Where to watch Barcelona vs Guadalajara
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT (9 p.m. local time in Spain)
Venue: Estadio Pedro Escartín, Guadalajara, Spain
TV (USA): ESPN3, ESPN Select
Streaming (USA): fuboTV
TV (Spain): Movistar
Barcelona returns as defending champions
FC Barcelona enters the Copa del Rey Round of 32 as defending champions after defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in last season's final on April 26, 2025. This is their first match in this year's competition, and they're facing CD Guadalajara, a third-tier Spanish club currently sitting 17th in Group 1 of the Primera Federación with four wins, five draws, and seven losses through 16 league matches. Guadalajara advanced to this stage by beating AD Ceuta FC in the second round on December 2.
Barcelona arrives in excellent form, winning their last five matches across all competitions. Most recently, they defeated Osasuna 2-0 at Camp Nou over the weekend, with Raphinha scoring both goals to keep Barça top of La Liga with 43 points. Manager Hansi Flick has indicated he'll rotate the squad slightly but will still field key players, ensuring Barcelona takes this Cup tie seriously despite the massive gulf in quality between the two sides.
Expected Barcelona lineup and tactical approach
Flick's expected lineup suggests rotations in defense and midfield while maintaining attacking quality. Wojciech Szczesny gets the start in goal, with Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, and Jofre Torrents forming the back four. The midfield features Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casadó, and Dro Fernandez, while the attack includes Fermin Lopez, Roony Bardghji, and Ferran Torres.
This lineup balances rest for starters with maintaining competitive quality. De Jong and Koundé provide experience and structure, while younger players like Bardghji and Torrents get valuable minutes in a competitive environment. Torres leads the line, giving him opportunities to build confidence and rhythm after inconsistent form this season. The setup allows Barcelona to control possession, dominate territorially, and create numerous chances without risking injury to players like Raphinha or Robert Lewandowski ahead of crucial La Liga fixtures.
Guadalajara's challenge and realistic expectations
CD Guadalajara faces an almost impossible task. They're a third-tier club struggling in their own division, now tasked with containing one of Europe's elite teams. Their route to this stage—beating AD Ceuta FC—shows they're capable of Cup performances, but the gap between Primera Federación and La Liga is massive. Add in that Barcelona is defending champions and currently leading Spain's top division, and Guadalajara's realistic goal is simply avoiding embarrassment.
That doesn't mean they'll roll over. Cup ties create unique dynamics where lower-division teams play with freedom and intensity that can disrupt favorites. Guadalajara will likely sit deep defensively, pack numbers behind the ball, and try to frustrate Barcelona early. If they can keep the score respectable through halftime, they'll gain confidence and potentially make Barcelona work harder than expected. But over 90 minutes, the quality difference should be overwhelming.
Why Barcelona can't afford complacency
Despite Guadalajara's struggles, Barcelona needs to approach this professionally. Cup competitions create upset potential when favorites underestimate opponents or field weakened lineups that lack cohesion. Flick's decision to include experienced players like De Jong and Koundé alongside rotational options suggests he's aware of this risk. Barcelona can't afford a shock elimination that would damage confidence and create unnecessary pressure heading into the second half of the season.
The Copa del Rey also represents Barcelona's best chance at a domestic double this season. They're leading La Liga, but maintaining that advantage over a full campaign is difficult. Winning the Cup provides insurance—a trophy to celebrate even if La Liga slips away. That makes progression here important beyond just avoiding embarrassment. Barcelona should win comfortably, but they need to treat this seriously rather than sleepwalking through it.
Key players to watch
Ferran Torres needs this match. He's struggled for consistent form and confidence this season, often looking hesitant in front of goal. Leading the line against third-tier opposition gives him a platform to score multiple goals and build momentum. If Torres can't dominate this level of competition, it raises serious questions about his future role in Flick's plans. This is an opportunity he can't waste.
Frenkie de Jong's inclusion suggests Flick wants midfield control without relying entirely on inexperienced players. De Jong should dictate tempo, recycle possession, and ensure Barcelona maintains structural discipline even with rotations elsewhere. His presence provides stability that allows younger players around him to express themselves without the team losing shape. If De Jong performs well here, it reinforces his importance to Barcelona's system even as competition for midfield spots intensifies.
Prediction: Barcelona cruise to comfortable victory
Barcelona should win this easily. The talent gap is too large, the form difference too obvious. Expect Barcelona to control possession from the opening whistle, create numerous chances, and score multiple goals. Guadalajara will defend deep and try to limit damage, but Barcelona's rotated lineup still features far too much quality for a third-tier side to contain for 90 minutes. A 4-0 or 5-0 result wouldn't be surprising.
The only question is whether Barcelona takes this seriously enough to avoid early jitters. If they start sharp and score quickly, this becomes a training exercise. If Guadalajara frustrates them early, Barcelona might need to work harder than expected before eventually breaking through. Either way, the result isn't in doubt—only the margin of victory and whether Barcelona's rotational players seize their opportunity to impress Flick ahead of bigger challenges.
