Barcelona vs Cornella Copa del Rey Live Football Score 21 Jan 2021
Viewing information
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 21
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Campo Nuevo Municipal de Cornella — Cornella, Spain
- TV: None
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Cornella +1200; Draw +450; Barcelona -400 (via William Hill Sportsbook)
Following a heartbreaking defeat in the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Barcelona return to action for their season debut in the Copa del Rey with a local derby against Cornellà.
Cornellà caused the upset of the tournament so far (until Alcoyano happened!), knocking out La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid in the Round of 64. Their formula was simple: score early, defend for their lives for the rest of the game and hope that Atlético’s bench players were not good enough on the night. They also play in an artifical pitch, which certainly helps against top-tier teams who aren’t used to this surface week in and week out.
The plan worked, so there’s no reason to expect anything different from the Third Division side against Barça. Ronald Koeman never rotates his squad but is expected to do so for this game, though we should see some big names on the bench since this is a one-off game that could go to extra time and penalties if Barça don’t kill the tie off early — or worse.
Storylines
Cornella: The upset over La Liga leader Atletico Madrid last time out has this team believing, in high spirits and ready to go. Why can’t they do it again? The key will be to focus on defense, try to go on the counter or strike on set pieces. But the truth is, they’ve only won two games since the end of November and even lost to Barcelona’s B team in the process. Another mini miracle will be needed.
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Barcelona: This team is quite average with Messi, so if they’re without him it will be interesting to see who steps up. Antoine Griezmann is in positive form after scoring twice last time out, and Barca might not be able to afford to play a lot of young guys after what Cornella did against Atleti. Barcelona will surely concede some chances, but expect them to create enough opportunities to put this one away.
Prediction
No Messi, no problem as Barca score early and set the tone. Pick: Barca 2, Cornella 0
