MY ACCOUNT
Barcelona survived a scare as they came from behind to beat Linares Deportivo 2-1 in the Copa del Rey.
The third-tier side took a shock first-half lead at Linarejos through Hugo Diaz’s header.
However, the gulf in quality eventually told after the break as Xavi’s side turned the contest around with two goals in the space of five minutes.
Ousmane Dembele equalised when a long-range effort squeezed past Brimah Razak, before Ferran Jutgla’s wonderful individual goal booked the visitors’ place in the round of 16.
Dani Alves was handed his second Barcelona debut after finally being officially registered by the club.
The 38-year-old was immediately involved as his fifth-minute corner was headed narrowly wide by Ronald Araujo, while Ilias Chakkour was also off target from Nicolas Gonzalez’s throughball.
Despite their early pressure, Barca fell behind in the 19th minute as Fran Carnicer’s superb deep cross was headed in by the well-placed Diaz.
The visitors enjoyed over 80 per cent of possession during the first half, but could only register one shot on target from eight attempts courtesy of Gonzalez’s ambitious long-range drive that Razak held.
Nevertheless, they got their equaliser in the 63rd minute as Dembele’s long-range strike found a way past the Linares goalkeeper.
And moments after Lolo Guerrero’s header was ruled out for offside at the other end, Jutgla completed the turnaround following a jinking run from the left flank.
Dembele then rattled the crossbar after a solo surge of his own, but the single-goal margin was enough to keep Barca on course for a sixth Copa del Rey triumph in eight years.
What does it mean? Relief for Barca
You must go back to the 2004-05 season for the last time Barcelona failed to reach the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey.
It looked a real possibility as Linares held their own for over an hour of the contest, but two quickfire goals spared the visitors’ blushes.
The narrow 2-1 loss represented the hosts’ first defeat in nine matches across all competitions, but they will not be too disappointed by that.
Dembele delivers
Introduced as a half-time substitute for Chakkour, Dembele made a significant difference to Barca’s fortunes.
The winger equalised with one of three shots on target from seven attempts – both game-highs – and was unfortunate as he later rattled the crossbar following a wonderful individual run.
Chakkour struggles
Recently handed his senior debut, this tie provided a good opportunity for the 17-year-old to build some momentum against lower-league opposition.
However, he failed to grasp it and was replaced at half-time.
His tallies of 32 touches and 20 passes were the lowest recorded by any Barca starter, while he squandered a good chance by shooting wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
What’s next?
Both sides return to domestic action on Saturday. Barcelona travel to Granada in LaLiga and Linares head to Sabadell in the Primera Division RFEF.
