UD Barbastro 0-4 Barcelona: Lewandowski scores twice as Barca thrash fourth-tier hosts in Copa del Rey
Barcelona secured a convincing 4-0 victory against fourth-tier Barbastro in the Copa del Rey round of 32 on Saturday, with striker Robert Lewandowski finding the net twice for the visitors.
The scoring opened in the 21st minute when defender Eric Garcia executed a powerful header to give Barcelona the lead. Lewandowski then extended the advantage with a close-range header just ten minutes later.
Two minutes into the second half, Lewandowski netted his second goal with a straightforward low shot from near the penalty area, followed by Pablo Torre, who capitalized on a mistake by Barbastro goalkeeper Arnau Fabrega to make it 4-0.
"We needed to begin the year in this manner," stated coach Hansi Flick during a press conference. "Our defensive performance was commendable, and we did not allow our opponents any opportunities."
This victory marked Flick's 100th win in his managerial career, while Barcelona's emergency signing Wojciech Szczesny made his debut in goal for the team.
The former Polish goalkeeper came out of retirement to join the LaLiga club in October, stepping in for the injured Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, but had to wait for his debut as his competitor, Inaki Pena, was in good form.
Barcelona took the lead when Ronald Araujo directed a long pass from Frenkie De Jong into the box, allowing Garcia to score in the bottom corner.
Araujo made his season debut after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the Copa America in July.
"Ronald was injured, but today we witnessed that he is fit," Flick remarked. "We must exercise caution with him, but he performed well for the full 90 minutes. He is a leader and a captain, and it is beneficial to have him back."
Despite the hosts managing to thwart numerous attempts from the visitors, Lewandowski, who leads LaLiga with 16 goals, increased the lead after the ball deflected off a defender.
The 36-year-old added another goal in the second half as Barcelona maintained dominance in possession, controlling approximately 80% of the game.
Torre secured the victory in the 56th minute, effortlessly finding the net after home goalkeeper Fabrega misdirected a low pass that failed to reach one of his defenders, instead landing at the feet of the Barcelona midfielder.
Barcelona, preparing to face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday, opted to rest forward Raphinha, while midfielder Marc Casado and defender Alejandro Balde remained on the sidelines.
The Aragonian club Barbastro currently occupies the 16th position in Group Two of the Segunda Federacion. The two teams previously encountered each other at the same stage of the Copa del Rey last year, where Barcelona emerged victorious with a score of 3-2.
SportsLigue