Medical report on Cubarsí: the center-back could play in Barça-Osasuna

The initial tests conducted on Saturday on Pau Cubarsí identified a strain of the anterior tibiofibular ligament in the right ankle, sustained during the first half of the match between Spain and the Netherlands held on Thursday in Rotterdam. The FC Barcelona center-back left the field in the 40th minute due to a strong tackle from former Barça forward, Memphis Depay.

Initially, Luis de la Fuente and the medical staff of the National Team considered it to be just a bruise, but Barcelona requested the Federation for the return of the 18-year-old defender as a precaution, which finally happened on Friday. However, the coaching staff of La Roja believed that Pau could be available for the rematch against the Netherlands this Sunday.

How long could Pau Cubarsí be out?

Finally, the tests conducted by the Barça doctors identified an injury whose recovery time cannot yet be specified, as it will depend on how the player responds to conservative treatment. Generally, strains in the tibiofibular ligament usually require rest of 1 to 3 weeks, as long as they are mild. If the strain is moderate, the recovery time doubles, from 3 to 6 weeks.

On the other hand, if it is a severe problem that leads to a partial tear of the ligament, the player could be out for 6 to 12 weeks. In Cubarsí's case, all signs point to it being a mild injury, so his presence in the rescheduled match of matchday 27 of La Liga against Osasuna is not yet ruled out. That day, the center-back will have completed a week since suffering the ankle blow, so the inflammation in the area should have subsided by then.

Barcelona, cautious about Pau Cubarsí's return

Beyond that, the club will conduct further tests 48 hours later (on Monday) to determine the extent of the injury and the actual recovery time. Cubarsí has accumulated 3,195 minutes of action spread over 42 matches this season and has only missed the return leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Benfica due to suspension.

In the rest of the competitions (La Liga, Cup, and Supercup) he has played minutes in all matches contested by the team managed by Hansi Flick. However, the coach will not take any risks with the player from Estanyol and is likely to reserve him for the match on Sunday the 30th against Girona (La Liga) or, alternatively, for the return leg of the Cup semifinals against Atlético de Madrid, on Wednesday, April 2 at the Metropolitano.