Pau Cubarsi has warned Barcelona they must remain fully focused for the entire 90 minutes because Kylian Mbappe is capable of deciding El Clasico on his own.
Barcelona face Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday evening in the 10th round of La Liga, with Cubarsi highlighting the quality available to their opponents and the need to limit the chances they create.
The defender was particularly asked about Real Madrid’s Ivorian player Yan Diomande, who he believes has impressed in recent matches.
“Diomande has produced very strong performances in the last few games, and Real Madrid now have very clear ideas about the way they want to play,” Cubarsi told ESPN.
“We have to concentrate properly to try to stop him, as well as the rest of the players, so that we reduce the opportunities they can create as much as possible and give ourselves a better chance of winning.”
Cubarsi also praised Brazilian forward Endrick, saying he had begun to find his rhythm after initially having limited opportunities.
“Endrick is a very good player and has great potential,” said the Spain international. “Perhaps he did not get many chances at the beginning, but he is now starting to gain match rhythm and recover his form.
“He is also one of the players we have to pay close attention to.”
Real Madrid will be without Vinicius Junior for the match, but Cubarsi said Barcelona’s preparations were not centred on which players were unavailable to their opponents.
“To be honest, we do not focus too much on the players the opposition have,” he said. “When we know the starting line-up, we prepare mentally to face the players we will need to stop, but we also take into account the players who are on the bench.”
The defender was then asked how he would prepare to face Mbappe, who he identified as the greatest individual threat.
“Mbappe is a player with incredible ability and he can make the difference by himself,” Cubarsi said. “You have to maintain your concentration for the full 90 minutes, because you know he can decide the match at any moment.
“That is why we have to be as focused as possible against him.”
