Barcelona content with Luis de la Fuente’s decision to exclude €40m defender from matchday squad – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona received some welcome news earlier today when it was revealed that Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente left Pau Cubarsi out of the matchday squad to face Denmark following their repeated request.

Cubarsi was initially not a part of the squad that De La Fuente called up for the November international break. However, the 17-year-old made it to the list after an injury to Aston Villa star Pau Torres, who had to pull out.

The initial reason why the teenager was left out of the squad was due to a cut he suffered to his face in the game against Red Star Belgrade. At that point, it wasn’t clear if he would be fit but he did end up starting and playing the game against Real Sociedad.

Now, as per Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are content with Luis de la Fuente’s decision to leave Cubarsi out of the Spain squad for the Denmark game alongside Bryan Gil and Bryan Zaragoza, with the squad having to be trimmed down to 23.

The reason Barcelona was concerned was that Cubarsi was suffering from a bout of illness. He had been enduring vomiting and general discomfort, which had worsened on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, just before De la Fuente urgently called him up to cover for the injured Pau Torres.

The Catalan club communicated to the Spanish Football Federation the situation with the teenager. Dr. Ricard Pruna, head of Barça’s medical department, discussed Cubarsí’s condition with Dr. Claudio Vázquez Colomo, the medical head of the Spanish national team.

Hansi Flick was particularly concerned by Cubarsi’s potential involvement for Spain and Luis de la Fuente’s decision to leave him out has been very well received by Barcelona considering they are short of options at center-back.

It remains to be seen if Pau Cubarsi recovers in time to face Switzerland a few days later. Barcelona will hope he is not risked if he is not ready and only time will tell how Luis de la Fuente goes about handling the €40m-rated 17-year-old’s situation.