COPA DEL REY PREVIEW: Athletic Club v FC Barcelona

After winning at third tier Linares in their opening game, on Thursday at 9.30pm CET, FC Barcelona now take on Athletic Club yet again in the Copa del Rey. It’s the ninth time in the last fourteen editions of the competition that the two teams that have won the title more times than any others have crossed paths at some point.

In those games, which have included no fewer than four finals, Barça have managed to emerge victorious on every single occasion bar one, the quarter final two seasons ago. In fact, that was the only time since 1960 that the Basques have got the better of the Catalans in a Spanish Cup encounter.

That single loss in 2020 was unusual in that it was played as a single leg, and Athletic had the home advantage. San Mamés is also the venue this time round. And once again there will be no second chances at Camp Nou. If the game ends in a draw, then extra time and, failing that, penalties will decide which of the two teams advances to the quarter finals.

Both teams come into this game after disappointment in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, where Barça lost to Real Madrid in the semi-final and Athletic lost to the same team in the final.

Despite that setback, Barça have been steadily improving under Xavi Hernández and have also been able to welcome back players of the calibre of Ansu Fati and Pedri that have been sorely missed through injury. Meanwhile new signing Ferran Torres and the returning Dani Alves are also finally in full swing, and Thursday could see yet another return after it was announced that Martin Braithwaite is back to full fitness.

Copa del Rey 2021/22 Round of 16

Mallorca 2-1 Espanyol
Sporting Gijón 0-0 Cádiz (Cádiz won on pens)
Girona 1-2 Rayo Vallecano
Atlético Baleares 0-1 Valencia
Real Betis 2-1 Sevilla
Real Sociedad 2-0 Atlético Madrid
Elche v Real Madrid
Athletic Club v FC Barcelona

Xavi says

“I have fond memories of playing at San Mamés. I have a wonderful relationship with Athletic and a lot of players from the club. I admire them because they do things well and have clear ideas. The atmosphere there is always phenomenal.”

"The game earlier this season is a reference. They have one of the best coaches of recent years. They’re a very intense, aggressive team. They’re hard to play against, especially at home. They’re very good on the counter. It’s one of the strongest Athletic teams of recent times. Over a single leg, it’s going to a tight game. But we want to go far in this competition.”

Team news

Martin Braithwaite has been decalred fully fit and is the biggest change to the squad named by Xavi on Thursday morning:

Memphis Depay is still having hamstring trouble and although the coach insisted on Wednesday that is not a major issue, he has been left out of the travelling party.

Pedri and Ansu Fati are both in the team "Pedri is ready one hundred per cent" says Xavi, but also commented that "we have to see where Ansu is fitness-wise. We need to control how much time he plays, but he was great in the Super Cup. He’s a star. And he scores goals.”

It means there is no place in the side for Ousmane Dembélé, as well as the injured Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti and Eric Garcia.

Meanwhile, Luuk de Jong misses out through suspension. 

Did you know?

Barça have only lost one of their last nine games on the road in all competitions. The sole defeat was the one at Bayern Munich.

Watch out for penalties. Athletic have won more shootouts (9) than any other club in the Copa del Rey , including the last four consecutively.

Iñaki Williams is the highest goalscorer against Barça in the cup in recent years with three goals.

When these two teams met in last season’s final, Frenkie de Jong not only scored but also gave two assists.

When the sides met at Camp Nou earlier this season (see video below) Iñigo Martínez gave the Basques a 50^th minute lead, but a Memphis Depay equaliser meant the game ended 1-1.

Today’s referee is Munuera Montero as a replacement for Melero López, who tested positive for Covid-19 this week.