"It was clear that he was very talented" - Ilkay Gundogan heaps praise on Barcelona defender
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan heaped praise on Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi while speaking about his time at the Catalan club. The 34-year-old joined Barca in 2023, leaving the Cityzens on a free transfer. He spent a year at the Camp Nou before returning to the Premier League champions.
His time with Barca was full of remarkable moments, as he revealed on The Ranveer Show. Gundogan also had the opportunity to play and train alongside some of the Catalan club's most exciting youngsters, including teenage defender Pau Cubarsi.
Speaking about the 17-year-old centre-back, Ilkay Gundogan said (via Barca Universal):
“Before Cubarsi started with the first team, I watched him in training and it was clear that he was very talented. I was surprised because I didn’t know him when I joined, I thought he was 20 or 21 because he looked mature and had a strong personality and his decisions were like those of a 25-year-old player. I was talking to one of Xavi’s assistants and he told me he was only 17 and that’s when I was shocked!”
Gundogan played 51 games during his one year at Barca, scoring five goals and creating 14 assists.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick pushes team to excel in the Supercopa final
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is hoping for his side to come out on top in their upcoming Supercopa de Espana final against Real Madrid on Sunday (January 12). The two sides will face off at the King Abdullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to the press ahead of the El Clasico clash, the German tactician said (via club's official website):
"At the end of the day, we have to do our job. We have to prepare the team well, that's what's important. It's a big game for everyone, it's a Clásico in the Super Cup, and it would be fantastic if we could win. It will be a boost for our confidence going into the rest of the season."
A series of off-pitch controversies have affected the club, including the uncertainty around Dani Olmo and Pau Victor's registration. However, Flick urged his players to "forget the noise," adding:
"My players need to forget the noise going on around them, we have to be strong ourselves ... The way we want to play is the Barça way, which did us so well in the last Clásico. We won't be doing anything different. But one Clásico can't be compared with the other. Tomorrow we will start from 0-0 and we just want to play well and win."
Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on January 8 in the semifinals, while Real Madrid beat Mallorca 3-0 on January 9 to book a spot in the summit clash.
