Madrid court on Saturday granted resolution in a case involving Robert Lewandowski, noting that his absence from play during a three-game sanction affected the expectations surrounding the midweek clash. The upcoming match, scheduled for 21:00, is a historic confrontation between Intercity and Barcelona at José Rico Pérez, with around 25,000 tickets already sold and a palpable sense of anticipation in the venue.
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Barça began its current King’s Cup journey with a bye through the first two rounds, keeping the season’s top scorer, the Polish striker Lewandowski, added focus on his club duties in Barcelona. The coach opted to rest after the exhausting World Cup schedule in Qatar.
Terrassa’s coach confirms Ronald Araújo is fully fit. He will contribute with leadership and aggression on the field. Perez emphasizes the defender’s readiness and impact.
The young midfielder is also expected to have meaningful moments against Intercity. He remains a first-team player, though there is a path to the subsidiary if needed, according to the Barça coach.
With Lewandowski absent, the team plans to rely on Iñaki Peña for goalkeeping after the Royal Spanish Football Federation ruled that a player over 23 with a particular file would not be eligible. Documents have been submitted to secure Peña’s first-team status, and the club awaits federation communication on a final decision.
It is a timely moment for the goalkeeper, who notes that the squad believes in a competitive future and is confident Peña can contribute at the highest level.
FC Barcelona’s rapid travel plan to Alicante begins with an early departure from El Prat, a short flight to El Altet, and a transfer to the hotel after a midday arrival. The team bus stands ready to take them to the venue, which is located near the central market. The schedule anticipates a full day of preparation and travel, with a return planned as soon as the Rico Pérez result is decided.
The Barça coach spoke clearly about Lewandowski’s absence, explaining he was rested to prevent overuse and to ensure the squad is ready for the league clash against Atlético de Madrid. The message was one of caution and recovery, underscoring that a lenient approach could lead to better long-term outcomes for the squad.
“It’s a tough, very strong opponent, an opponent who has pushed Siverio and has eight players going through this house and makes it harder because they’re going to want to show something and they’re going to be very motivated.”
In addressing Espanyol’s decision to challenge the derby amid Lewandowski’s comparable absence, the coach kept his stance simple: the team acted according to what was necessary to judge the situation. If Espanyol believes that challenging to break the routine is part of their job, that remains their decision to make.
Direct Intercity – Barcelona: King’s Cup Clash in Alicante
Pedro Rojas
The press conference featured the manager’s perspective on the lineup. The idea was to rotate players returning from injuries like Araújo or García, but this does not mean that Intercity should be dismissed as a minor opponent from the First Federation. The encounter has always carried significant weight for both clubs.
“This King’s Cup match has always carried heavy stakes. It’s tough when you are favored because there is little to gain and a lot to lose.”
Looking ahead to the derby, the coach highlighted the challenge of balancing ambition with caution. The Cup format, he noted, can breed surprises and keeps the audience engaged, even as expectations run high for the favorites.
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Barça’s approach blends resilience with strategic rotation, aiming to keep key players fresh while leveraging the depth of the squad. The coach underscored that rotation does not imply a devaluation of the Cup’s value; rather, it reflects a practical strategy to manage a congested schedule and maintain competitive momentum across competitions.
Taking a broader view, the manager stressed that the team must adapt quickly to theCup’s rhythm and respond to the intense pressure that comes with a knockout format. The choice to push for a strong performance remains intact, even as injuries and fatigue factor into the equation.