FC Barcelona Faces Real Betis in Copa del Rey Round of 16 Showdown

FC Barcelona is set to clash with Real Betis in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match on January 15, 2025. This thrilling encounter will take place at Estadi Montjuïc, and will kick off at 21:00 CET. Barcelona comes into this match following their impressive triumph in the Supercopa de España, where they defeated Real Madrid in the final. Coach Xavi Hernandez has made tactical changes to his starting eleven for this high-stakes game. Key players notably absent from the lineup include Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, and Gavi, all of whom have been replaced in a five-change strategy compared to the Supercopa final. Xavi is looking to rotate his squad to manage fatigue ahead of critical fixtures in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. The team has secured two consecutive wins since their Supercopa victory and aims to maintain momentum against a resilient Real Betis side. Meanwhile, Betis is coming off a solid performance in their last La Liga encounter. The matchup promises to be a competitive affair as both teams are vying for advancement in the prestigious tournament. Stats reveal Barcelona’s recent performance is marked by strong possession and attacking play, while Betis aims to exploit any defensive lapses. Fans eagerly anticipate the tactical battle as both coaches, Xavi and Manuel Pellegrini, aim to outmaneuver each other on the pitch.