The FC Barcelona will face Real Betis at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday, January 15 in a round of 16 match of the Copa del Rey 2024-25. The Hansi Flick's team arrives in great sporting form after winning the Spanish Super Cup 2025 by defeating Real Madrid 2-5. Despite the absences of Marc Bernal, Marc-André ter Stegen, and the recently added Iñigo Martínez, it is likely that they may have Andreas Christensen, who is close to receiving medical clearance.
In contrast, the Andalusian team arrives slightly more 'touched' to this cup match. Manuel Pellegrini's squad comes from a 1-0 defeat in the last match of LaLiga EA Sports against Real Valladolid. To make matters worse, the absence of one of the key players of the 'verdiblanco' team, Giovani Lo Celso, has been confirmed.
The talented Argentine player, who during Xavi Hernandez's era was a frequent name associated as a possible reinforcement for the Barça team, does not appear in the list of the 21 called up by the Chilean coach for the match against FC Barcelona.
This is because the former Tottenham Hotspur player suffered a myofascial injury in his left long adductor, making his participation against the Catalan side impossible. It's worth remembering that in the match of matchday 16 of LaLiga EA Sports, where Barcelona and Real Betis faced each other and ended 2-2, Lo Celso scored his team's first goal from a penalty kick.
The Andalusians lose their top scorer Gio Lo Celso for the season
With this absence, Real Betis loses their top scorer of the season, who leads the table with eight goals, closely followed by former Barcelona striker, Vitor Roque, with six goals. The Argentine has also provided an assist in 16 matches. His role is crucial in the offensive and creative aspect of the Andalusian club, adding to the absences of midfielders William Carvalho and Marc Roca.