Grimau's Barça gets its first big challenge at a good time. Five victories in their last six games adorn the Barça team before their emergence into the Copa del Rey. He faces Carpena, yes, his first duel without a net of the season. The irregularity exhibited in some moments of the course no longer has a place in the quintessential tournament of the year. And even less so in the face of a Catalan derby against a Baxi Manresa that lands in Malaga with the guarantee of having made things difficult for Barça in their three matches this season. In short, an exciting quarterfinal match.
“We arrived at a good level and we are prepared for a competition as special as the Copa del Rey,” argued Roger Grimau, Barcelona coach, three-time champion of the tournament as a player – all with Barça –, who makes his debut in Malaga on the bench. .
The Barça team has unfinished business with the Cup after losing in its debut against Unicaja last year in Badalona. It is worth remembering that Ricy Rubio has not traveled with the Barcelona team.
On the Manresa side, in what is his fourth participation in a Cup, no one beats him in excitement although he does not have good memories of his last participation. In Granada, two years ago, he also crossed paths with Barça at the first opportunity and came out scalded (107-70). But that matters little now in the ranks of Pedro Martínez, in a most remarkable season. “It is not normal for Manresa to play in the Cup but we will have our chances if we are faithful to our style,” the coach predicted.
