Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi delivered a standout performance against Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the 1-3 defeat in Germany, which marked their first loss of 2025, the 18-year-old showed impressive maturity and composure.
Speaking after the game, Cubarsi reflected positively on the result, even though the team didn’t perform at their best.
“We have to be happy because it’s been a long time since we reached the semifinals. I haven’t seen the tie in jeopardy. We need to do some real self-criticism; we didn’t play the way we wanted,” he began saying.
For the teenager, the timing of the defeat mattered more than the defeat itself.
“It’s the first defeat of 2025. If at some point we had to lose a game, it had better be today because if it was a close one, we were in.”
Jules Kounde takes the stage
Jules Kounde, meanwhile, did not hide his disappointment after the full-time whistle.
Even though Barça secured their spot in the Champions League semi-finals, the Frenchman acknowledged that the team put on one of their weakest displays of the season.
“Today I feel even more disappointed with the performance we played. We lacked everything we did well in the first leg, a bit of everything.
“We knew it would be difficult in front of an extraordinary crowd, but tonight we weren’t up to scratch. We made mistakes and oversights. In the end, it was a bad game,” he noted.
Still, he chose to focus on the bigger picture.“I’m disappointed because I know the team can do much better, but we have to keep going and not stop doing what we do well.
“We have dreamed of winning the Champions League. There’s still one more step to go to reach the final and also to stay alive in all competitions.”
Ronald Araujo’s turn
Lastly, Ronald Araujo expressed similar thoughts. The Uruguayan acknowledged the team did not have their best game in Dortmund but was quick to highlight the importance of qualification.
“First of all, I’m happy. We’re in the semi-finals after a long time, and the club deserves it. We’ve been working well lately, and it was important to reach the semifinals,
He also pointed out that this is a personal milestone for him. “I’ve never reached the semifinals, so I’m happy because we’re doing well. The tie was over two legs, so I’m happy,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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