Home / Sports / Flick's Caution: Cubarsi's Gamper Rest Amidst Elche Opener
Flick's Caution: Cubarsi's Gamper Rest Amidst Elche Opener
20 Aug
Summary
- Pau Cubarsi rested for the Gamper Trophy to manage workload.
- Cubarsi played all 750 minutes of Spain's World Cup matches.
- Flick prioritizes Cubarsi's fitness for the La Liga season opener.
Pau Cubarsi, a key player for Spain in their recent World Cup victory, was an unused substitute in FC Barcelona's Joan Gamper Trophy match. Manager Hansi Flick opted to rest the young defender as part of a carefully managed workload plan, ensuring his readiness for the upcoming La Liga season.
Cubarsi played a remarkable 750 minutes across eight World Cup matches, receiving the tournament's Best Young Player award for his stellar performances and forming a strong partnership that conceded only one goal. This heavy in-game time has led to a strategy of gradual return to action.
While Cubarsi is expected to be available for Barcelona's La Liga opener against Elche on Sunday, he is not anticipated to start. Flick's priority is to manage the player's physical condition, even without significant injury concerns, to ensure he is at peak performance when selected.
This situation presents Flick with a selection dilemma at center-back, where he must decide between Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen to partner Gerard Martín, with Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde set to fill the full-back positions.
