Sevilla vs. Barcelona: Junior & Umtiti start Copa del Rey semi-final
Koeman's been forced to field a makeshift back four for the first leg game
Barcelona face Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal, with the return leg at Camp Nou in March.
The Copa del Rey has emerged as Barça's shortest path to a trophy and Ronald Koeman feels it's best route to success this season, despite a tough run so far: extra-time was needed against Cornella, a comeback was needed against Rayo Vallecano and a comeback and extra-time was needed to beat Granada 5-3 in the last eight.
Next up is Sevilla, who, like Barça, have started 2021 in fine form, winning 10 of their 11 games, so Koeman's named his strong possible attack, although his defence has been conditioned by injuries. Barça are missing eight players: Dest, Pjanic, Braithwaite, Araujo, Piqué, Sergi Roberto, Coutinho and Ansu Fati.
For that reason, the Dutch coach has brought in Junior Firpo at right-back, shifting Oscar Mingueza into the middle alongside Samuel Umtiti, with only Jordi Alba at lest-back considered a first choice defender.
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Junior, Umtiti, Mingueza, Jordi Alba; Busquets, De Jong, Pedri; Dembélé, Messi and Griezmann.
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