The first question was an obvious one. The last time FC Barcelona visited the Estádio da Luz was in December in the league phase of the Champions League with Barça taking an exhilarating 5-4 win. "It was a difficult game. We allowed Benfica to create a lot of chances and now we want to keep a clean sheet," said a smiling Pau Cubarsí in the pre-game press conference on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's last 16 first leg in Lisbon against the Portuguese side.
"I feel comfortable alongside Araujo, Iñigo and Eric. We have some great players at centre back and we all give our best," said the La Masia product. The number of current players who have passed through the youth system at Barça was another hot topic in the press room. "Sharing a dressing room with players from La Masia makes getting along easy. It gives us positive energy, as does the combination with the experience we have also," said Cubarsí.
"It's a source of pride that FC Barcelona support La Masia. Feeling the colours from a young age gives us strength and makes us aim high," added the defender.
Asked about objectives and if they are being reached, and those to come, Cubarsí prefers to focus on the present. "Being a culer, I have always wanted to make my debut, play and score a goal for my club. However, we have to go game by game. Each match is a world in itself and can get difficult, but if we play well we have a good chance," concluded the centre back who finally added that the team would need to be "100% focused" in the tie.