Barca hoping for speedy recovery from defender following gruesome face injury

Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi was the number one concern for the Catalan giants after he left the pitch during their 5-2 win over Crvena Zvezda clutching his face with a towel. Soaked in blood, it looks as if Cubarsi will be OK.

Photos of the 17-year-old after the game seem to suggest he was in reasonably good spirits, having just received 10 stitches his face. However Sport report that he should be available for their weekend clash with Real Sociedad on Sunday night, and did not mention any form of facial protection.

Given his idol, as he has pointed out is Carles Puyol, it makes sense that Cubarsi has some of the same warrior-attitude as the former Barcelona captain, who was nicknamed ‘Tarzan’. Cubarsi is also likely to be included in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for their next two Nations League games against Switzerland and Denmark. If there are no concerns about aggravating the injury, all signs suggest Hansi Flick will start him at Anoeta.