Barça on Red Alert: Albacete Cupset Merchants Eyeing Another Scalp
Barcelona travel to giant-killing Albacete in Copa del Rey quarter-finals with Flick taking no chances after Segunda División side's stunning run.
Barcelona head to Albacete with their eyes wide open, facing a Segunda División side that’s already claimed two top-flight scalps in a fairytale Copa del Rey run.
Giant-Killers Waiting
The lads from Castilla-La Mancha have been proper cup specialists this season, reaching the quarters after some stunning results:
- Knocked out Celta Vigo on penalties in December
- Eliminated Real Madrid in January (Arbeloa’s dugout debut)
- Now targeting the reigning champions to complete their hat-trick of Primera victims
Albacete arrive in sterling form too - they’ve kept clean sheets in their last four matches and strung together three consecutive league wins. Despite this purple patch, they’re mid-table in the Segunda, but their cup form has been something else entirely.
Flick Taking No Chances
Hansi Flick isn’t about to get caught with his trousers down. The German gaffer might rotate a few players, but he’ll be fielding a strong XI with minimal risks. Don’t expect many La Masia youngsters in the squad either - just the usual suspects Kochen, Jofre and Tommy who regularly train with the first team.
It’s Barcelona’s first official match at Albacete in 21 years, and they’re facing:
- A packed, hostile stadium
- A highly-motivated opponent
- Their own injury concerns (Pedri, Gavi, Christensen and now Raphinha all in the treatment room)
- A congested fixture list taking its toll
Barça’s Momentum
Despite the challenges, the Catalans arrive with serious momentum of their own. Since the turn of the year, they’ve:
- Lifted the Spanish Supercopa
- Secured their Champions League top-8 spot
- Maintained their La Liga leadership
Now they’re looking to defend their Copa del Rey crown after previously dispatching Guadalajara and Racing Santander in earlier rounds.
The cup’s been a right Bobby Dazzler this season, and Albacete will fancy their chances at causing another upset, but Barcelona know exactly what they’re walking into. No banana skins, please lads.