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The Cantabrian team, leader of the Second Division, faces the commitment with the illusion of achieving a historic qualification against the current champion of the tournament, while the Blaugrana arrive with several new features and important casualties. The team led by Hansi Flick will feature for the first time Portuguese full-back João Cancelo, recently signed from Al-Hilal to replace the long-term absence of Dane Andreas Christensen. However, Pablo Páez ‘Gavi’, who is still recovering from a knee injury, and Frenkie de Jong, suspended after his expulsion in the Super Cup final, will not be available.Despite the difference in category, Flick has warned of Racing’s potential, which he described as an intense and high-quality team, so an alignment with too many rotations is not expected. Everything indicates that Joan García will be the starting goalkeeper, replacing Marc-André ter Stegen, who played in the previous round.
Cancelo and Araujo, options from the bench
João Cancelo could have his first minutes as a blaugrana, as well as the Uruguayan Ronald Araujo, who recently returned to competition after overcoming mental health problems, although neither of them is expected to be a starter. In midfield, Flick is considering several alternatives, with Casadó and Bernal as possible partners for Pedri, while in attack Roony Bardghji on the left, Marcus Rashford on the right, and Ferran Torres as the offensive reference could repeat, with Dani Olmo in the attacking midfield position.Racing bets on order and counterattack
Racing coach José Alberto López has insisted throughout the week on the importance of defensive solidity and counter-attacking efficiency to hurt Barcelona. The green-and-white team recovers striker Juan Carlos Arana, author of the two goals in the previous round against Villarreal, and Georgian international Giorgi Guliashvili, one of the recent signings, could make his debut. In addition, Pablo Ramón and Clément Michelin returned to training, while Asier Villalibre will be out. True to his policy in the tournament, José Alberto could field a team with several substitutes, with the exception of Álvaro Mantilla, who cannot play in the league due to accumulation of cards. The tactical approach of Racing remains an unknown, with the doubt between the traditional 4-2-3-1 or a more conservative 5-3-2 to stop the azulgrana attack.Match Details
Stadium: Campos de Sport El SardineroTime: 21:00 (CET)
Referee: José María Sánchez (Murcian Committee)
VAR: David Gámez (Madrid Committee)
Probable Lineups
Racing: Ezkieta; Mantilla, Manu Hernando, Javi Castro, Mario García; Íñigo Sainz-Maza, Maguette; Suleiman, Aldasoro, Guliashvili; Arana. Barcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Eric García, Gerard, Balde; Bernal, Casadó or Pedri; Olmo; Roony, Rashford and Ferran.
