Just two Barcelona players featured in Spain’s starting lineup against Czechia on Thursday in Prague, as SPORT reported.
Manager Luis de la Fuente deployed a youthful side featuring Pau Cubarsí and Fermín López among the initial eleven. The change moved away from tournament fixtures where three or four Catalan club starters usually anchored the national team.
Pedri González and Joan Garcia began the UEFA Nations League fixture on the bench. Several heavyweights missed the international window entirely due to injury or technical decisions, including Gavi, Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal.
De la Fuente turned to fresh talent by pairing Cubarsí alongside Dean Huijsen in central defense. Aymeric Laporte was ruled out while Robin Le Normand has struggled to find his best form, cementing the young partnership at the back.
Cubarsí delivered a commanding display in Prague. The Estanyol defender completed 94 percent of his passes, won four of five duels, secured three aerial duels, recorded four clearances, and tallied two recoveries alongside 15 progressive carries, SPORT reported.
The performance came just days after confirmation that the young center-back will receive the 2026 Golden Boy trophy in Turin on December 14. Alongside him, Fermín López seized a surprise starting role. The midfielder stepped in for the injured Dani Olmo and beat Mikel Merino for a spot in the XI.
Fermín finished the match with a 7.4 Sofascore rating, landing 87 percent of his passes and completing three of four dribbles, SPORT reported. He particularly energized a sluggish Spanish side during the opening half by exploiting spaces behind the Czech defensive line. Yet the midfielder admitted in the mixed zone that he remains without a senior international goal after failing to convert his chances.
For Barcelona supporters, seeing Pedri play only the final 15 minutes offered substantial relief. The midfielder ranks second in total minutes played for his club this season, making his limited national team exposure a welcome reprieve ahead of Sunday’s domestic clash against English opposition at the Metropolitano Stadium. Joan Garcia remained unused on the bench throughout the match.
The heavy absence of core internationals forced a stark reconfiguration of the Spanish roster. With domestic stars sidelined in Spain due to physical setbacks or tactical rotation, De la Fuente leaned heavily on younger prospects to shoulder the burden in central Europe.
Cubarsí and Huijsen stood up to the physical demands of the Czech attack. The defensive pairing maintained a high passing accuracy and stifled transition plays before they gathered momentum. Cubarsí completed four of six long balls, demonstrating the progressive distribution that has made him a fixture for both club and country.
Fermín operated with high intensity throughout his time on the pitch. He completed four of six passes into the penalty area and recorded 11 passes in the final third. Though he missed two scoring opportunities, his movement created the primary outlet for a visiting side that struggled to unlock the block early on.
Pedri entered the match only in the closing stages, keeping his total exertion low despite his heavy workload across domestic and European fixtures.
The coaching staff balanced international requirements with preventative rest, ensuring the Canary Islander avoided unnecessary wear.
Joan Garcia did not leave the substitutes’ bench in Prague.
Spain prepares for its next fixture against England at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Squad evaluations continue as medical staff assess fitness levels ahead of the domestic league resumption.
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