Pau Cubarsi has taken responsility for his actions during FC Barcelona’s 2–0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Softfootball reports.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via his official X channel has shared a post-match statement from Pau Cubarsi after the young defender received a straight red card.
Cubarsí was sent off following a VAR-reviewed foul on Giuliano Simeone, a moment that proved pivotal in the outcome of the match. Reflecting on the incident, the Barcelona defender took full responsibility, admitting that a single action can change the course of a game.
Despite the setback, Cubarsí emphasized unity within the squad, describing the team as a family and vowing to continue fighting ahead of the decisive second leg. His response has been widely viewed as a sign of maturity and leadership, particularly given his young age and growing importance within the team.
Romano shared:
Pau Cubarsí: One action determines the match and affects the outcome. That’s how football is, and I take responsibility for what happened. There’s still a road ahead for us to travel; we are more united than ever: we are a family, and we’ve always proven that. Forward, with effort and determination, and we will never lower our arms.
The red card left Barcelona at a numerical disadvantage, which Atlético capitalized on, with goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth securing a strong first-leg advantage. However, manager Hansi Flick has continued to back his players publicly, despite also criticizing VAR decisions after the match.
Meanwhile, Flick has been urged to maintain his current defensive setup, highlighting Cubarsí’s partnership with Gerard Martin as one of Barcelona’s most effective centre-back pairings this season.
With the tie still alive, Barcelona will look to regroup and produce a strong response in the return leg.
