5 - Pau Cubarsí

Very, very happy for his performance and showing now that I'm not as gutted about Messi's last WC game.

He did Barcelona proud. A legend in the making.

For me, there are 2 types of championship players. The bus drivers and the bus riders. Cubarsi was the former. He is a true champion.
 
Used his chance and won the starting spot for Spain. If he doesn't fuck up, he'll remain there for 10+ years now. Can only benefit us, if he gets more experience from the NT too.
He just needs an experienced CB near him to guide him for the next 2-3 seasons until he's ready to take over the defense coordination. Martin ain't it.
 
serghei said:
He was great without the suicidal high line. Looks to be getting stronger also.
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One of Spain's CBs are almost always deep into the half of the other team during their build up while roaming. Usually Laporte.

So their line is also very high and both Porro and Cucurella also go up every chance they get.

NT football is different so not easy to compare + Spain got actual good FBs that can track back and you have to look after when they attack too.

That's not to say Flick shouldn't adjust it, but context is important.
 
Spain line and style is not even remotely comparable to flick.

But keep trying to put it on the players.

I didn't hear anyone raving about Porro before the world cup, but he played well aided by great tactics
 
Of course any defender will struggle more in a system which puts intense pressure on them defensively.

That doesn't mean the system is wrong, because there are trade-offs.

But we should also know how to evaluate the defenders based on that context. Cubarsi is one of the best if not the best CBs in the world, we have no problem with him here, even if he made a few mistakes in a very high line, as any defender would do.
 
Cubarsi only transferred his form from second half of the season to the world cup. I don't know what people are talking about now.

He is a phenomenal player, for Barcelona and for Spain.
 
Flick is far more direct and Spain is far more focused on controlling the game. This is why even if Spain play a high line, the amount of risks they take is much lower. Also, Spain are a low scoring side. They prioritize scoring and not conceding, Flick prioritizes outscoring teams, believing the risk of an exposed defense is worth it.

Spain will recycle the ball 10 times if they find no openings to pass without losing the ball. Flick's team risks it straight away. Which is why that high line has much more dangerous counters to block.
 
As much as I don't rate martin, we are just as likely to win the CL with him and cubarsi as we are with saliba and cubarsi.

Understand flick which is key
 
Flick has changed some things last season and is not impossible for him to get closer to Spanish football ideas. But it is no guarantee it will work better. We like to say Barca is a big part of this Spanish NT, and it is, but the whole back 6 only had a clear Barca starter in it.
 
I expect Cubarsi to keep a level head. He doesn't strike me as a guy that will let shenanigans affect him.

I see a bit of Puyol and Masche in him. Being focused on the job at hand and stepping up.
 
Richard.h said:
I have noticed this too. I rarely saw him getting bullied this tournament. Not sure if he changed his training routine, but it’s very apparent.
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Probably just growing up and becoming stronger naturally. It's easy to forget sometimes he just turned 19 this year himself.
 
There was a couple of instances where his defender got ahead of him and he held off the challenge, or when he was one on one and just slowed the attack down without trying to tackle.

Two situations that he previously got red cards for for us.

Experience is everything for centrals, great to see he learned and adapted. Unlike for example. Aroo Joe.
 
JamDav1982 said:
Argued that very point this season when many claimed he was vastly over rated and nowhere near one of best in world.

Barca have some of the worst fans going for not having a fucking clue what watching on a football pitch.

Rating likes of Cubarsi resulted in £1.7K win on Spain for this lad.
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You probably don't like me much Jammy, but I won't take it personal as you come across as not liking anyone here. :lol:

But I do love it when punters make nice sums from the bookies as, being my day job, I know just how scummy they are.

Genuinely, well done.
 
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