Barcelona kick off 2025 with a Copa del Rey third round matchup against third division side, UD Barbastro.
It was a rocky end to 2024 for Hansi Flick's side, winning just one of their final seven domestic matches of the year. Now, with uncertainty over Dani Olmo's future, 2025 hasn't started much better.
Nevertheless, Barcelona begin their Copa del Rey journey with sights set on winning the tournament for the first time since the 2020–21 season. The road starts with a visit to the Estadio Municipal de Deportes for a second year in a row.
Last season, Barcelona narrowly escaped with a victory against UD Barbastro. A 3–2 final score that required a Robert Lewndowski penalty in the 88th minute to secure a spot in the next round.
The Blaugrana are heavy favorites and should advance without the need of another tight contest this time around. Flick might opt to field an alternative side given Barcelona's upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia to play the Spanish Super Cup next week. Despite the two week break during December's festive period, Flick could decide to give even more rest to players that were heavily taxed during the first half of the season.
Here's how Barcelona could lineup vs. UD Barbastro in the third round of the Copa del Rey.
