Barcelona survived another Copa del Rey scare after coming from behind to see off third-tier side Linares on Wednesday. This was a ground where Barca B ran out 2-1 winners in October, and the senior side eventually picked up the same result but only after Gerard Pique, Ousmane Dembele, and Frenkie de Jong had been introduced at half-time.
The opening 45 minutes were probably the worst we’ve seen under Xavi as a sloppy and careless Barca struggled badly. The goal was a poor one to concede too. Riqui Puig and Jordi Alba failed to prevent the cross while Oscar Mingueza and Eric Garcia stood and watched Hugo Díaz head home.