Barcelona visits Albacete this Tuesday (3) for the quarter-finals of Copa of Rei 2025/2026, in a unique clash at Estádio Carlos Belmonte, at Albacete, at Espanha. The ball rolls at 9pm local Spanish time, equivalent to 5pm Brasília time. The Catalan team, leader of LaLiga and current champion of the competition, enters as a strong favorite against the opponent from Segunda Divisão, who eliminated Real Madrid in the previous phase and is looking for a new upset.
Raphinha doesn’t play today. The Brazilian striker has an overload on the adductor muscle in his right leg and was preserved by the club’s medical department, with an estimated recovery period of one week. Embora the official starting lineup has not yet been released by coach Hansi Flick, sources close to the squad indicate that the player will not participate in the match, leaving room for adjustments in the offensive sector.
The live broadcast is carried out by ESPN on pay TV and Disney+ on streaming. Real-time coverage is available on specialized digital platforms, with constant updates on bids, statistics and analysis. The game is direct elimination for 90 minutes, with no extra time in case of a draw.
Absence of Raphinha and impacts on the Barcelona attackRaphinha’s injury comes at a delicate moment, as the Brazilian has been a frequent starter and contributed with goals and assists this season. Sua’s absence forces Flick to reorganize the attack, probably with Lamine Yamal on the right wing and Ferran Torres or Lewandowski more centralized. The medical department opted for precaution to avoid worsening the muscular condition. Preservation aims to ensure full recovery before heavier commitments in LaLiga and Champions League.
Where to watch and official timesThe duel can be followed on ESPN and Disney+, with narration in Portuguese and options from multiple angles. Tempo Real offers detailed monitoring for those who prefer to follow via mobile devices or computers. The local time at Albacete favors the home fans, who must fill the stadium to put pressure on Barcelona. No Brasil, the match takes place in the late afternoon.
Probable lineup and other absencesBarcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Eric García, Cubarsí, Balde; Fermín López, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo; Rashford, Ferran Torres (or Lewandowski), Lamine Yamal. Técnico: Hansi Flick. Sem Raphinha, the attack loses one of its main weapons of speed and finishing. Outros fixed absences include Gavi, Pedri and Christensen, all recovering from long-term injuries. Albacete: Raul Lizoain; Aguado, Moreno, Neva, Gomez; Capi, Pacheco, Villar, Melendez; Betancor, Medina. Técnico: Alberto González. Higinio Marín and Edward Cedeño remain out due to physical problems.
Current team formBarcelona maintains an impressive pace, with 14 wins in the last 15 games in all competitions and just one defeat since December, against Real Sociedad. The club leads LaLiga and has already secured a direct place in the round of 16 of Champions League. Albacete arrives motivated, undefeated for five rounds in Segunda Divisão, with four wins and one draw. Apesar from 12th place in the table, the victory over Real Madrid in Copa from Rei boosts the group’s morale.
History in competition and favoritismBarcelona is the biggest winner of Copa from Rei, with 32 titles, and beat Racing Santander 2-0 in the previous phase. The team seeks to advance to the semifinals, maintaining the good moment under the command of Flick. Para o Albacete, this is the first quarter-final appearance in the club’s recent history. The local fans see the game as a historic opportunity for another giant elimination.
Elements that can influence the resultBarcelona must impose ball possession and high pressure from the start, exploiting superior technical quality. Albacete relies on compact marking and counterattacks to surprise. The support of the fans at Carlos Belmonte and the stadium’s pitch can balance the forces. Flick reinforced the importance of a strong mentality and adapting to the opponent. Referee José Luis Munuera Montero acts with the assistance of the VAR.
The confrontation begins with Barcelona controlling the offensive actions, while Albacete resists to exploit errors. The confirmed absence of Raphinha has already been defined, and the official lineup comes out minutes before kickoff.
