Wonderkid Cubarsi's Mbappe matchup key to Barca hopes

BARCELONA — The resurrection of Barcelona's defense gives the Spanish champion hope ahead of its Champions League duel with Paris Saint-Germain and youngster Pau Cubarsi's emergence has played a major role.

The 17-year-old has become essential for coach Xavi Hernandez and debuted for the Spanish national team in March, highlighting his meteoric rise.

Cubarsi has shown he can handle the pressure at elite level — just as well, for on Wednesday Cubarsi will face arguably the world's finest forward in PSG's Kylian Mbappe, in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash in Paris.

It might turn out to be the start of a regular rivalry if, as widely expected, Real Madrid seals the France captain's signing in the summer.

Facing Mbappe is a huge challenge for the teenager, who has been crucial in reviving a Barcelona rearguard which has spent much of the season in tatters.

Last season the Catalan side conceded just 20 goals in its conquest of La Liga, but it had shipped that amount by January in the current campaign.

Scrambling for solutions, Xavi gave Cubarsi his first start against Real Betis later that month and he has rapidly established himself, showing maturity beyond his years.

Cubarsi helped Barca reach the Champions League last eight for the first time in four seasons.

Xavi, not yet all-in on the teenager by the time Barcelona faced Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 tie in February, opted for Inigo Martinez instead.

The veteran defender's error allowed Napoli to equalize for a 1-1 draw and Cubarsi started in the second leg, putting in an immaculate performance as Barcelona triumphed 3-1.

"It's been one of the best days of my life," said Cubarsi after being handed the man-of-the-match award. "The team deserves this trophy."

A stylish, assured defender even at his young age, Cubarsi's ability on the ball is crucial for Barcelona to start building attacks from the back.

"Cubarsi is intelligent, he knows when to challenge and when not to," Xavi said in March.

Against Mbappe, however, it will be all hands to the pump.

Cubarsi will need his teammate Ronald Araujo alert and at his best level after a midseason dip. The Uruguayan is quick and if anyone can help contain Mbappe, he has the best chance.

Barcelona has kept five clean sheets in its last six performances, with Cubarsi critical in that improvement.

His newfound starting status has allowed Xavi to deploy Andreas Christensen in defensive midfield, fixing a problem position for the team.

Barca signed Oriol Romeu after Sergio Busquets left for Inter Miami, but the La Masia graduate has not impressed in the holding role and Xavi started playing Frenkie de Jong there instead.

The switch unbalanced Barca's midfield, given the Dutchman is not a natural defensive player, and contributed to the leaky defense.

Jules Kounde has also featured more at rightback, rather than at centerback where he started the season, and that has also given Barcelona better balance.

Alejandro Balde's injury led Xavi to deploy Joao Cancelo at leftback and, with Kounde on the right, the Spanish champion looks significantly more solid than with two attacking fullbacks.

'Era-defining'

Lamine Yamal's emergence in attack has helped Barcelona keep its attacking thrust despite the more defensive setup, while Raphinha on the other flank works hard defensively.

"I think we're looking at two players who can define an era at the club, and even in world football," said Xavi of teenagers Cubarsi and Yamal.

Barcelona has conceded five goals across both legs on the past two occasions it has faced PSG in the knockout stage.

Most recent was the last-16 defeat in 2021, with the relentless Mbappe netting four times over the two legs.

Barcelona would be terrified of facing the France captain again were it not for the team's newfound solidarity.

AFP