Barça take no chances at Albacete with Rashford set for Copa start
Barcelona travel to giant-killers Albacete in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, with Flick expected to rotate but still field a strong XI against the second-tier side.
Barcelona aren’t taking any chances against the Copa’s Goliath-slayers as they head to Carlos Belmonte for Tuesday’s quarter-final clash.
Barça wary of giant-killers
You’d have to be a right mug to underestimate Albacete at this stage. The second-tier outfit have already knocked out Real Madrid in the previous round and sent Celta packing in the round of 32. They’re the last LaLiga Hypermotion side standing in the competition, and they’re clearly up for causing more upsets.
Hansi Flick knows the score. The German gaffer is expected to rotate his squad but won’t be taking any chances with his selection. The Catalan club are dead set on defending their Copa del Rey title and won’t be caught with their trousers down against lower-league opposition.
Rotation with respect
With fixtures coming thick and fast, Flick will make some changes to keep his squad fresh. The team sheet is likely to feature:
- João Cancelo returning to the starting lineup
- Marcus Rashford getting the nod in attack
- Marc Bernal stepping into midfield
- Joan García potentially between the sticks
The German boss still has several key players on the treatment table:
- Pedri and Gavi remain long-term absentees
- Christensen is still sidelined
- Raphinha is the latest casualty with an abductor strain that will keep him out for about a week
Albacete at full strength
Albacete manager Alberto González has a nearly full squad to choose from, with only Pepe unavailable for selection. They’ll be going full throttle in what their coach described as a chance to “do something big” in the competition.
Expect Raúl Lizoain in goal, with a backline of Aguado, Javi Moreno, Vallejo and Carlos Neva. The dangerous Medina and Betancor will lead the line for the hosts.
For Barça, we’ll likely see a front three of Rashford, Lewandowski and Roony Bardghji, with Olmo pulling strings behind them. The visitors will need to have their wits about them - this Albacete team has already shown they can give the big boys a right old pasting in this competition.