The FIFA virus hits Barça at the worst possible time.
Pau Cubarsí requests a substitution due to ankle discomfort before the break in the Netherlands-Spain match.
BarcelonaFive minutes before halftime in the 8:45 p.m. match between the Netherlands and Spain, Pau Cubarsí sat down on the ground and asked to be substituted. While waiting for the first reports, it appeared, judging by his gestures, that the 18-year-old Barça center back had been bothered by discomfort in his right ankle. He was replaced by the equally young (19-year-old) Dean Huijsen, a center back for English club Bournemouth. Despite being born in Amsterdam, he chose to play for Spain because he grew up in Andalusia.
The FIFA virus is hitting Barça at its worst point of the season, just after Hansi Flick has ruled out Marc Casadó for almost the entire remainder of the season. Iñigo Martínez, also nursing discomfort in his right knee, decided to stay in Barcelona and not travel with Spain, who are playing the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinals in Rotterdam this Thursday. The return leg is this Sunday at Mestalla (Valencia).
The extent of Cubarsí's discomfort, Barça's starting center back, will have to be monitored. Next Thursday, the Blaugranas will play against Osasuna at 9 p.m. in the match postponed due to the death of Dr. Carles Miñarro. The Blaugranas will likely be without Ronald Araujo, who will arrive just in time for the match because he is called up to the Uruguay national team during this international break, as is Raphinha, who is training with Brazil.