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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"92686d1e-5985-40e1-80f3-6f5a54f55b39","competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Xavi gave Cubarsi La Liga debut</li><li>Teenager joins Yamal in starting XI</li><li>Barca need three points against Betis</li></ul>

Barcelona start TWO 16-year-olds in must-win clash with Real Betis as La Liga debutant Pau Cubarsi joins Lamine Yamal in Xavi's lineup

LaLiga

Valencia

Real Betis

Celta Vigo

Barcelona

<p>The reigning Spanish champions lined up with centre-back Cubarsi being given the nod to start just days after making his senior debut against Unionistas in the Copa del Rey. He joins fellow academy graduate Lamine Yamal as the youngest players on the team. Cubarsi could make it a very happy birthday with a good display as he turns 17 on Monday.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pau Cubarsí is starting and making his La Liga debut today. He is only 16 years old. 🙌<br><br>He turns 17 tomorrow. 🎂😏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadeInLaMasia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadeInLaMasia</a> 💎 <a href="https://t.co/If9TvTYrGz">pic.twitter.com/If9TvTYrGz</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1749106485169107370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Xavi was full of praise for the defender after he played 45 minutes against the third-tier opposition in midweek, saying: "Cubarsí is ready to play tomorrow and in any game. He played with great personality in the Cup and he did very well. We have a lot of hope for him. He’s very young but we believe he’s ready."</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FC Barcelona's starting lineup today:<br><br>• Pau Cubarsí: 16 years old.<br>• Lamine Yamal: 16 years old.<br><br>The future is here 💫 <a href="https://t.co/uMLvtkSITy">pic.twitter.com/uMLvtkSITy</a></p>— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManagingBarca/status/1749104936988905521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT XAVI SAID

<p>While Cubarsi gets his first run out in the Spanish top-flight, Yamal has almost established himself as a first-team star. He has featured in all 19 of Barca's La Liga matches this season - seven from the start - and played all six of their Champions League matches.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Xavi will hope his young players rise to the occasion as his team are in danger of falling out of the title race in La Liga. Their struggles have sparked reports that Xavi is under pressure at the Catalan club and could be forced out if results don't improve soon.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Barcelona start TWO 16-year-olds in must-win clash with Real Betis as La Liga debutant Pau Cubarsi joins Lamine Yamal in Xavi's lineup | Goal.com

Barcelona coach Xavi named two 16-year-olds in his starting XI for the match against Real Betis as Pau Cubarsi was handed his La Liga debut.

Barcelona start TWO 16-year-olds in must-win clash with Real Betis as La Liga debutant Pau Cubarsi joins Lamine Yamal in Xavi&apos;s lineup