Pau Cubarsi warns Kylian Mbappe can decide El Clasico at any moment

Pau Cubarsi has warned that Kylian Mbappe can settle El Clasico on his own as Barcelona prepare to face Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday evening.

The La Liga meeting, which is part of the 10th round of the season, will see Barcelona attempt to contain a Real Madrid side with several players capable of changing the match. Cubarsi said his team would need to remain focused throughout the contest to limit the opportunities created by their opponents.

Speaking to ESPN, the Barcelona defender also highlighted the recent form of Ivorian forward Yan Diomande.

“Diomande has been performing at a high level in recent matches, and Real Madrid now have very clear ideas about the way they play,” said the Spain international.

“We have to concentrate properly and try to stop him, as well as the rest of the players, so that we reduce the chances they can create as much as possible and give ourselves a greater opportunity to win.”

Cubarsi also identified Brazilian striker Endrick as another player Barcelona must monitor carefully.

“Endrick is a very good player and has great potential,” he said. “Perhaps he did not get many opportunities at the beginning, but he is now starting to gain match rhythm and recover his pace.

“He is also one of the players we have to pay close attention to.”

Vinicius Junior’s absence from the match was put to Cubarsi, along with the suggestion that it could benefit Barcelona. However, the defender said his preparations were based primarily on the players named in Real Madrid’s starting line-up, while also taking the substitutes into account.

“To be honest, we do not focus too much on the players the opposition have,” Cubarsi said. “When we know the starting line-up, we prepare mentally to face the players we will need to stop, but we also keep in mind the players who are on the bench.”

The Barcelona defender was then asked how he would prepare to face Mbappe, who remains one of Real Madrid’s most dangerous attacking threats.

“Mbappe is a player with enormous ability and he can make the difference by himself,” Cubarsi said. “You have to maintain your concentration for the full 90 minutes because you know he is capable of deciding the match at any moment.

“That is why we must be at our highest level of concentration against him.”