By Graham Ruthven
Acquainted foes
It was solely a 12 months in the past that Barcelona travelled west to face fourth tier Barbastro within the Copa del Rey spherical of 32 and the Catalans will make the identical journey to tackle the identical opponent in the identical competitors this weekend.
Final season, Barca received 3-2, edging a match that was extra aggressive than many had predicted. Certainly, the decrease league aspect made an excellent impression towards a robust Barcelona crew that included most of their massive names.
Barbastro will enter Saturday’s cup match on the again of a four-game unbeaten run and having already knocked out Espanyol on this season’s Copa del Rey. They might make it a Catalan double by surprising Barcelona.
A Barbastro win can be one of many greatest upsets in Copa del Rey historical past and there’s perception across the fourth tier membership that they’ll not less than push Barca. A offered out crowd of 6,000 supporters will make this a troublesome expertise for Flick and his gamers.
Key gamers
Whereas Barcelona could have a sizeable expertise benefit on Saturday, Barbastro have quite a lot of key gamers who may harm the highest flight crew.
Andres Barrera is having fun with a wonderful season at left wing again, registering seven targets and two assists in 18 appearances. Marc Prat may even pose a menace within the centre ahead place with Javier Albin and Ander El Haddadi additionally anticipated to characteristic within the assault.
Flick is predicted to discipline a robust lineup as Barcelona look to maneuver on from a difficult interval which noticed them relinquish management of the title race on the prime of LaLiga. The Catalans should construct momentum once more.
Nonetheless, the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski could possibly be rotated out of the crew with the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia simply across the nook. Ansu Fati, nonetheless, could possibly be given a chance to make an influence.
Gerard Martín, Eric García, Pablo Torre, Ferran Torres and Fermín López may all be in line for a begin with Barcelona contemporary after a two-week winter break.
Workforce information
Experiences declare Ronald Araújo may make his first look of the season after getting back from a long-term damage whereas Wojciech Szczesny may be handed a Barcelona debut after becoming a member of the membership as a free agent two months in the past.
Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal and Marc-André Ter Stegen stay unavailable for Barcelona whereas Dani Olmo will miss out because of the messy registration saga that’s nonetheless taking part in out. Pau Víctor can also be caught up in that scenario.
Lamine Yamal will quickly be again in coaching, however the Euro 2024 winner remains to be a way off that includes on the pitch for Barcelona who’re desperately lacking the creativity of their teenage prodigy.
Prediction
We all know that Flick’s excessive line of defense is susceptible and more likely to concede, however similar to final 12 months, we imagine the Catalan giants could have sufficient firepower to see off the plucky upstarts from the fourth tier: Barbastro 1-3 Barcelona.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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