Barcelona’s confirmed starting XI against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey

FC Barcelona will visit San Mamés to face Athletic Club in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey (KO 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT.). One of Spain’s all-time great fixtures will have an extra sense of tension as Barça appear to be recovering from the slump after a solid game against Betis while Athletic, despite losing to Valencia, are perhaps Spain’s best team at the moment, with Valverde’s side having gone 14 games without a loss.

Although Xavi has not yet ruled out fighting for LaLiga, he is fully aware that retaining the title is very complicated and that a the Copa del Rey is the most likely chance at a trophy this season for the Catalans.

Athletic Club - Barcelona: Follow the live action here!

Barcelona have a poor away record against Athletic Club

Athletic will not make it easy for them, and even less so in San Mamés. Barça have not come away good results in recent seasons in the Basque Lions’ den. They have not won at ‘The Cathedral’ since the 2015-2016 season and in time out in a one-legged cup game, Barça were eliminated. In the 2019-2020 season, Athletic won with a solitary goal from Iñaki Williams (1-0) in the quarter-finals; in the 2021-2022 season, they did so in extra time (3-2).

Xavi Hernández has resisted the temptation to use four midfielders, which he has done on occasion in order to have more control in games. The good news for Barça is that they have Cancelo back for this tie. The Portuguese, along with Andreas Christensen, has returned to the squad and the Barça coach admitted that they will both see minutes with the centre-back even starting.

Raphinha, Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi and Iñigo Martínez remain sidelined.

Who will play in Barcelona - Athletic in the Copa del Rey?

Iñaki Peña will play in goal, with Koundé and Balde in the full-back roles and Christensen and Araújo in the middle. In the centre of the field are Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gündogan, the three untouchables.

Up front, Ferran Torres, in great form and who comes into the tie after scoring a hat-trick against Real Betis, accompanies Lewandowski, while there is also a place in the team for Lamine Yamal, another player who performed well in Seville.

João Félix will remain on the bench with both Vitor Roque and Marc Guiu, who will be alternatives to the Pole in attack.

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