Joao Cancelo will be in contention to feature when Barcelona and Athletic Club clash at San Mames in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Barcelona will aim to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals when they lock horns with Athletic Club at San Mames in the quarter-final on Wednesday night. And Xavi Hernandez has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Andreas Christensen and Joao Cancelo are available after recovering from their respective injuries. The duo is a part of the travelling squad to take on Athletic Club this midweek. But Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Inigo Martinez, Gavi, and Raphinha remain in the treatment room.
Xavi spoke about Cancelo and Christensen during his pre-match press conference. The Barcelona boss said the duo was ready to play and should feature on Wednesday. He also discussed the possibility of utilising youngsters in his team.
He said, “They are fine, they are ready to play. They will have minutes, Joao has no more discomfort, he wants to force, he wants to play. And Chrisenten is the same, he’s doing very well.”
“Yes, Lamine is a reality, Marc Guiu, Fermín himself, Balde, Pau Cubarsí, we have very prepared young players. I see a very prepared generation. We have a short squad and a complicated financial situation and we will use them.”
One youngster Xavi did not mention should feature for Barcelona against Athletic Club this midweek. Hector Fort will likely take the right-back berth, with Cancelo being an option on the bench. So, Jules Kounde should return to the heart of the defence, where he will accompany Ronald Araujo. Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde is an automatic pick as the left-back.
The defensive quartet will protect Inaki Pena, who will continue deputising for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Ilkay Gundogan. So, Fermin Lopez and Oriol Romeu will be options on the bench.
There should be one final change in the attack, with Joao Felix returning to the starting lineup. The Portuguese international should accompany Robert Lewandowski and the in-form Ferran Torres in the offensive unit.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Fort, Kounde, Araujo, Balde; Pedri, Gundogan, de Jong; Torres, Lewandowski, Felix
