Barcelona 17-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi was named Man of the Match as the Spanish giants smashed past Napoli to reach the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League at the expense of Victor Osimhen’s Napoli.
Barcelona won 3-1 in the return leg tie to go through to the last-eight 4-2 on aggregate.
Cubarsi, from the famous La Masia academy of Barcelona, posted a stunning UCL debut by locking out one of the most feared strikers in Europe for the entire duration of this clash.
“Xavi (Barcelona coach) gave me all the details to try and stop Osimhen,” revealed Cubarsi, whose overall performance on the night was rated a 7.7 as against a 5.9 awarded Osimhen.
Xavi was equally lavish in his praise for the highly-rated defender.
“Cubarsí was never nervous, always finding the ‘free man’. He creates time for himself, he dictates the tempo – it’s simply spectacular watching him play!,” he saluted.
Very early on in the game Cubarsi produced a timely tackle to stop Osimhen on his way to goal.
In the second half, it was again the youngster who ensured the Super Eagles striker did not connect a dangerous cut-back by Zambo Anguissa.
Osimhen had only a shot on target on a disappointing night for both he and Napoli.
Aboluwade God’s Treasure (AGT)
