FC Barcelona’s bid to win a third Copa del Rey in a row begins this Wednesday at the Estadio José Rico Pérez in Alicante at 10.00pm CET.
Host club Hércules CF might play in Division 2B, but they have frequently appeared in the top flight in the past and are sure to be a stern test for the Catalans in the round of 32.
Luis Enrique knows that and isn’t taking any chances. He’s included eleven first team members in the team that’s making the trip south, including Samuel Umtiti, who has been cleared to play after recovering from injury.
The first team players named in the squad are as follows: Cillessen, Masip, Denis Suárez, Arda, Rafinha, Paco Alcácer, Digne, Sergi Roberto, André Gomes, Aleix Vidal and Umtiti.
They are being joined by five members of the B team that already beat Hércules 3-1 away in a league fixture earlier this season: Aleñá (28), Carbonell (30), Nili (31), Borja López (35) and Cardona (39).
