Andrés Cuenca Returns: The Ideal Partner for Cubarsí

The left-footed center-back from Juvenil A made his comeback against Cornellà after three months out due to a muscle injury. Hailing from Villafranca de Córdoba, at 16, he has been Pau Cubarsí’s perfect match in the heart of defense during his time at Barcelona’s youth academy, from the infantil to the cadete level. Swift Victory Andrés Cuenca, the Future Center-Back Barça’s Juvenil A completed one of the best matches of the season against Cornellà (4-1). Under Óscar López’s guidance, they managed to overcome a sturdy opponent on Sunday with goals from Pradas, Gistau, Juan, and Espart. Besides the excellent performance and the Blaugrana victory, the best news was the return of Andrés Cuenca. The Andalusian center-back hadn’t played since injuring himself against Espanyol. On December 10, 2023, Juvenil A drew 2-2 in Sant Adrià, a painful match for Óscar López’s side. Apart from the last-minute goal by the opposition costing them two points, Cuenca had to leave the field in the 55th minute due to physical issues. The defender from Adamuz suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for 12 weeks. During this period, Andrés missed 10 league matches, as well as two Copa del Rey games and one Youth League match. Excellent First Half of the Season Before his injury, Cuenca had started in nine league games with Juvenil A and played four matches in the Youth League. In those 13 matches, the Adamuz native had scored two goals and shown very positive signs. His transition from Ivan Carrasco’s Cadete A to Óscar López’s Juvenil A was proving to be smooth for one of the most promising center-backs in the academy. His return is fantastic news. The Story of His Signing Andrés Cuenca began playing at Córdoba and was recruited by Sevilla as an alevín. His performances in the Promises tournament convinced Barcelona’s scouts of the need to invest in a powerful and highly technical left-footed center-back. His level displayed with Sevilla’s alevín team in a tournament in Lloret dispelled any doubts about signing this defender with notable physical attributes and a distinctive left foot. Although his shyness could have been a hindrance to his integration in Barcelona, Andrés quickly bonded with the other residents of La Masia and his teammates from Infantil B. Unstoppable Progress His first coach was Albert Puig Alcaide, a top-level coach who quickly appreciated his immense qualities. His ability to play short passes, dribble, and deliver long passes to distant teammates convinced everyone. In a squad with Alex Famada, Valdivia, and Cubarsí as pure center-backs, the partnership of Pau Cubarsí and Andrés Cuenca began to shine. With David Sánchez, both in Infantil and Cadete B, he continued to progress and exhibit a very high level. The academy’s leaders envisioned a bright future for the Cubarsí-Cuenca duo. Cubarsí emerged as the defensive leader of the team, while the Andalusian was the most creative defender with a clean ball distribution. Their understanding was complete. In his second year as a cadet, Cuenca couldn’t develop alongside Cubarsí as the latter moved up to Juvenil B. This prompted Andrés to step up in the Cadete A led by Ivan Carrasco. His reserved and timid character evolved on the field with greater doses of leadership. Cuenca has always stood out for being powerful and fast, rarely getting beaten behind. U-17 World Cup Participant In recent years, he has worked to improve his aerial defense and physical presence. His innate talent for passing the ball with his left foot and his ability to dribble make him a very spectacular defender. This season, he has shown very promising leadership. At the time of his injury, Cubarsí was already alternating between Juvenil A and Barça Atlètic, and both reunited to form the defensive axis of the Spanish U-17 national team in Indonesia. Rafa Márquez even called up Cuenca for a match with the B team, but so far, he hasn’t made his debut in the Primera Federación. Andrés Cuenca has overcome his muscle injury and will seek to regain his starting spot with Juvenil A. Cubarsí’s remarkable rise to the first team serves as motivation for Cuenca and the rest of La Masia’s defenders, although they are all aware that Pau’s case is exceptional and hardly repeatable. Cuenca is still a first-year youth player and is willing to work and improve to earn the opportunity to dream of eventually ascending to Barça Atlètic in the medium term and subsequently to the first team.