FC Barcelona has moved ahead in the Champions League and gained three points in La Liga, now focusing on the Copa del Rey. After defeating Real Racing Club in the round of 16, they are competing against Albacete Balompié for a spot in the semifinals.
Who Was Blaugrana Facing?
Barcelona’s opponent may not be well-known even to Spanish league followers. Albacete currently plays in the Segunda División and holds the 12th position after 24 matches. They made headlines by reaching the quarterfinals of this year’s Copa del Rey.
On January 14, Albacete faced Real Madrid, where they were expected to lose. However, they surprised everyone by winning 3:2 with a late goal from Jefté Betancor.
Did Barcelona Do What Real Couldn’t?
Similar to their match against Real, the odds were stacked against Albacete. They had previously beaten Barcelona and were determined to do so again. In the first half, they maintained pressure and did not allow Barcelona to control the game, even with a higher possession rate.
Despite Albacete’s strong efforts, Barcelona scored first. In the 39th minute, Marcus Rashford passed the ball to Frenkie de Jong, who found Lamine Yamal. The young player needed just one touch to score, giving Barcelona the lead.
Jul 23, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo (4) plays against Barcelona at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Barcelona extended their lead in the second half with a header from Ronald Araújo after a corner. Albacete did not give up and scored a goal in the 87th minute, bringing the score to 1:2. Ferran Torres had a goal at the end of regular time, but it was disallowed.
What’s Next For Barcelona?
With this victory, Barcelona moves on to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. They will face one of the remaining six teams. On February 4, Valencia and Athletic Club, along with Alaves and Real Sociedad, will compete for spots in the next round. The following day, Real Betis and Atletico Madrid will also play.
Barcelona will now enjoy a quieter February without extra Champions League matches. Their next game is a league match against Mallorca on Saturday.
End Of My Barcelona Rant
With their quarterfinal win, Barcelona continues their Copa del Rey journey. They have been progressing well in all competitions despite some inconsistencies lately, providing reassurance for their supporters about the season ahead.