FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has to come up with a plan to contain Kylian Mbappé during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie. One of the players that might be asked to defend the Frenchman is Pau Cubarsí.
Cubarsí played well in the second leg against Napoli in the Round of 16. However, it’s another task to ask the 17-year-old to defend arguably the best player in the world right now.
Nonetheless, with the potential uncertainty with Jules Koundé, who suffered an injury during France’s 2-0 loss to Germany this weekend, Cubarsí might have to step up.
PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz is teammates with the young defender on the Spanish national team and weighed on how the Barcelona standout will fare should he have to defend the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
“In the few matches he has played, Pau has shown the level he possesses,” Ruiz told SPORT. “[…] Mbappé is one of the best players in the world. It will be a beautiful duel. Fortunately, we have Kylian by our side.”
🇪🇸Fabian Ruiz sur un potentiel duel entre Mbappé et Pau Cubarsí a Sport
«Dans les quelques matchs qu'il a disputés, Pau montre tout le niveau qu'il possède.[…]Mbappé est l'un des meilleurs joueurs au monde. Ce sera un beau duel. Heureusement, nous avons Kylian à nos côtés.» pic.twitter.com/euW21UITgs
— Paris_SGINFOS (@Paris_SGINFOS) March 24, 2024
Mbappé already has a hat-trick scored when facing Barcelona during the matchup in 2021. An injured and inexperienced backline could allow him to have another memorable performance against the Catalan side
