Racing vs Barcelona: probable lineups and absentees for the Copa del Rey match

Racing de Santander and FC Barcelona will face each other this Thursday in the Copa del Rey 2025-26 at the Campos de Sport de El Sardinero in Santander (9:00 PM CEST), in the round of 16 of the tournament. Hansi Flick's team arrives with three players out due to injury and one suspended for the second cup tie of the season.

We review the possible starting lineup, the substitute bench, and the injured and suspended players for Hansi Flick's Barcelona for the match against Racing. Complete analysis!

Possible Barça Starting XI against Racing

1. (#13, P) Joan García
2. (#17) Marc Casadó
3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
4. (#18) Gerard Martín
5. (#26) Jofre Torrents
6. (#24) Eric García
7. (#22) Marc Bernal
8. (#20) Dani Olmo
9. (#19) Roony Bardghji
10. (#14) Marcus Rashford
11. (#07) Ferran Torres

Barça Bench (substitute players)

1. (#01, P) Marc-André ter Stegen
2. (#25, P) Szczesny
3. (#02) Joao Cancelo
4. (#03) Alejandro Balde
5. (#05) Pau Cubarsí
6. (#08) Pedri
7. (#09) Robert Lewandowski
8. (#10) Lamine Yamal
9. (#11) Raphinha
10. (#16) Fermín López
11. (#23) Jules Koundé
12. (#43) Tommy Marqués

Injured Barça Players

1. (#06) Gavi
2. (#15) Andreas Christensen
3. (#27) Dro Fernández

Sanctioned Barça players:

1. (#21) Frenkie de Jong.

Flick's Potential Surprises and Tactical Variations Against Racing de Santander

Ronald Araujo in a Champions League match with Barça

In principle, **Hansi Flick** plans to rotate in all lines compared to the lineup in the Super Cup final against Real Madrid (3-2), with **Ronald Araujo** returning to the center of defense alongside Gerard Martín and **Marc Casadó** and Jofre Torrents as full-backs. Marc Bernal, Roony Bardghji, Marcus Rashford, and Ferran Torres are also projected as starters

Goalkeeping and defense

• Joan García will be in goal, while Marc Casadó and Jofre Torrents would be the full-backs. In the center of defense, Ronald Araujo and Gerard Martín could feature in the middle. Joao Cancelo could be included in his first squad call-up along with the usual starters, Koundé, Cubarsí, and Balde. Ter Stegen returns to the bench alongside Szczesny.

Midfield:

• As a pivot, Eric García is set to be Marc Bernal's partner in midfield, while Dani Olmo would be the team's attacking midfielder. Fermín López should get minutes in the second half, as should Pedri González. Frenkie de Jong is out due to suspension, while Dro Fernández remains sidelined with discomfort.

Forward:

• In attack, Roony Bardghji and Marcus Rashford would complete the Blaugrana attack alongside Ferran Torres. Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamala would be substitutes this Thursday, as would Raphinha. The Brazilian was the MVP of the Super Cup, with braces against Athletic and Real Madrid in the semifinals and the final.

Barça Absences: Which Players Will Miss the Final Against Racing Due to Injury?

For now, only three players are out with significant injuries. Pablo Gavi continues his recovery post-knee surgery and could return to action in mid-February. Andreas Christensen suffered a partial cruciate ligament tear before the trip to Villarreal and is expected to be out for four or more months. Dro Fernández will also be unavailable due to muscle discomfort

Possible Racing de Santander lineup against Barcelona

• Probable XI: Andreev; Mantilla, Hernando, González, García; Sainz-Masa, Puerta; Cabanzón, Canales, Camara; Arana.
• Probable Bench:Goméz (GK); Sangalli, Ramón, Castro, Salinas, Gueye, Aldasoro, Fuentes, Vicente, Martínez, Yurrieta, Villalibre.
• Injured: None.
• Suspended: None.

Racing Santander, for their part, reach the Copa del Rey round of 16 with no absences and after surprising Villarreal in the round of 32 (2-1). **A brace from Juan Carlos Arana** knocked out the Castellón side, but after their cup upset, the team managed by José Alberto López has struggled to win.

The Cantabrians drew three consecutive matches in La Liga Hypermotion and are coming off a loss on Saturday against Zaragoza at home (2-3). Facing the clash against Barça, it is likely that the team will maintain the core of the XI against Villarreal, with Andreev in goal and a 4-2-3-1 formation similar to that of the Blaugrana side, although with the block much more withdrawn near their goal.

At the back would be Mantilla (captain) and García as full-backs, while the central pairing would be Manu Hernando and Facundo González. In the defensive double pivot would be Sainz-Masa and Gustavo Puerta, while Peio Canales would be the attacking midfielder. As wingers, Cabanzón and Camara would accompany Arana, who has scored 3 goals in the tournament.

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