Three talking points ahead of Athletic Club vs Barcelona | Copa del Rey

Progressing to the quarter-final stage of the Copa del Rey was easier said than done for Barcelona. Unionistas de Salamanca gave them a tough fight, but in the end, individual brilliance sealed the deal for Xavi’s men.

The Blaugranas took to the field once after the game in Salamanca as they faced off against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin. A relatively convincing performance gave them a 4-2 win, leaving them in good spirits ahead of their most challenging fixture of the week.

Come Wednesday night, Barcelona lock horns with Athletic Club at San Mames in a direct knockout clash. With the cup in its quarter-final stage already, a single mistake could painfully end their hopes in the competition.

Xavi received several boosts ahead of the critical fixture such as the returns of Andreas Christensen and Joao Cancelo. The only question is, can he optimally utilise and fuel his resources to gun down the much-needed win?

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Athletic Club vs Barcelona.

The home factor

So far this season, Barcelona have already played two games on the road in the Copa del Rey. Their campaign began with a win over Barbastro away from home before taking on Unionistas at Salamanca.

The story ahead of the quarter-final is the same. The Catalans have been drawn up against Athletic Club, one of Spain’s most in-form teams who currently sit in fifth place on the table.

As the Basque side were the first team to be picked out of the draw, the game will take place at San Mames, their home stadium and one of Spain’s most terrifying atmospheres to play against.

Barcelona are indeed far from their best. Recent games have shown tangible improvement, but it is still a matter of debate if the Catalans are good enough to get past the test posed by Ernesto Valverde’s side. Wednesday’s clash, in a sense, will be pivotal for their form.

Athletic Club have lost just one of their last 15 games across all competitions and have drawn just thrice in that duration. With a good run of form and the home advantage to their side, the Basque side have a great chance of progressing past Barcelona in the cup, and Xavi’s men have a great chance to prove their mettle.

A test of defensive resilience

A stern test awaits. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona and Athletic Club are known for creating some enthralling games of football whenever they lock horns. Despite the Basque side’s current manager being a former coach of Barça, the very philosophy of the two teams on the field is contrasting.

Ernesto Valverde’s men are known for their ruthless counter-attacks and pace on the break. As opposed to the Catalans’ ball-hogging style of play, they prefer to sit back and lash out for every half-chance they are presented with.

The clash between Xavi and Valverde thus sets up to be a thriller, for it is not just a battle of 11 passionate players on each side but also a tactical fiesta. Of all of Barcelona’s departments, the defence will be under the brightest spotlight come Wednesday night.

Pau Cubarsi’s performance in the last game gives him a good chance to start, but it will not be easy with the likes of Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde ahead of him on the pecking order. Moreover, with Joao Cancelo and Andreas Christensen back, it remains to be seen how Xavi sets up his fortress.

Barcelona’s defence this season has been a shadow of the level displayed last campaign and will have to step up if the team are to get past the Basque opposition. After all, Nico Williams is fit and his pace will be a serious weapon for the hosts on the counter.

The closest silverware

Last season, Barcelona were better placed on the league standings at the halfway mark. Their good foundation helped them conquer the league title, and they were only boosted by the victory in the Spanish Super Cup.

The situation this time around is different. The Catalans lost to Real Madrid in the finals of the Supercopa de Espana and sit a solid eight points behind leaders Girona in La Liga. Their chances of conquering the league, though existent, are bleak.

The Copa del Rey, in that sense, is their best chance of sealing silverware this season. After all, the UEFA Champions League is unpredictable and the cup is already in the quarterfinal stage.

If Barcelona win over Valverde’s side tomorrow, they will be just two oppositions away from securing the title. However, it is clear that their real journey in the Copa del Rey will start tomorrow, for they have only faced lower-tier opposition to this point.