CD Guadalajara vs FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey round of 32 25-26

FC Barcelona already knows who its first opponent will be in the defense of the Copa del Rey title. The draw held this December 9th at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas has paired the Blaugrana with CD Guadalajara, a team from the Primera Federación, in a round of 32 tie that will be played as a single match away from home.

The match, which will be played at the Estadio Pedro Escartín, is scheduled for December 16, 17, or 18. This will be the starting point of a new path for Hansi Flick's Barça, which aims to lift its 33rd Copa del Rey after being crowned champion in the 2024/25 edition

A premiere between two key LaLiga matchdays

The schedule will not be particularly kind to the Catalan team. The Copa del Rey tie will be played right between two important fixtures in LaLiga 2025/26. Barça will previously host Osasuna at the Spotify Camp Nou on December 13th at 6:30 PM, corresponding to matchday 16, and a few days later will visit La Cerámica to face Villarreal on December 21st at 4 PM, in matchday 17

With this scenario, Hansi Flick will have to manage efforts, rotations, and minutes played, especially at a stage of the season when the team is accumulating decisive commitments in various competitions. The Copa del Rey, despite being a knockout tournament, is one of the priority objectives each season for the Catalan club.

CD Guadalajara: an unprecedented rival in FC Barcelona's history

The match against CD Guadalajara will be Barça's first encounter with the Castile-La Mancha entity. The team, managed by Pere Martí, a former player for teams like Málaga, Villarreal, and Elche, competes in Group 1 of Primera Federación and currently sits in 17th place with 17 points.

It is, therefore, an unprecedented rival for Barça in an official match. The club from Alcarreño will face the duel with the motivation of measuring themselves against the current champion of the tournament and one of the great attractions of national football. The match, moreover, represents a historic opportunity for the fans of Pedro Escartín, who will be able to witness the visit of one of the giants of European football.

Guadalajara-Barça: a clash marked by hope and challenge

For CD Guadalajara, the match represents one of the most significant fixtures in its recent history. For Barça, it marks the first step towards a new objective: attempting to win their 33rd Copa del Rey and consolidate the upward trend of Flick's project. In a competition where surprises are common, the Blaugrana know they cannot afford to be complacent.

Everything is ready for the title defense to begin in an unusual setting and against an opponent willing to compete without complexes. The season advances, and with it, the challenge of maintaining hegemony in a tournament especially linked to the history of the Barcelona club