Bloodied Barcelona star forced into early exit from Red Star clash

Barcelona star Pau Cubarsí was this evening forced into a premature departure from the club’s meeting with Red Star Belgrade.

Hansi Flick’s Barca are of course currently locked in action on the continent.

Flying high fresh off six successive victories across all competitions, the Blaugrana have made the trip to Serbia, for a Champions League meeting with the aforementioned Red Star.

And, as things stand in Belgrade, the evening’s visitors are well on their way to another three-point haul.

This comes with goals on the part of all of Iñigo Martínez, Robert Lewandowski (2), Raphinha and Fermín López having guided Barcelona into a 5-2 lead.

As alluded to above, though, amid an otherwise positive night’s work to date for the Catalans, they have also been dealt a blow on the personnel front.

After bravely throwing his head into a challenge in the Red Star penalty area, Pau Cubarsí was the recipient of a kick to the face, leaving the defender floored and bloodied.

Tended to by the visitors’ medical team, the youngster was in turn hooked from proceedings, with an update on his wellbeing expected post-match.

Conor Laird – GSFN