Match Pack: Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona (Copa R.16)
Match Pack: Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona (Copa R.16)
Get ready for this year’s Copa homecoming at San Mamés as the Lions take on FC Barcelona on Thursday night (21:30 CET)
Athletic Club’s first match of the year at San Mamés sees them take on FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. A duel for the ages between the competition’s two most successful sides, Barcelona have lifted the trophy 31 times and Athletic 24.
Since 1901/02, these two clubs have faced each other on total of 44 times occasions in the Copa, the most recent encounter last year’s final, which the Catalans won at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville.
These Copa clashes are rarely dull affairs and tend to produce iconic moments. Marcelino’s men will be looking to make more history and move into the quarter finals on Thursday night.
Match Info
FC Barcelona (Round of 16)
San Mamés (Bilbao)
Copa del Rey 2021/22
Thursday January 20, 21:30 CET
How to Watch
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Team News
Athletic Club head coach Marcelino García Toral has called up 22 players for tonight’s clash. In addition to the injured Unai Vencedor and Asier Villalibre, Yeray and Jokin Ezkieta are also absent.
Marcelino’s Comments
Marcelino spoke of how San Mamés should expect “a night of great Copa action on Thursday”, insisting that Athletic have a chance against Barça if they’re “clinical in both areas”.
Catch up with what the Gaffer had to say at his pre-match press conference.
The Opponents
Copa 2021/22 so far:
As reigning Copa champions, Barça receieved a bye this year, going straight into the draw for the Round of 32. They took on Primera RFEF side Linares Deportivo. Despite going behind, the Catalans fought back and progressed thanks to second-half goals from Ousmane Dembélé and Ferran Jutglà.
Head coach: Xavi Hernández
A legendary Blaugrana midfielder, and one of the standout players of his generation, Xavi took over the Barcelona hot seat from Ronald Koeman in November 2021. Since Xavi’s arrival as manager, Barça have only lost once in domestic competition, and currently sit sixth in LaLiga Santander.
New face: Ferran Torres
Capable of playing in any position up top or behind the striker, Ferran Torres joined Barça from Man City in the winter transfer window. In his sole season with Pep Guardiola’s side, Torres helped them reach the Champions League final and also picked up a Premier League winner’s medal. He scored 16 times in 43 appearances for the English champions.
Previous Meetings
Athletic and FC Barcelona have played each other on 44 occasions in the Copa. The Lions have won 14, drawn six and lost 24 of those meetings. Since 2009, the two sides have met in four finals, with the Catalans emerging victorious in all of them.
In terms of the 17 Copa duels played between the two teams at San Mamés, Athletic have won eight times, FC Barcelona five and there have been four draws.
Los Leones have won two of their last four Copa matches against Barça in Bilbao. In 2016/17, goals from Aritz Aduriz and Iñaki Williams saw Athletic knock out the Catalans in the Round of 16, and a last-minute Williams header meant Los Rojiblancos moved into the semi-finals in 2019/20. Athletic were defeated in the quarter-finals in 2015/16 and managed a draw in the last 16 in 2010/11.