On January 4, 2025, football fans will witness several thrilling Copa del Rey matches as clubs from diverse divisions compete to advance to the next round. Among the most anticipated fixtures is the clash between FC Barcelona and CD Barbastro, where the Catalans hope to bounce back from recent disappointing results.
FC Barcelona, under new manager Hansi Flick, has had a rocky road this season, succumbing to unexpected defeats, including back-to-back losses at home against Leganes and Atletico Madrid. Those results saw them slip to third place in La Liga, trailing their rivals by several points. Despite this, the Copa del Rey provides Barcelona with the perfect opportunity to regroup and restore their confidence.
CD Barbastro, representing Spain’s fourth tier, arrives at this encounter with growing momentum following their impressive victory over Espanyol (2-0) in the last round of Copa del Rey. Previously, they also secured three points by beating Ejea, allowing them to climb the ranks and gather strength as they host one of Spain’s most prestigious teams.
Flick’s decision on the starting goalkeeper could significantly impact the match. Wojciech Szczesny, who transferred to Barcelona as Marc-André ter Stegen's replacement, has yet to make his debut. With ter Stegen sidelined due to knee injury, many speculate whether Flick will take the chance and field Szczesny. “For now, Peña is doing very well, but it’s possible we could see Szczesny in the cup,” Flick mentioned during his pre-match press conference.
Barbastro, occupying 16th place with 17 points and fighting against relegation, intends to prove their mettle against strong opposition. Coach Dani Martínez has expressed confidence, saying, “We will go out there and showcase what we are capable of.” The team’s defense has tightened recently, having not conceded goals in their last two outings.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid faces Marbella, another underdog from the Spanish third division. Atletico has been on fire, leading La Liga heading to this fixture with impeccable form, remaining undefeated during the last twelve matches across competitions. Coach Diego Simeone is set to field his strongest side as they aim to retain momentum heading to the latter stages of the Copa del Rey.
The match will take place at La Rosaleda stadium, starting at 22:30, with Atletico aiming to build on their recent success, particularly after their thrilling victory away to Barcelona (2-1).
Reflecting on the match against Marbella, Simeone acknowledged the challenge of facing lower-division sides, stating, “We mustn’t underestimate any team—every game has its own story.”
Marbella, competing fiercely for stability in the third division, enters the cup with the motivation to make history. After several years of struggling, they recently secured notable wins and now see their Copa del Rey run as the perfect opportunity to showcase their growth.
Another exciting showdown is set to take place between Athletic Bilbao and Logroñés, with Athletic climbing up to fourth place in La Liga thanks to strong performances and innate talent. They look to maintain their form against what is seen as less formidable opposition.
Bilbao goes head-to-head with Logroñés, currently positioned fourth within their group—the tension and stakes run high as they aim to solidify their greater ambitions for silverware this season.
Betting experts favor well-performing teams like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao to dominate, projecting high scores and compelling clashes. With their respective advantages, all three teams will push to push their way to the next stages of the competition.
The atmosphere surrounding these matches promises excitement, tension, and moments of brilliance as clubs look to fulfill their aspirations and dreams.
Fans can expect intense matches, where anything is possible, showcasing the beauty of knockout football.