Flick’s defence steadies thanks to injury‑free Cubarsi and Martin

In the Camp Nou locker room, Hansi Flick reviews the injury list that has made squad availability a priority for the German manager since his 2024/25 arrival. A report from SPORT highlighted that Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin are the only two outfield players among twenty‑three footballers to have avoided missing a Barcelona match through injury since Flick took charge.

Established stars battle recurring injuries

Meanwhile, several established players, including Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pedri, have struggled with recurring physical problems. Their absence has forced Flick to constantly adjust a defence that now relies on the continuity provided by the two ever‑available defenders.

Cubarsi and Martin’s durability shines

Cubarsi has featured in 117 matches since the start of the 2024/25 season, missing only sixteen fixtures. Two of those absences were due to suspension rather than injury. An ankle problem suffered while representing Spain in March 2025 did not keep him out of Barcelona’s matches. Consequently, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin have never missed a game through injury for Flick.

Martin has taken part in 107 matches over the same period. He has missed twenty‑five fixtures, all resulting from the manager’s selection decisions rather than physical issues. The left‑footed defender did suffer a metacarpal fracture, but the injury occurred after the season had concluded and therefore did not affect his availability for Barcelona.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny can technically be counted among Barcelona’s injury‑free players since joining in October 2024, although he has made only forty‑three appearances. He has remained fit, despite picking up the flu. However, Szczesny missed a Barcelona fixture because of gastroenteritis, meaning his record does not represent uninterrupted availability.

Cubarsi and Martin stand out because their records have been maintained despite considerably greater involvement on the pitch. Andreas Christensen, by contrast, has accumulated four hundred and thirty‑three days on the sidelines through injuries, more than a year away from competitive football. His prolonged absences have deprived Flick of a reliable defensive option and prompted the move of Gerard Martin into the centre‑back role from his usual left‑back position.