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Copa del Rey charms: third and fourth-tier sides host Barca and Atleti
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 04.01.25. | 13:12
Barcelona face Barbastro, a club from the city with over five times smaller population than Camp Nou's capacity, while Atletico play Marbella for the first time since 2009
National cups are a unique opportunity for the minnows to face the giants, and the Spanish Copa del Rey is no exception. Among the several matches, two stand out: Barcelona's game against the fourth-tier UD Barbastro (21.00) and Atletico Madrid's duel with the third-tier Marbella FC (23.00).
The Catalans will face the club from the city of the same name with a population of around 17,000. Barca's home, Camp Nou, for instance, has a capacity of over 99,000 seats. The math is clear - more than five Barbastros could fit in the legendary stadium's stands.
As Christmas wishes, every Barbastro player (Barcelona's next Copa del Rey rival) has asked for the shirt swaps they want after the match. pic.twitter.com/eHGhtZPV8H
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 28, 2024
On the other hand, in the far south of Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar, at Malaga's stadium La Rosaleda, Atletico Madrid will be a firm favourite for securing the round of 16. Although Marbella is a much more popular city than Barbastro, with more than 150,000 citizens, its football club is far from successful.
😳🏟️ Over 30,000 people will be present tonight to watch Marbella vs Atlético Madrid, which will be at Malaga’s stadium, La Rosaleda. Tickets have been sold out. pic.twitter.com/HO5iuQI6rh
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 4, 2025
Namely, Marbella FC have never been promoted from the third flight, while this season's Copa del Rey round of 32 is their best cup result since the 2009/2010 season when they reached the same stage and were mercilessly eliminated - guess what?! - by none other than Atletico 8-0 on aggregate. Vengeance is hardly at stake today, but at least the home team will have an additional motive.
COPA DEL REY - ROUND OF 32
Saturday
17.30: (4.60) Huesca (3.40) Betis (1.80)
18.30: (3.70) Tenerife (3.20) Osasuna (2.00)
19.30: (2.60) Almeria (3.15) Sevilla (2.65)
21.00: (16.00) Barbastro (8.00) Barcelona (1.12)
23.30: (11.00) Marbella (6.25) Atl.Madrid (1.20)
23.30: (8.00) Logrones (4.40) Ath.Bilbao (1.47)
Sunday
14.00: (2.45) Elche (3.05) Las Palmas (2.90)
14.00: (4.00) Ourense (3.30) Valladolid (1.90)
17.30: (4.00) Cartagena (3.25) Leganes (1.90)
17.30: (6.50) Ponferradina (3.80) Sociedad (1.50)
17.30: (3.60) Santander (3.40) Celta (1.95)
Monday
21.00: (16.00) Dep.Minera (9.00) Real Madrid (1.10)
Tuesday
23.00: (3.90) Eldense (3.35) Valencia (1.90)
***odds are subject to change***
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