Three key talking points ahead of Barcelona vs CD Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are set to take a short trip to the north-east of Madrid to face CD Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. It is their debut in the competition this season and, on paper, a fairly straightforward match for the Catalan club.

The players of the third-division side showed immense joy after learning they had drawn FC Barcelona. Despite realistically having little chance of a result, it gives them an opportunity to go head-to-head with some of the best players in Spain.

Hansi Flick will be keen to rotate and give young players a chance to start tonight. The German manager has largely maintained the same starting line-up with only minor changes in recent weeks, and some players need rest.

With all this in mind, here are three talking points for Barcelona as they prepare to face Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey.

1: Who will be the starting goalkeeper?

Marc-André ter Stegen received the medical green light to return to the bench a couple of games ago and, since then, Hansi Flick has repeatedly stated that Joan Garcia will continue as the number one despite the club captain’s return.

In the Copa del Rey, the second goalkeeper tends to play, and this is a toss-up between Wojciech Szczesny and ter Stegen. The former missed the squad last weekend due to a stomach bug but is now available for tonight’s game.

Ahead of the match, Flick kept his cards close to his chest, offering nothing away in terms of team news. Should ter Stegen not get the nod tomorrow, he has almost certainly played his last game in Blaugrana colors.

It remains to be seen what Flick decides. Ter Stegen will be keen to get minutes ahead of a World Cup year, and an omission tonight might prompt him to seek a new club in January. Let us wait and see how things play out.

2: A chance for Roony Bardghji?

A couple of weeks ago, Swedish wonderkid Roony Bardghji got a chance against Real Betis and took it with both hands. He was one of the best players on the pitch on that occasion, but has since been relegated to the bench.

There is little doubt the 20-year-old is likely to start against Guadalajara. With Lamine Yamal likely to be rested, it makes sense for Flick to give Bardghji a chance.

Although the opposition is, with all due respect, not at the same level, for players like Roony, it is a point to prove. He has the chance to show Flick why he deserves more minutes.

Everything points to the right winger being an important part of Flick’s squad throughout the season. The German manager will also hope other fringe players, along with Roony, catch the eye tonight.

3: Difficult conditions

Although the level of a third-division side is inferior to Barcelona’s, Flick will be wary of the challenges his team could encounter tonight due to factors beyond the game itself.

Early away Copa del Rey ties have proved an Achilles heel for Barcelona in the past, especially since the competition’s transition to single-legged knockouts. The pitch at such grounds does not always suit Barcelona’s football.

The Guadalajara home side has erected a temporary stand to increase capacity for the Barcelona game. For them, it is a moment of celebration to face Spain’s best team, and the crowd is bound to turn up in numbers.

It remains to be seen how Flick and his team handle these challenges. They are easier said than done, and only time will tell how this develops.