Ernesto Valverde names Barcelona star who made it ‘impossible’ for his team to execute game plan

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde has on Saturday night singled one member of Barcelona’s defensive ranks out for special praise.

This, of course, comes fresh off Athletic being put to the sword by Barca in Catalunya’s capital.

The two sides locked horns in a La Liga clash a short time ago, with goals on the part of Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski having proven enough to guide the evening’s hosts to the right side of a 2-1 scoreline.

En route to as much, a number of Blaugrana stars shone, with the likes of Raphinha, Pedri and Lamine having all been hailed post-match.

It was another member of Hansi Flick’s squad, though, who in fact proved himself the decisive figure in thwarting the plans of Athletic Club.

As much was confirmed by the aforementioned Ernesto Valverde in his press conference at Montjuïc, with the Spanish tactician having pointed towards Pau Cubarsí as the player in question:

“We wanted to stop Barça playing out from the back but it was almost impossible because Pau Cubarsi didn’t miss a single pass.”

Conor Laird | GSFN