Can the Copa del Rey favorites survive a trip to the giant-killers without their Brazilian talisman?

As the Copa del Rey quarter-finals approach this Tuesday evening FC Barcelona finds itself navigating a delicate balance between ambition and preservation. The Catalans are set to face Albacete at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte in a fixture that carries far more weight than a typical cup tie against lower-league opposition. With the memory of Albacete’s stunning elimination of Real Madrid still fresh in the collective mind of Spanish football, Hansi Flick’s side arrives with clear intent but significant personnel concerns. The headline news disrupting the preparation involves Raphinha and a confirmed physical setback that forces the technical staff to reshuffle their attacking deck for this crucial knockout encounter. Raphinha Sidelined as Precautionary Measure The momentum from the weekend victory over Elche has been tempered by the medical report regarding Raphinha. The Brazilian winger was withdrawn at halftime during that league fixture after experiencing discomfort which has now been diagnosed as an overload in the adductor muscle of his right leg. While the club’s official communication suggests the issue is not severe and estimates a recovery period of approximately one week, the decision has been made to exclude him from the trip to Albacete entirely. This precautionary approach highlights the management's desire to avoid aggravating the strain into a long-term injury as the season enters its critical phase. His absence leaves a tangible void on the right flank where his work rate and creativity have been instrumental throughout the campaign. The Brazilian had been managing hamstring discomfort in recent weeks which makes this latest muscular overload a signal that his physical load requires careful management. Hansi Flick expressed frustration regarding the setback but acknowledged the necessity of resting key assets when the schedule becomes congested. The focus now shifts to his rehabilitation to ensure he returns fully fit for upcoming La Liga challenges rather than risking him in a high-intensity cup match where physical duels are expected to be fierce. Squad Depth Tested Against "Giant Killers" While the loss of Raphinha is a blow the squad received a boost regarding the fitness of Jules Koundé. The French defender who also left the Elche match with physical complaints has been cleared to play after it was confirmed he merely suffered from cramps. His participation in training on Monday suggests he is available for selection although rotation remains a likely strategy given the demanding calendar The defense will need to be alert against an Albacete side that thrives on the underdog narrative and possesses the capability to punish complacency as they demonstrated against Barcelona’s eternal rivals. The responsibility of filling the attacking void is likely to fall on Marcus Rashford or potentially Ferran Torres as the coaching staff looks to maintain offensive fluidity without their primary winger Rashford made a significant impact off the bench against Elche by scoring a goal and his direct style could be vital in breaking down a resolute Albacete defense With other key figures like Gavi and Andreas Christensen still unavailable due to long-term injuries and Pedri continuing his rehabilitation the depth of the squad is under scrutiny. This match serves as a litmus test for the supporting cast who must now step up and deliver a professional performance in a hostile environment where history has recently been rewritten at the expense of giants. It remains to be seen how the team adapts to the absence of one of its most dynamic forwards in a knockout scenario that forgives no errors The path to the Copa del Rey trophy is rarely straightforward and tonight’s clash at the Carlos Belmonte promises to be a rigorous examination of character as much as quality Whether the makeshift attack can dismantle a confident opponent without their Brazilian spark is a narrative that will only be resolved once the ball is rolling.