Barcelona’s Copa del Rey 2025/26 campaign got underway on Tuesday night with an away Round of 32 match against CD Guadalajara of Primera Federación.
The Blaugrana qualified for the next round following a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Andreas Christensen.
It was generally anticipated that Hansi Flick would rotate his squad and give minutes to a number of fringe players given the division difference and Barcelona’s recent excellent play.
Although the game turned out to be more difficult than expected, the German coach did make a number of changes to his regular team, giving inexperienced players and squad members opportunities.
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Marc-Andre ter Stegen was given a rare start in goal, which was one of the most talked-about decisions of the evening.
After being sidelined for a long time, the German goalkeeper was able to return to the starting lineup thanks to Joan Garcia’s rest.
Flick Claims Ter Stegen Selection Was One-Off
Following the game, Flick clarified that Ter Stegen’s selection was a one-time choice, as reported by SPORT.
“For me, Marc is the captain. It was a good opportunity for him; he has given a lot to the club. We spoke with the coaching staff and decided that he would play. Just for this match.”
Even though the opposition were from a lower tier, Ter Stegen celebrated his return to action with a clean sheet.
Admitting that Copa del Rey matches are rarely simple, Flick also emphasized the significance of mindset and approach in such matches.
“I’m happy with the attitude and with the victory. These matches are never easy. We’re into the next round, which is the most important thing.”
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