Barcelona start 2025 with a Copa del Rey trip to fourth-tier side Barbastro on January 4 as they take a break from La Liga’s title race.
Hansi Flick’s team ended 2024 with a mixed run of form and their January schedule also features a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup. That makes balancing his players’ exertions particularly important for the head coach.
The Catalans have struggled in recent Copa del Rey campaigns. They exited at the quarterfinal stage last season, and they have not reached the final since winning the title in 2021.
They are, of course, expected to progress past the team from the northeast with few problems.
Barbastro vs. Barcelona lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Barbastro are battling against relegation to the fifth tier, with the Copa del Rey providing a break from their difficult league campaign.
They knocked out La Liga side Espanyol in the previous round and this is the second year in a row they have reached the last 32.
Barbastro predicted lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Manas (GK) — Garcia, Arroyo, Funes — Jimenez, Javito, Sauco, Barrera — Arrillaga, Serrano, Gomez
Injured: NoneSuspended: None
With a trip to Saudi Arabia on the horizon alongside a busy La Liga schedule, plus two UEFA Champions League games this month, Flick will give some of his young players a chance to impress.
Lamine Yamal will not be risked, but there could be starts for Eric Garcia, Pablo Torre, Gerard Martin and a club debut for Wojciech Szczesny.
Dani Olmo and Pau Victor are set to miss out due to the club still working on their registrations for 2025.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Fort, Bernal, Garcia, Balde — Casado, De Jong, Pedri — Torre, Torres, Lopez
Injured: Christensen (Achilles), Lamine Yamal (ankle), Bernal, Ter Stegen (both knee)Suspended: None
Barbastro vs. Barcelona live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Copa del Rey match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | — |
| UK | — | — |
| Australia | — | — |
| India | — | — |
