"Will be one of the best defenders in football history" - Bayern boss Vincent Kompany makes bold claim about Barcelona star

Barcelona are set to host Bayern Munich in a highly anticipated Champions League clash on Wednesday, October 23. Ahead of the game, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany praised Barca’s young centre-back Pau Cubarsi.

Cubarsi, 17, has been impressive for La Blaugrana since his debut at the start of the year. He has gone from strength to strength and solidified his reputation as a top prospect during Barcelona’s victory over Napoli in last season’s Champions League knockout rounds.

The Spaniard received further acclaim for his performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals, despite Barcelona’s eventual exit. This season, under Hansi Flick, Cubarsi has picked up where he left off, having featured in all of Barcelona’s matches across all competitions.

Vincent Kompany, who was among the best centre-backs in the world during his playing career, has stated that Cubarsi is an exceptional talent. Kompany believes Cubarshi has the potential to become one of the best defenders in the world.

“Pau Cubarsi will be one of the best defenders in football history. He is young and impressive. If injuries spare him, he will be a great player,” he said (via Barca Times on X).

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick himself praised the defender ahead of the game, highlighting his ability to read the game and excel in one-versus-one situations.

“Pau is very intelligent and adapts very well to his opponent. He is very good in one-on-one situations, even without the ball,” he stated after Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Sevilla (via Barca Universal).

Cubarsi’s impressive performances also earned him a call-up to the Spain national team, where he has already made three appearances this year. He is widely viewed as a centre-back with immense potential, a recognition underscored by his nomination for the 2024 Kopa Trophy.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expects a tough game against Bayern Munich

La Blaugrana have made a strong start to the season, as they currently sit at the top of the La Liga standings with nine wins in ten games. They did, however, stumble in the Champions League with a 1-2 loss to Monaco but bounced back impressively with a 5-0 victory over Young Boys in match-week 2.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are also leading the Bundesliga standings, though they suffered a defeat to Aston Villa in the Champions League (1-0). Despite Bayern’s mixed results, Flick believes that the German side will present a significant challenge to his in-form Barca team.

"Bayern are playing a very good season. Vincent Kompany and his staff are doing an excellent job. They’re pressing very high and are brave with and without the ball. It’s going to be a tough game. But we’ll try to do our best and we’re ready for tomorrow,” he said (via Yahoo Sports).

This is certainly a crucial clash for both teams, as they currently sit in 15th and 16th place in the Champions League table. Moreover, it promises to be an intriguing contest, considering both managers’ attacking approach.