Hansi Flick has been advised not to alter Barcelona’s centre-back pairing, with Softfootball analysts stressing that Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín have been the club’s most effective defensive duo this season.
Both players have developed strong understanding and chemistry, consistently delivering solid performances at the back. Analysts recommend that this partnership should remain unchanged unless due to injury or squad rotation for less important matches.
It is believed that introducing Eric García into the centre-back role alongside Pau Cubarsí could be detrimental to the team’s defensive balance. While García remains a useful player within the squad, particularly across defensive positions, his presence in central defence is seen to disrupt Cubarsí’s comfort and rhythm.
Gerard Martín has been described as a defensive rock, with Barcelona maintaining an impressive record when he starts. As of 20 March 2026, the team has not lost a single match with Martín in the lineup, recording only one draw which is the 1:1 result against Newcastle.
This highlights the strength of the Cubarsí & Martín partnership, which has proven to be both reliable and consistent. While Eric García can still contribute by rotating across positions with players such as João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, and Jules Koundé, analysts maintain that the centre-back pairing should remain intact to preserve defensive stability.
