Drama in Barcelona! Pau Cubarsí leaves injured with Spain

Pau Cubarsí raised all the alarms at FC Barcelona this Thursday. The 18-year-old center-back suffered a strong blow to his right ankle in the first half of the match between Spain and the Netherlands held in Rotterdam, in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. Initially, it is likely that the Catalan defender has suffered a mild sprain.

The Barça center-back suffered a tough tackle from former teammate Memphis Depay after half an hour of play while contesting a loose ball. The defender immediately felt a sharp pain in the area but was able to keep jogging for a couple more minutes. However, he ended up lying on the grass in the 39th minute, requesting medical attention.

Cubarsí could only play 40 minutes against the Netherlands

Although the '4' of the national team walked off on his own, a positive sign for his recovery. Luis de la Fuente preferred to call on debutant Dean Huijsen. The 19-year-old center-back, who has shone this season with Bournemouth, came on in the 40th minute, with a Spain that had diminished after a promising start to the match.

Pending the corresponding medical tests, all signs point to Cubarsí having suffered an ankle sprain. We can only wait to know the extent of an injury that will almost certainly force him to return to Catalonia this weekend. Spain will play the second leg against the Netherlands next Sunday at Mestalla, a match where Ferran Torres is ruled out due to a muscle injury this Thursday.

Maximum concern at Barça for Cubarsí

In this sense, the situation for Barça's defense is beginning to take on dramatic tones as they prepare to return to action after the break. Hansi Flick's team will be forced to play next Thursday against Osasuna in the postponed match of matchday 27 of LaLiga, a match for which Iñigo Martínez is already ruled out. Additionally, it is very likely that Ronald Araujo will also not be available, as he will arrive just in time after playing two matches with Uruguay, one of them on Tuesday.

While waiting to know the extent of Pau's problem with his right ankle, Eric García would be the only available center-back to face the 'rojillos', along with Sergi Domínguez. An absence of two weeks would also complicate the presence of the 18-year-old center-back in the second leg of the Copa semi-finals against Atlético on Wednesday, April 2. With Iñigo out for at least three weeks, injuries are once again complicating life for Barça due to the 'FIFA virus'.