To kick off 2025, FC Barcelona were guests of fourth division team UD Barbastro in the last sixteen of the Copa del Rey, as they were the previous season. The superior Catalans did not show any weakness and ensured a clear result.
Towards the end of last year, FC Barcelona were no longer really doing well: in their last seven league games, they only managed one victory. Compared to the recent 2-1 home defeat to Atletico Madrid, coach Hansi Flick made six changes: Szczesny started in goal instead of Inaki Pena, making his competitive debut for the Blaugrana. Araujo, Martin, de Jong, Eric and Pablo Torre also started in place of Cubarsi, Balde, Casado, Gavi and Raphinha.
Two headed goals in the first half
The Catalans underlined their role as favorites from the first minute and had a lot of possession. Koundé (8th) and Araujo (21st) both headed the ball towards the goal, which Eric (21st) finally scored with a header after a cross from Araujo. Even with the 1-0 lead, the guests controlled the game. Fermin almost scored the 2-0 (26).
A few minutes later, Lewandowski did better after a free-kick from Pablo Torre: it was another header that put the ball in the net (31). Barcelona continued to dominate after that, with the underdogs managing just a single dangerous shot on target during the first half. However, the Barca keeper did manage to make a save on Javito’s shot (33′).
Pablo Torre involved in three goals
After the break, the Blaugrana quickly made everything clear: Lewandowski scored first after Pablo Torre’s pass (47th) to make it 3-0. A little later, the creator of the goal took advantage of a bad pass from goalkeeper Arnau Fabrega to make the final decision (56th). The second and third goals were assisted by the midfielder.
Flick used the result for a triple change, after which the Catalans’ offensive actions noticeably diminished. Barbastro, on the other hand, had nothing left to lose and appeared a few times in front of the visitors’ goal, but it was only through an almost own goal from Martin (87th) that it became really dangerous. On the other side, both Ansu Fati (85th) and Fermin (89th) missed an even higher score.
Barcelona, who won convincingly in contrast to the close 3-2 almost a year ago, will be in action again on Wednesday: the Catalans will face Athletic Bilbao in Saudi Arabia in the Super Cup semi-final.
