Panic in Lisbon! Barça is left with ten due to Cubarsí's expulsion

Pau Cubarsí left FC Barcelona with ten in the 22nd minute against Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The azulgrana center-back made the worst decision by bringing down the Greek Vangelis Pavlidis on the edge of the area, just as the home forward was heading for a one-on-one with Wojciech Szczesny. The '2' took too much risk and, failing to make contact with the ball, ended up bringing down the 'Eagles' scorer.

Referee Felix Zwayer did not hesitate to show the red card to the 18-year-old defender, being the last man in the action. However, Pavlidis's run was preceded by a possible foul on Frenkie de Jong in midfield, while contesting an aerial ball, which was overlooked by the German referee. The decision was confirmed by VAR and, on the free kick, Szczesny prevented Kocku's goal with a fantastic save.

Dani Olmo, the sacrificed one to cover for Pau Cubarsí's absence

Pau's expulsion came at the best moment for a Barça that, minutes earlier, had forced an incredible triple save from Trubin, who responded with feline reflexes to attempts from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. For Cubarsí, this is the first red card of his career and revives the nightmare unleashed last season, in the quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, when Ronald Araujo received a straight red card in the return match, also in the first half (29th minute).

The 'charrúa' was chosen this time to fill the gap left by the young player, with Dani Olmo being the sacrificed one in midfield to reorganize the culé defense. Dani had started the match very actively, with a couple of steals and a shot from the edge that went slightly wide. Pau himself had also attempted a header saved by Trubin without much trouble. It was a shame for the '2', as he will also miss the return leg next week in Montjuïc. 

This season, Barça had already suffered an early expulsion in the Champions League. It was in matchday 1, when Eric García saw red against Monaco in the 11th minute. The team from the Principality took advantage to end up winning the match (2-1), which has so far been the only azulgrana defeat in the tournament. Against Benfica, the culés managed to hold the draw until halftime, thanks to Szczesny's interventions.