Overview
- Racing will form a guard of honour to recognize Barcelona’s recent Spanish Super Cup triumph, a gesture noted after Real Madrid declined to do so during the trophy presentation.
- The last-16 Copa del Rey match is set for El Sardinero, which is sold out and hosting Barcelona for the first time since 2011.
- Frenkie de Jong is suspended following his red card in the Super Cup final, and multiple outlets report Hansi Flick is expected to rotate his squad.
- Racing top the Segunda División and eliminated Villarreal in the previous round, though Asier Villalibre is out injured and Arana is a doubt.
- Barcelona arrive on a 10-match winning streak; Andreas Christensen remains sidelined and Gavi continues his recovery, with previews listing Ronald Araujo and Marc-André ter Stegen among likely starters.