CD Guadalajara manager on facing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey – ‘A big festival’ | OneFootball

As one of the teams qualified for the Spanish Super Cup in January, Barcelona were granted byes in the first two rounds of the Copa del Rey and did not have to participate in the same.

Earlier this week, the draw for the third round was held, and Barcelona found out the name of their first opponent in this season’s edition – CD Guadalajara.

The RFEF Primera Division side are currently on a two-game winning streak, but notably were winless in their last five games prior to that and will look to put the brakes on Hansi Flick’s newly rejuvenated Barcelona.

Opposition manager speaks

Earlier today, the lower division team’s manager, Pere Marti, spoke to the media via SPORT in the buildup to his team’s game against Real Madrid Castilla.

He was asked about his team drawing Barcelona in the same interaction, and he described it as a big boost.

“I see them [the team] very well. I think it has been a very big energy boost, and my mission is to try to focus on the first thing that comes to us, which is Madrid [Castilla].”

He then dreamily spoke about what it would mean to beat Hansi Flick’s side and possibly eliminate them from the competition on the night.

“We will have a big festival here,” he said.

The game between Barcelona and Guadalajara will take place at the Estadio Pedro Escartin next week and will see the Catalans participate in a complicated game, as the opening games of the Copa del Rey are every year.

After all, the lower division clubs have nothing to lose and often come out all guns blazing, treating the game against Barcelona as the biggest game of their season. For the Catalans, meanwhile, it will be seen as a chance to rest some big names.

Hansi Flick, thus, must remain cautious to strike the right balance and ensure that his side gets the job done without any complications. After all, a lot is on the line for the Blaugrana, who are the defending champions.