Overview
Albacete entered this match with a 5-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, including 4 wins and 1 draw.
Recent form has brought them a significant boost before one of the most important nights in the club's modern history. Currently ranked 12th in Segunda Division, Alberto Gonzalez's team has accumulated 33 points after 24 matches, with 9 wins, 6 draws and 9 defeats.
After being eliminated in the first round of last season's Copa del Rey for losing 1-2 to CE Europa, Albacete has shown significant progress this season. Their journey to the quarter-finals was marked by a dramatic victory over Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Javi Villar opened the score in the 42nd minute before Franco Mastantuono equalized for Real Madrid. Substitute Jefte Betancor helped Albacete take the lead again in the 82nd minute, but Gonzalo Garcia equalized in injury time. However, Betancor scored in the 90+4 minute to seal a spectacular 3-2 victory and take Albacete further.
Albacete has never won the Copa del Rey. Their best achievement was in the 1994-1995 season when they reached the semi-finals. This quarter-final appearance is the team's second best achievement in the tournament.
Albacete also entered the match with excitement after a 2-0 victory over Real Zaragoza in the national championship last weekend. Goals from Agus Medina and Betancor further strengthened the confidence in the attack.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is still the most successful team in Copa del Rey history with 32 cup lifts. The Catalan giant is the defending champion, after defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in extra time in last season's final.
Hansi Flick's team currently leads La Liga with 55 points after 22 matches, including 18 wins, 1 draw and only 3 defeats. They continued to maintain impressive form at the weekend with a 3-1 comeback victory over Elche, overcoming initial difficulties thanks to goals from Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford.
Barcelona has won 4/5 recent matches in all competitions, and at the same time overwhelmed Albacete in recent encounters when they have won all 6 recent encounters between the two teams. The most recent meeting took place in La Liga in 2005, when Barcelona won 2-0.
Personnel situation
On Albacete's side, Higinio Marin is having problems with a thigh injury, so his ability to play is still uncertain, while Edward Cedeno is still unable to play after surgery.
Betancor is expected to start after scoring two goals in the match against Real Madrid, and continuing to score last weekend.
Raul Lizoain will continue to start, while Javier Moreno and Carlos Neva are likely to be pillars in the center of the defense.
Capi, Antonio Pacheco, Javi Villar and Ale Melendez are likely to form the midfield, while Betancor and Agus Medina lead the attack.
In the opposite direction, Barcelona is still missing Gavi due to a long-term injury, while Pedri is out of action due to a hamstring injury and is expected to return at the end of February.
Andreas Christensen is also unable to participate as he is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Hansi Flick can rotate the squad, with Marc Bernal likely to be placed in midfield to replace Frenkie de Jong.
Expected lineup:
Raul Lizoain, Aguado, Moreno, Neva, Gomez, Capi, Pacheco, Villar, Melendez, Betancor, Medina.
Garcia, Balde, Garcia, Cubarsi, Kounde, Lopez, Bernal, Olmo, Rashford, Torres, Yamal.
The match between Albacete and Barcelona takes place at 3:00 AM on February 4th (Vietnam time).
