The first team members know that tonight’s match will not be easy. The team, according to Jordi Roura, will approach the last 16 return leg of the Copa del Rey with “all the seriousness in the world.” The Blaugrana want to qualify for the quarter-finals - where Pellegrini’s Málaga await - by playing the same kind of football that they’ve displayed in La Liga (21.30, TV3 and Telecinco). Eager for a historic comeback, Córdoba come into the match against FC Barcelona with nothing to lose after the 0-2 from the away leg.
19 men named to the team, only one Barça B player
Jordi Roura has named 18 first team footballers and Barça B’s Sergi Roberto to the team for tonight’s match. The assistant manager will have to drop one player from the squad before the match. Only Piqué, Xavi, Iniesta and Pedro were not named to the team. The four-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi, who scored a brace in the away leg, will line up against Córdoba. “The important thing is to not break the team’s good dynamic,” said Roura.
Brave and intense Córdoba
FC Barcelona’s assistant manager said he expects a very intense Córdoba side. The Andalusians come into tonight’s match after drawing at the Nuevo Arcángel Stadium with Mirandés (0-0). Córdoba currently sit in the Liga Adelante’s 12th spot with 27 points.