Barcelona’s Copa del Rey opponents extremely motivated for upcoming clash: “Have to do more than them”

Barcelona did not sign off 2023 in the manner they would have hoped. The Catalans may have beaten Porto and Atletico Madrid in December but defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and Girona before the break left the team with a bitter aftertaste.

Come January, two new competitions arrive on the Blaugranas’ calendar – the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona begin their cup campaign against UD Barbastro on 7th January before facing off against Osasuna in the Spanish Super Cup opener just four days later.

Eyes on the Cup

The first round of the Copa del Rey pits Xavi’s men against a team in the Spanish fourth division. Barcelona are overwhelming favourites on paper, but the picture is not as straightforward.

Having the home advantage against the defending Spanish champions, the minnows refuse to count themselves out.

As revealed by SPORT in a recent update, the Barbostro dressing room is taking the match very seriously and are heavily motivated.

“We have to do more than them. We hope that it will be difficult for Xavi’s men to keep up with us,” they say in the dressing room, emphasising that they have everything to gain and not much on the line.

The Huesca-based club have already returned to training as of today and is looking to gun down a famous win in what will be one of the biggest games in their history.

Considering that they do not play any game before the clash against Barcelona, they hope to complete seven uninterrupted training sessions to out-prepare their opponents.

A ferocious atmosphere

The right atmosphere in a stadium can make even the best in the business doubt their ability.

Barbastro are thus preparing their fortress, the Municipal Stadium, for the big night. The facility has accommodation for 3000 fans but will look to double the audience for the big game with additional seating.

Moreover, the fact that Barbostro are selling tickets for just €25 to €50 paves the way for a ferocious crowd for the Copa del Rey fixture.

It comes as a wake-up call for Xavi’s men who are still on their extended holidays and have yet to return to work amidst a run of poor form.