Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is planning to give some of the lesser lights in his squad a chance to impress when the record winners play at third-tier Huesca in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
“It’s a good chance to see players who have not had many minutes,” Luis Enrique told a news conference before the last-32 first-leg match at Huesca’s tiny Alcoraz stadium in northeastern Spain.
One player who could benefit is forward Pedro, who has yet to spark into life this season in which he has played less due to the arrival of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez.
A World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain who has helped Barca claim two Champions League titles, Pedro has only scored one goal in 12 La Liga appearances this term and has failed to find the net in four Champions League games.
In 2009, he became the first player to score in six different competitions in one calendar year when he struck in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, the Supercopa de Espana, the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup, all of which Barca won.
Luis Enrique, who is in his first season in charge after taking over from Gerardo Martino, said he did not think Pedro had lost confidence and predicted the 27-year-old would get back to form.
“There are always players who have worse and better moments,” Luis Enrique said. “One of the tasks is to get over the times when you are not at your best.”
Barca are on course to meet holders Real Madrid, who beat them in the final last season, or La Liga champions Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals.
The return leg, when Barca host Huesca at the Camp Nou, is on December 16.
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Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
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Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
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Messi at the Copa America
2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final
2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals
2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
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