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Barcelona dispatch Cultural Leonesa 4-1 to reach Copa del Rey Round of 16

By Benjamin Barkworth

BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 05: FC Barcelona players celebrate a goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey second leg match between FC Barcelona and Cultural Leonesa at Camp Nou on December 05, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 05: FC Barcelona players celebrate a goal during the Spanish Copa del Rey second leg match between FC Barcelona and Cultural Leonesa at Camp Nou on December 05, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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The Catalans started their title defence with a 5-1 aggregate win over Cultural Leonesa.

Ernesto Valverde opted for a youthful lineup with a selection of experienced players to back them up as Barcelona aim to win their fifth consecutive title. They achieved the desired result as they comfortably brushed aside Cultural Leonesa 4-1 on the night, 5-1 on aggregate, with the gulf in quality showing through.

Juan Miranda, Chumi, Oriol Busquets and Riqui Puig were all included from the B team while Carles Alena started as well, but he is now part of the first team. Therefore, they provide proof that La Masia is still producing talented players, so it’s down to Valverde to put his trust in them.

Ivan Rakitic was a surprise starter in this match due to the number of matches he has already been involved in this season, but it proved to be a smart move as he assisted the first three goals all in the first half.

Munir opened the scoring with a nice turn and finish after receiving the ball in the box and he had the chance to double the lead not long after when Malcom played him in with a chipped ball over the top but he hit the post. Denis Suarez did put Barcelona 2-0 ahead in the 26th minute with a lovely driving run and curled finish from just outside the box. Malcom added a third just before half-time when he powerfully headed home Rakitic’s cross.

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Sergio Busquets was brought on for Rakitic at half-time which was a strange move considering the lead they had as well as the lack of importance of the match. Leonesa scored a consolation goal not long after as Jasper Cillessen failed to deal properly with a long-range shot so Jose Alonso was able to fire the ball across goal for Josep Sene to finish.

Riqui Puig was brought on for Oriol Busquets straight after that goal. The 19-year-old dazzled on his competitive debut with his willingness to take risks to try and break through the opposition defence as well as his innovative solutions such as his assist for Suarez where he chipped it around a defender. He is a hugely exciting prospect and cules were able to see a La Masia trio in midfield once again when he came on.

Next. Barcelona’s injury crisis deepens with aggravation of Umtiti’s injury. dark

This was a comfortable win as was expected pre-match. Valverde’s use of some of the experienced players was odd considering how unimportant this match was, but the future looks bright based on the performances of the B team players.