Xavi not underrating InterCity, set to field first team players

Barcelona manager Xavi has stated that he will not underestimate lower league side, InterCity when both teams meet in the Copa Del Rey fixture on Wednesday.

The game will be the first competitive match between both teams, but the second time that they will be facing each other in less than a month after a mid-season friendly between both teams during the world cup break, even though Barca fielded a reserve team. 

Xavi spoke about the availability of first-team players, including Memphis Depay, who has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou.

Barca’s first game since the return from the World Cup was a 1-1 draw against Espanyol in La Liga, but the manager doesn’t think this will be an easier tie either.

“It’s always very difficult for us in the first game of the Cup, I remember eliminations against Figueres and Gramanet, and it’s a round full of surprises. We have Intercity’s report because they played against the reserve team. For us, La Liga is the most important objective outside of the Champions League, but we are very excited about the Cup, and it is very important; we want to compete for it.” Xavi said

Meanwhile, Poland striker Robert Lewandowski and Spain midfielder Pedri Gonzalez are the two main team players who will not play the game as they were rested by the manager.

The new competition format means round 32 games will be played away from home by the big teams and thus gives the possibility of shock victories and upsets, especially as it will be a one-leg affair.

However, the upset was scarce in Tuesday’s fixtures as Villarreal, Valencia and Real Madrid all won away from home. On Wednesday, Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid will all travel to lower league oppositions in the Copa Del Rey.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu