“We’re going to make the impossible possible.”
The rallying cry at FC Barcelona has become loud in the second leg build-up as the club spend their final hours preparing for tonight’s Copa del Rey showdown. Facing a daunting 4-0 deficit against Atlético de Madrid, the task borders on the miraculous, yet within the walls of the Barça dressing room, the white flag s never considered.
The memory of the comeback victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017 Champions League has instilled belief within the squad, making that cry louder. Now, with Hansi Flick facing a major decision over his starting XI, the big question remains: who will he choose?”
GK: Joan Garcia
Star of the season will deliver his most important clean sheet of the season if he can keep Lookman, Alvarez and co out.
RB: Joao Cancelo
Opting for the more offensive right-back is a clear tactical play to exploit Atlético’s left flank. By overlapping and stretching the defense, the Portuguese full-back can provide the support Lamine Yamal needs to truly run riot.
CB: Ronald Araujo
With Eric García suspension, the door swings open for the Uruguayan defender. He’ll need to be at his absolute best to shore up the backline and avoid giving Atlético any further advantage in this tie.
CB: Pau Cubarsi
While his line-breaking passes are a vital escape valve for the team, the youngster's defensive work remains under the microscope this season. To secure a shutout tonight, he’ll need to marry his offensive flair with much-improved positioning and awareness.
LB: Alejandro Balde
Cancelo moved over to the right flank, which will guarantee his place as options for full backs are limited.
CDM: Marc Bernal
His recent performances have made him an undisputed starter ahead of Casadó. Whether deployed in a traditional double pivot or sitting slightly deeper than Pedri, his ability to dictate the tempo from the base of the midfield will be crucial tonight.
CM: Pedri
Back from injury and integral to the centre due to De Jong's sidelined status, he is a guarantee for the starting XI. Expect him to be the architect in the engine room, tasked with igniting Barça’s transition from defence to attack.
CM: Fermin Lopez
Known for coming alive on the biggest stages, he remains the man for the occasion. While his blistering early-season form has cooled, he still offers a more direct goal threat than Dani Olmo. My bold prediction? He bags a brace to ignite the comeback.
RW: Lamine Yamal
Fresh from his weekend hat-trick, Yamal heads into this clash with confidence. However, he now faces a far more defensively resolute opponent than Villarreal, guided by a manager capable of making it a long and uncomfortable evening.
ST: Ferran Torres
In the absence of Lewandowski, Torres leads the line with more goals this term than Marcus Rashford. It’s the perfect stage for him to snap his recent dry spell and find his form when it matters most.
LW: Raphinha
Always a vital component of the Barça machine, he heads into this fixture with a point to prove. With the stakes so high, he looks buoyed by the challenge of leading the comeback.