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Athletic Club Defends Their Crown
The draw for the Copa del Rey round of 16 has set up intriguing matchups for the Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both clubs will face top-tier opponents as they continue their quest for domestic silverware.
Defending champions Athletic Club remain in the competition, looking to retain their title as they face Osasuna in this round.
Barcelona to Face Real Betis
Barcelona advanced to the round of 16 with a convincing 4-0 victory over fourth-tier Barbastro. However, their preparations were overshadowed by contract disputes involving Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. The Blaugrana will now gear up for a tougher challenge as they host Real Betis.
Real Madrid Draws Celta Vigo
Real Madrid also breezed through the previous round, thrashing Deportiva Minera 5-0. Carlo Ancelotti rotated his squad effectively during the match but will face a sterner test against Celta Vigo in the next stage.
Atletico Madrid’s Narrow Escape
Atletico Madrid narrowly edged past Marbella in the third round. They now face Elche, another lower-league side, in the round of 16.
Full 2024/25 Copa del Rey Round of 16 Fixtures
- Pontevedra vs Getafe
- Ourense vs Valencia
- Almeria vs Leganes
- Elche vs Atletico Madrid
- Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo
- Barcelona vs Real Betis
- Real Sociedad vs Rayo Vallecano
- Athletic Club vs Osasuna
Tight Schedule for Spanish Giants
The Spanish football federation has scheduled the round of 16 ties for 14, 15, and 16 January, leaving little preparation time for the competing clubs.
Barcelona and Real Madrid could face additional fixture congestion, as both are involved in the Spanish Supercopa. Semi-final matches against Athletic Club (for Barcelona) and Mallorca (for Real Madrid) are already underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the final set for Sunday, 12 January.
Single-Leg Format with VAR
As in previous rounds, these matches will be played as single-leg fixtures. For the first time, VAR will be used during the Copa del Rey from this stage onward, adding an extra layer of scrutiny to critical moments.
