As the sting of their recent elimination from the Champions League group stage still lingers, Barcelona will begin their defense of the Copa del Rey title this Thursday, a competition they have dominated historically. For the third consecutive year, the tournament will be held in Calafell, Tarragona, and Barcelona will look to extend their impressive run, having won seven of the last eight editions. Their quest for a fourth consecutive title starts with a quarterfinal matchup against Noia Freixenet on Thursday at 20:45, while Pons Lleida takes on PAS Alcoi at 18:15.
The azulgrana team, with their impressive record of 26 Copa del Rey titles and 40 finals appearances, are undoubtedly the favorites to retain their crown, which they won last season at the same venue, the Pavelló Municipal Joan Ortoll de Calafell, with a convincing 6-0 victory over Senergy Renovables Sant Just. Under the guidance of David Cáceres, Barcelona remains unbeaten in the Parlem OÑ Liga after 19 matches, boasting 18 wins and a single draw. However, their disappointing group stage exit in the Champions League has opened up possibilities for other contenders, including their first opponent, Noia Freixenet.
Noia Freixenet, currently fifth in the domestic competition with 30 points, will attempt to pull off an upset in their fourth encounter of the season against Barcelona. Their previous meetings have seen Barcelona emerge victorious twice (7-1 in the league and 6-1 in the Champions League), while Noia Freixenet managed a surprise 3-2 win in the Champions League. The winner of this quarterfinal will face the victor of the Pons Lleida-PAS Alcoi matchup in the semifinals, a duel that promises to be closely contested between the seventh and eighth-placed teams in the league. PAS Alcoi will enter the game with a psychological boost, having won their last league encounter 5-2.
On the other side of the bracket, Reus Deportiu Virginias will clash with hosts Parlem Calafell in a local derby flavored with a desire for revenge, following the elimination of Parlem Calafell in the quarterfinals of 2023 by a narrow 2-1 margin. Reus Deportiu Virginias, currently third in the championship behind Deportivo Liceo and Barcelona, are favorites to advance to the semifinals but cannot afford to underestimate the team coached by Guillem Cabestany, especially after Parlem Calafell’s 3-0 win in their last meeting.
The final quarterfinal matchup will see Deportivo Liceo, the second-placed team, face off against Igualada Rigat, who are sixth. Deportivo Liceo will aim to replicate their performance from the last meeting between the two teams, which they won 3-1. Under the leadership of Juan Carlos Copa, Deportivo Liceo presents a strong alternative to Barcelona’s dominance, with ten Copa del Rey titles to their name. Notably, they are the last team to have beaten Barcelona in the tournament, securing a 3-2 victory in the 2021 final held in A Coruña.
Quarterfinal Matchups Preview
The stage is set for what promises to be an exciting quarterfinal round, with each matchup carrying its own unique storyline and potential for upsets. As the teams take to the court, several key questions will be answered: Can Barcelona overcome their Champions League disappointment and continue their Copa del Rey dominance? Will Noia Freixenet manage to pull off a shocking victory against the favorites? How will the other contenders fare in their quests for the title? The journey to the semifinals begins this week in Calafell, promising thrilling encounters and unforeseen twists.
Team Profiles and Recent Form
- Barcelona: The reigning champions are looking to bounce back from a disappointing Champions League campaign. Their domestic form has been impeccable, but the Champions League exit has raised questions about their consistency on the big stage.
- Noia Freixenet: With a mix of wins and losses against Barcelona this season, Noia Freixenet will be looking to capitalize on any potential slip-up by the favorites.
- Deportivo Liceo: As one of the most successful teams in the competition, they are poised to challenge Barcelona’s dominance, especially given their past victories over the azulgrana team.
- Reus Deportiu Virginias and Parlem Calafell: This local derby adds an extra layer of intensity to the quarterfinals, with both teams seeking to advance and make a statement in the tournament.
The Copa del Rey quarterfinals are set to kick off an exciting phase of the competition, filled with anticipation, intense rivalries, and the pursuit of glory. As the teams clash in Calafell, only time will tell which contenders will rise to the challenge and move one step closer to claiming the coveted title.