FC Barcelona to face Rayo Vallecano in the Last 16 of the Copa del Rey

Barça now know their opponents in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey as they will face Rayo Vallecano in the domestic cup competition. 

Given that rivals Rayo Vallecano are from the Second Division, Copa del Rey rules mean that the game will be played at the Vallecas Stadium.

The tie will be played on Wednesday 27 January at 9.00pm CET, midweek following Barça's trip to Elche on Sunday in the league and before the home game next Sunday at Camp Nou against Athletic Club. 

Barça made it through to the last 16 after a dramatic extra time 2-0 victory in the previous round over Cornellà thanks to goals from Dembélé and Braithwaite. 

Only one Copa del Rey precedent

Rayo Vallecano and FC Barcelona are old acquaintances. However, their meetings have mainly been in LaLiga, where they have crossed paths on 36 occasions. Barça have won 24 of those, with a further 8 draws and 4 defeats. The most recent game between the two sides was in the 2018/19 season, in which the Blaugrana won 2-3 at Vallecas. 

In the Copa del Rey, there has only been one precedent. It was in 1980/81, in the quarter finals, over two legs. Barça were victorious 0-3 away from home, winning 3-1 in the return contest at the Camp Nou.

Play-off candidates this season

This season, Rayo Vallecano are pushing to return to the Primera División. They are candidates for the playoff spots, lying in fourth place with 37 points and 11 wins. Coached by Andoni Iraola -who reached the Copa semifinals with Mirandés last year- Rayo have beaten Elche (2-0), Haro Deportivo (1-3) andTeruel (2-3) so far in the cup competition.