FC Barcelona is set to face Barbastro today in the Copa del Rey round of 32, amid internal challenges and player registration issues. The match, which should be a straightforward fixture for the Catalan giants, is overshadowed by organizational turmoil within the club.
Manager Hansi Flick plans to field a unique lineup, potentially featuring the debut of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who joined the team following Marc-André ter Stegen's injury. Additionally, defender Ronald Araújo is expected to return after a five-month injury hiatus. The anticipated starting XI includes: Szczesny; Koundé, Araújo, Eric GarcÃa, Balde; Frenkie de Jong, FermÃn, Gavi; Pablo Torre, Lewandowski, and Ansu Fati.
Despite these preparations, Barcelona faces significant challenges off the pitch. The club has been unable to register new signings Dani Olmo and Pau VÃctor due to LaLiga's wage cap restrictions, leading to the Spanish Football Association rejecting their licensing requests. Flick expressed his frustration with the situation but remains optimistic about resolving these issues.
The internal disarray has affected the team's morale, with the locker room reportedly unsettled by recent events involving teammates. Flick acknowledged the difficulties but emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming match. He praised the team's training efforts and highlighted the quality of their fourth-tier opponents, Barbastro.
Barbastro, meanwhile, has prepared extensively for this high-profile encounter. The club has increased its stadium capacity to accommodate approximately 6,000 spectators, anticipating a memorable event. Former club president Rafa Torres noted the significance of hosting a team like Barcelona and recalled memorable moments from previous encounters.
As Barcelona navigates these internal and external challenges, today's match against Barbastro serves as both a test of their resilience and an opportunity to advance in the Copa del Rey.
