FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez is going all out with his lineup for the Copa del Rey quarterfinals against Athletic Club. With the Champions League increasingly difficult to win and Barcelona trailing by eight points in the title race, the Copa del Rey presents a realistic chance for the team to claim silverware this season.
Facing an Athletic Club squad led by former Barca coach Ernesto Valverde in one of the most hostile grounds in Spain, Xavi anticipates a challenging but exciting match. In his pre-match press conference, he acknowledged the opponent's strengths, stating, 'They put faith in it, they're intense, they've got a great coach, and they're one of the most in-form teams in La Liga.'
