Barça debuts this Sunday in the Copa del Rey, traveling to Barbastro, where a field in poor condition and a rival from the Second RFEF await them. “It is one of those games in which we have little to win and a lot to lose because we are the clear favorites but they are scenarios that always get complicated as the precedents show, we have to use all our senses,” Xavi Hernández warned in the preview.
Regarding the Barça rival in the round of 32, the Barcelona coach highlighted that “they are a team that has a lot of faith, a lot of courage and a lot of character, we will have to be very attentive to the rebounds and the second actions.”
There are several proper names that emerged during his press conference. Balde, for example, could not train due to illness but it is expected that he will be able to travel this Sunday. Cancelo is ruled out for Barbastro due to his knee problems but he could arrive in time for next week’s Spanish Super Cup. “He feels very well, we don’t rule him out and we hope he travels with us,” Xavi proclaimed happily.
More focused on the cup duel, the Egarense coach hinted that Vitor Roque, who debuted on Thursday in Las Palmas, will start for the first time: “Physically he needs rhythm and minutes, and he is going to have them. We will see how many but it is an ideal match for those who play less, although it is not the time to do tests.
The one who will not be able to play will be Lamine Yamal, who seemed like a sure starter, since he was sent off in the Copa del Rey youth team a year ago. “He doesn’t have one, he has a two-match suspension,” confirmed the Barça coach.
On the other side of the scale are Íñigo Martínez and Héctor Fort. “He will be on the list, we have missed him a lot, his character and his leadership,” Xavi explained about the Basque center back. “We’ll see where, but he’ll have minutes for sure,” he added about the reserves side, who plays on the right but could replace Balde on the left if he doesn’t recover.