Holders Barcelona will be looking to book their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals when they take on Athletic Bilbao in a repeat of last year’s final today.
The Catalan giants edged the first leg of the last eight tie 2-1 in the Basque Country, although a late goal from prolific striker Aritz Aduriz has given Athletic a glimmer of hope ahead of the return match at the Nou Camp.
It has not been an easy week for the European champions, with midfielder Javier Mascherano being sentenced to a year in prison for tax fraud. Striker Neymar missed the weekend victory at Malaga with a muscle problem and his vagueness when asked about the possibility of leaving Barca has intensified speculation surrounding his future.
Manager Luis Enrique has said that he expects him to stay put though, and the Brazilian will probably return to the starting lineup for the second leg. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both sat out the first leg, but are available to return and resume their deadly attacking triumvirate with Neymar.
Bilbao have their own fearsome forward though in Arduriz, who has taken a real liking to Barcelona this term. The 34-year-old kicked off his remarkable season by putting four goals past the La Liga champions in the Spanish Super Cup over two games, including a first leg hat-trick. His brace against Eibar on Sunday took his tally for the campaign to 25 goals.
While the game in Catalonia promises goals, Atletico Madrid’s encounter with Celta Vigo could be a different type of affair. The game at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday follows a 0-0 first leg stalemate.
The capital city side, who last won the cup in 2013, lost top spot in La Liga to Barcelona at the weekend after a goalless draw with Sevilla. Atletico’s success has been built on a resolute defence as Diego Simeone’s men have only conceded eight times in 21 league outings this season, while Celta Vigo have hit a terrible run of form to drop out of the top four.
Tomorrow night, Gary Neville’s Valencia will be hoping to put their poor league form behind them when they go to Las Palmas with the tie level at 1-1.
The only remaining team from outside the top flight are Mirandes, but the second-tier side face a tough ask to match their run to the 2012 semi-finals. They host Sevilla with a two-goal deficit to make up.
Fixtures (aggregate score) All times GMT
Today: Atletico Madrid (0-0) Celta Vigo (19:30); Barcelona (2-1) Athletic Bilbao (20:30)
Tomorrow: Mirandes (0-2) Sevilla (19:00); Las Palmas (1-1) Valencia (20:00)
Barcelona confident Neymar will extend contract
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said yesterday he was confident that Brazilian star Neymar would commit to the Catalan giants beyond his current contract in 2018. Asked at the team’s press conference if the Brazil captain was ready to extend his stay in Barcelona, Luis Enrique said: “I believe so, yes.”
Neymar, 23, has himself remained vague concerning his future plans, and after stating last month that he was in talks with the club concerning a new contract, he added: “I don’t know, life is very long.”
This has lead to speculation of a possible move, including to Liga rivals Real Madrid, with his release clause estimated at 190 million euros ($205m). English side Manchester United also tried to approach the player last year.
In recent months Neymar’s father has let it be known that his son will only extend with Barca if “fiscal stability” was re-established with the player’s 2013 transfer currently being investigated for alleged tax fraud. Neymar missed Saturday’s 2-1 league win at Malaga because of muscle pain but should line up in today’s Cup quarter-final return-leg tie against Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou. “He feels very good and there is no risk (of relapse),” said Luis Enrique. “He trained and is in perfect shape to play.”
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both sat out the first leg, but are available to return and resume their deadly attacking triumvirate with Neymar.
