The FC Barcelona will play against Granada in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. The Catalans visit Nuevo Los Cármenes and compete against the Nazarís for a place in the semi-finals of the cup tournament. A complicated duel against the always combative Granada team, which will make it difficult. For this reason, no massive rotations from Ronald Koeman are expected for this engagement.
Everything indicates that the The Barcelona coach has several undisputed starters for the clash. Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets, Ronald Araújo or Jordi Alba are expected to play, although there are certain doubts on Ousmane Dembélé or Antoine Griezmann as one of them could rest. In addition, there are doubts on the right after the recovery of Sergiño Dest and Sergi Roberto. Here’s our prediction of the lineups of both teams
Possible alignments of the Granada-FC Barcelona
- Granada: Rui Silva; Foulquier, Domingos, Germán, Vallejo, Neva; Yan Eteki, Montoro, Antonio Puertas, Soro; Soldier.
- FC Barcelona: Neto; Roberto, Araújo, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Pjanic, Riqui Puig; Dembélé, Messi and Braithwaite.
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Neto Murara returns under the sticks in the cup, as in Cornellà and Vallecas. The Brazilian always sets the standard when he plays and nothing less is expected from him in Nuevo Los Cármenes. He is a level-headed goalkeeper, who usually makes no mistakes and who will do everything he can to keep fighting for the position with Marc-André ter Stegen.
Sergi Roberto-Araújo-Lenglet-Jordi Alba
There are several doubts in the defense, as Ronald Araújo has only rested 1 game of the last 14 games. The Uruguayan has six starts in a row and could rest, but his great form suggests he will continue to lead the rear. Clément Lenglet is expected to join his side after Samuel Umtiti started the competition on Sunday. To the left, without Junior Firpo, who has been omitted from the list, is Jordi Alba. On the right side, however, there are more doubts as both Sergi Roberto and Sergiño Dest are available after overcoming his injuries. Both will fight Óscar Mingueza for the position, but it could be a good time to test Reus after his two months of inactivity.
Busquets-Pjanic-Riqui Puig
Sergio Busquets did not play in the competition due to suspension, so he will definitely start. By his side, Koeman is expected to continue with Miralem Pjanic after his good performance against Athletic. In this case, Frenkie de Jong would rest, but the Dutchman is in such a high form that it cannot be ruled out that he started. The other inside could be Riqui Puig, who didn’t play on Sunday and was a starter in both Cornellà and Vallecas in the cup.
Messi-Braithwaite-Dembélé
Up front, everything indicates that Dembélé or Griezmann will rest. One of the two leaves his post to Martin Braithwaite, who played only three minutes against Athletic on Sunday. Although Antoine arrives after scoring against the ‘lions’, in ‘FCBN’ we bet on Ousmane, which can start right or left depending on where Leo Messi is playing. The Argentinian will start to continue his good streak and could play as both a ‘false attacker’, leaving Braithwaite left and right, with the Dane of ‘9’ and Dembele on the left.