Barcelona announce Copa squad to face Atletico Madrid

Barcelona train ahead of Atléti tie | Image: FCB

After an unfortunate 1-1 draw to Real Betis in the league that saw their five-game winning streak come to an end, Barcelona will be hoping to return to winning ways in the Copa del Rey when they take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the semifinal of the 2016/2017 edition of the tournament at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico Madrid have improved during the course of the year but also were lucky to get a draw in the weekend after Alavés played a 0-0 draw with them. This still doesn’t guarantee Barcelona will have an easy ride on Wednesday night and Luis Enrique has named 18 players in his squad to travel to Madrid for the game.

The list features one new name in Rafinha Alcántara who returned from an injury and he is likely to start in midfield. However, star men Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are still out through injuries while left back Lucas Digne joins them in the hospital bed after picking up a knock to his knee against Real Betis on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen has been given a rest which means Jasper Cillessen is set to continue his duty as cup goalkeeper, where he’s been impressive lately.

BARÇA SQUAD VS ATLETICO MADRID

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen, Jordi Masip;

Defenders: Aleix Vidal, Sergi Roberto, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jérémy Mathieu, Jordi Alba;

Midfielders: Ivan Rakitic, Rafinha Alcántara, Denis Suarez, André Gomes, Arda Turan;

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Paco Alcacer.