FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez will go for broke with his lineup that is set to be deployed against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday evening.
With the Champions League as difficult as it is to win and Barca eight points behind in the La Liga title race, the Copa presents the Catalans with perhaps their most realistic chance of lifting silverware this term.
An Athletic Club outfit led by former Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, which they will take on in one of the most hostile grounds in Spain, stands in their way of advancing to the last four, though, and Xavi expects a “great game”.
“We’re playing for a title against an opponent we didn’t want. They put faith in it, they’re intense, they’ve got a great coach and they’re one of the most in-form teams in La Liga,” Xavi noted at his pre-match press conference Tuesday afternoon.
“We will have to have all five senses [switched on]. They have things clear. They are brave, they push you and, even more, [they are] playing at home. We’re ready, the other day we also won on a difficult pitch.
“It will be a great game and I hope it will be a great show. We’re three games away from playing in a Copa del Rey final, that’s the feeling of positivity we have,” Xavi added.
Though some key players such as Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi are still off limits, Xavi will go for broke with the strongest possible XI he can field which means Joao Cancelo is rushed back from injury to fill in at right back.
As Pena continues to stand in for Ter Stegen, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde complete the rest of the back line.
In midfield, it is the trio of Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri that Xavi complained we hadn’t had the privilege of seeing enough of thanks to injuries, which were mostly suffered by the Spain international that regularly experiences muscle complaints.
Up top, Joao Felix is rewarded for his fantastic goal off the bench at the weekend as Barca beat Real Betis 4-2. So too is the hat trick hero of the first defeat the Andalusians suffered at their home ground this season Ferran Torres, meaning there is no place for Lamine Yamal who was just as impressive.
Felix and Ferran are the left and right wingers respectively, with striker Robert Lewandowski in the middle of them seeking his second goal in the competition.
FC Barcelona Lineup Versus Athletic Club: Pena; Balde, Araujo, Kounde, Cancelo; Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri; Felix, Lewandowski, Ferran
