Barcelona Include Two Teenage Starlets In Squad For Real Madrid Trip Ahead Of Copa Del Rey Clash

Richmond MarfoMarch 1, 2023

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Barcelona have called on two teenage talents in order to fill out their squad for their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid. With injuries piling up, they could play a role in El Clasico.

Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele have all been ruled out with injury, while Ansu Fati has only just recovered in time from his knee issue. Thus Xavi Hernandez decided to call on Estanis Pedrola and Angel Alarcon.

🎙️ XAVI: "[Estanis Pedrola] is good in the one-on-one, he's fast, he can score goals … given the absence of [Lewandowski], we figured he'd be a good addition to the team." #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/dqGFWlqW5M
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 1, 2023

The former featured once last season under Xavi, coming on as a substitute against Real Mallorca in a 1-0 victory, as the side was again depleted by injuries. He tends to operate on the left as a winger cutting in. On Pedrola, his manager highlighted his speed.

“We know him from last year. He has the ability to go one-on-one, he has goals in him, he’s in good form. He can help us in the face of Robert’s loss,” Xavi told the press.

Pedrola scored a brace and assisted the other in a 3-0 win over Alcoyano at the weekend for Rafa Marquez’s Barca Atletic side.

Alarcon was already involved with the first team at the weekend, coming on for the closing stages against Almeria and contributing some nice touches.

“They are all options. I have confidence in him. He is versatile, strong, he is good at providing depth, I like him… he can be very useful for Barça. He has a present and a future. Personally, I like him a lot.”