Does Lamine Yamal play today? Where to watch Racing x Barcelona for the Copa del Rey live; game delayed

Barcelona enters the field this Thursday, January 15, to face Racing Santander in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. The match takes place at Estádio El Sardinero, at Santander, at Espanha, with a local time of 9pm (peninsular Espanha time). The duel represents the Catalan team’s first commitment after winning Supercopa from Espanha and coach Hansi-Dieter Flick plans rotations in the team to manage the squad.

Lamine Yamal, a young standout from Barcelona, is confirmed in the relationship and should start the match. The 18-year-old striker appears in the likely lineup in the offensive sector, alongside names like Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. Flick chose to preserve part of the usual starters after the final of Supercopa against Real Madrid, but keeps key players to avoid surprises against the leader of the Spanish Segunda Divisão.

Barcelona Escalation

Barcelona should play in a 4-3-3 formation, with Wojciech Szczęsny in goal after the recovery of Marc-André ter Stegen. The defense has Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde and possibly João Cancelo on the side. In the middle, Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal organize the game, while the attack has Lamine Yamal on the right wing, Dani Olmo centralized and Ferran Torres on the left. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha start on the bench, ready to enter the second stage.

Racing Santander seeks to surprise at home

Racing Santander, the hosts of the match, enters motivated after a good campaign in the Segunda Divisão. Coach José Alberto López should play in a 4-4-2 formation, with Jon Ezkieta in goal and a defense formed by Mantilla, Castro, Hernando and García. The midfield features Camara, Aldasoro, Gueye and Íñigo Sáinz-Maza, while Arana and Guliashvili make up the attack. The local team bets on the strength of El Sardinero to complicate the life of Barcelona and advance in the competition.

Streaming and where to watch live

The match will be broadcast live on Brasil on ESPN on closed TV and on Disney+ on streaming. The signal starts minutes before kickoff, allowing fans to follow all the moves in real time. International Fãs can access official Copa del Rey platforms or local channels depending on the country.

History and context of the confrontation

Barcelona has a wide historical advantage in duels against Racing Santander, with significant victories in recent decades. The last direct meeting took place years ago in LaLiga, with Catalan dominance. Nesta edition of Copa del Rey, the single game format increases the pressure as there is no margin for error. The winner advances directly to the quarterfinals.

Strategic rotation of Flick

Hansi-Dieter Flick confirmed rotations for the duel, preserving players who played intensely in Supercopa. The inclusion of Lamine Yamal indicates confidence in the young man, who has recovered well from recent discomforts and actively participates in training. Outros names like Ronald Araújo and Marc Bernal must also gain minutes to maintain the competitive pace.

Racing’s knockout challenges

Racing Santander arrives as an underdog, but leads Segunda Divisão and shows defensive consistency at home. The team needs to neutralize Barcelona’s speed plays, especially on the wings with Lamine Yamal. Referee José Maria Sanchez Santos commands the match, with an average of five cards per game this season.

Expectations for the duel

Barcelona seeks to maintain the momentum after its recent title and advance in the Copa del Rey, a competition in which it defends tradition. Lamine Yamal represents a fundamental piece in the attack and his presence increases the offensive potential. Racing tries to repeat the feats of zebras in knockout stages and surprise the Catalan giant in front of the fans.