Pau Cubarsi was substituted off in the quarterfinal first leg vs Netherlands after he picked up a knock. Tests revealed that the youngster only has a sprain in his right ankle and not an injury. He was taken off as a precaution as Spain’s management did not want to take any risks with the 18-year-old centre-back.
Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente said it was not a serious situation but they would be cautious.
“Cubarsi only has a small sprain. We hope and want him to be with us on Sunday. In principle, it does not seem serious and we have to monitor him, but of course, we will not risk anything.”
The news was not a happy one among Barca fans and even rival captain Virgil Van Dijk expressed concern over Cubarsi’s situation. Van Dijk: “Pau CubarsĂ?He’s exceptional. I think he has enormous talent and is a special player. Just 18 years old and playing at this level, it’s already impressive. He also looks for long passes, a lot, and he’s good at that. I felt sad about his injury.”
Yesterday Pau Cubarsi left the Spain camp and returned to Barcelona as both the national team and the club did not want to take any risks.
Further tests have ruled out a sprain but the club is still being cautious. There is a centre-back crisis at Barca after Inigo Martinez’s injury and Araujo’s possible unavailability. The centre-back is direly needed on 28th March for the La Liga clash vs Osasuna.