Copa del Rey 2018/19: Barcelona vs Cultural Leonesa

As we might have expected prior to the game itself, Barcelona cruised past Cultural Leonesa in a convincing 4-1 display that saw them through to the last 16 in Copa del Rey. What was interesting was the fact that 76 398 people arrived at the fabled Camp Nou to watch the game, which is a big number considering it is “just” a cup game.

The Catalans struggled in the away fixture, what for the lack of trying and what for the surge of their Division 2B hosts that gave all they had. Sadly for La Cultu, it was not enough, on both occasions.

This tactical analysis will use statistics to determine what tipped the scales in Barcelona’s favour and how the Blaugrana secured their spot in the next stage of the tournament.

Line ups

Barcelona (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Cillessen; N. Semedo, Chumi, Vermaelen, Miranda; I. Rakitić, Oriol Busquets, Aleñá; Denis Suarez, Munir, Malcom

Bench: Ter Stegen, Vermaelen, Busquets, Riqui Puig, Guillem, Coutinho, Dembélé

Coach: Ernesto Valverde

Cultural Leonesa (4-4-2)

Starting XI: Palatsí; Alonso, Albizua, Bernal, Díaz; Señé, Yeray, Romero, Mance; Rodríguez, Ortiz

Bench: Escalante, Diarra, González, Capilla, Zelu, Aridane, Martínez

Coach: Victor Cea Zurita

Barcelona’s Setup

Ernesto Valverde made a total of four changes from last time these two teams faced off and decided to give a chance to some, as he put it, “less prominent” names in the team. Carles Alena, Chumi, Ivan Rakitić, and Oriol Busquets were the changes from last time.

The biggest surprise was the inclusion of the Croat but it was a forced substitution at the last second due to high fever Arturo Vidal experienced before the game. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba were excluded from the team and given a well-deserved rest.