With kickoff only a little more than an hour away, FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has announced the starting lineup for their Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash against Racing Santander.
And there are some notable changes made to the side, with the manager opting to rotate a few players while still playing a very strong team.
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The big news is that young midfielder Marc Bernal starts only his second game of the season, after having done so in the last cup tie against Guadalajara.
The 18-year-old is partnered with fellow La Masia midfielder Marc Casado, with Flick opting to give Pedri a rest. Dani Olmo replaces Fermin Lopez in the No. 10 role.
FC Barcelona have officially announced their starting XI for the Copa del Rey clash against Racing Santander, signaling a balanced mix of experience and rotation as they look to progress in the competition.
The lineup reflects Barcelona’s intent to control possession while maintaining defensive stability. Several regular starters feature in key positions, supported by squad players eager to make an impact in domestic cup action. The selection highlights the club’s depth and the manager’s focus on managing player workload across a demanding schedule.
Racing Santander, meanwhile, enter the match aiming to challenge Barcelona with intensity and organization, hoping to capitalize on any opportunities against the Spanish giants.
As the Copa del Rey continues to deliver exciting matchups, Barcelona’s starting XI underscores their ambition to compete strongly for silverware. Fans will be watching closely to see how the selected lineup performs in this important knockout fixture.
Meanwhile, Gerard Martin comes into the team at centre-back, replacing Eric Garcia as Pau Cubarsi’s partner. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde continue as the two full-backs while Joan Garcia starts ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.
Up top, Ferran Torres replaces Robert Lewandowski as the No. 9, while Marcus Rashford comes in for Raphinha, who played the Spanish Super Cup final with pain. Lamine Yamal retains his place on the right flank, meaning Roony Bardghji is on the bench.
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