Forced to win! Barça will defend the Cup title against a tough Athletic

There is not morning for the FC Barcelona in the Glass of Rey. This Thursday 20 January, the Barcelona picture of Xavi Hernández will visit to the Athletic of Bilbao in Saint Mamés to contest the eighth of final of the prestigious competition. The culés will have to defend the title of 'valid champion' from the 21:30 hours of Spain, in a party of direct elimination to define to the flamante classified to quarter-finals.

Conquer the victory is imperative for a Barcelona that arrives to the appointment after being deleted in semifinals by the Real Madrid in the Supercopa, tournament contested in Saudi Arabia, where the club merengue finished consecrating in front of to the own Athletic. The Barcelona picture, in spite of that saw upper to sportive level in the classical, a goal of Fede Valverde in the extra time sufficed to delete them.

Said elimination meant a very hard varapalo for the Barça, that found 'consolation' in the exultant performance of his young players, in the return of Ansu Fati and in the debut of Ferran Torres (in spite of that noticed him the inactivity). The suitable for the Athletic, as the final in front of the Madrid was marked by the penal, one that did not earn him and another that covered Thibaut Courtois on the end of the party.

Likewise, the Barcelona is called to defend his title of Glass in front of a rival, a priori, accessible. The Barcelona picture is full of young footballers that at present are the face of the team, thanks to his impressive talent, especially to offensive level. Ansu, Ferran, Gavi and Abde or Jutglà (possible substitutes of Ousmane Dembélé and Luuk of Jong), represent the alive hope of the barcelonismo to do with the bicampeonato copero.

Solid defence

Configure a solid defensive line will be fundamental to attain the aspirations of the picture of Xavi Hernández, this considering the explosividad of two of the footballers more talentosos of the Athletic: Iñaki Williams and Sancet. The midfield player, in the diary of the Barça, is recognised by his capacity goleadora whereas the forward stands out by his speed, disequilibrium and hit.

Therefore, it is likely that Xavi decant by the repetition of a defence plagada of experienced in addition to the solid Ronald Araújo. I hammered and the Uruguayan would conform the saga whereas Dani Alves and Jordi Alba would occupy the lanes of the team, forming like this a line of four defences to sustain the team and neutralise any attempt that from the midfield has to be desarticulado.

Incógnitas In the attack

It is little likely that Ousmane Dembélé participate this Thursday in the announcement of Xavi. Of not renewing with the Barcelona club, will have to take a decision with regard to his future, which indicates that it will not go back to the terrains of game like player culé. Likewise, Luuk of Jong will fulfil this 20 January with his respective sanction of two parties of expulsion of the Glass of the King after seeing the red in the past edition in front of the own Barcelona. The Dutch was absent in front of the Linares and will be it in front of the Athletic.

In spite of the news of the delicate absences in the front of attack, the egarense will be able to have the participation of Ansu and Ferran, those who are likely to alternate in the centre of the offensive line. Abde And Jutglà present like alternatives, and even the own Gavi if Xavi opts for ranging to Nico or Frenkie of Jong in the midfield for like this free to the big Pablo Gavira.

Like this then , it subtracts to expect the final configuration of the egarense of face to a key party to follow showing his cost. Consolidate his candidature in the Glass and give a hit on the table in front of the coming commitments that will have to assume so much in LaLiga as in Europe League. The Barça has to show to himself same his victorious capacity to attain this longed for sportive canalisation.

Technical index card of the party: Athletic-FC Barcelona

• Party: Athletic-FCBarcelona
• Competition: Glass of Rey
• Stadium: Saint Mamés
• Television: Thursday, 20 January to the 21:30 hours (in Spain)
• Calendar 2021-2022: League Santander, Europe League, Glass of Rey