20-man squad named for Copa del Rey opener

Following the Spanish Super Cup and before the return of LaLiga action, Barça have a difficult test in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night

The Blaugrana's metropolitan neighbours are one of the strongest teams in Grupo 3 of the Segunda División B, where in recent years they have become a regular fixture in the promotion play-offs. In addition, in their previous Copa del Rey game they eliminated Atletico Madrid.

Coach Ronald Koeman provided his squad list on Thursday morning, after an activation training session. Youth team players Ilaix, Mingueza, Konrad, Collado and Arnau Tenas all feature.

The full squad consists of: Ter Stegen, R. Araujo, Sergio, Griezmann, Pjanic, Braithwaite, O. Dembélé, Riqui Puig, Neto, Lenglet, Pedri, Trincao, Matheus, Umititi, Junior, Ilaix, O. Mingueza, Konrad, Collado and Arnau Tenas. Out through injury are Dest, Piqué, Coutinho, S. Roberto and Ansu Fati, whilst Messi serves a suspension. Jordi Alba and F. De Jong have been left out for tactical reasons.