Barcelona Bounced To Beat Linares

Total SportekJanuary 6, 2022

MADRID: Defending champions Barcelona bounced back to record a 2-1 win over third division squad Linares Deportivo in the last 32 of the Spanish King’s Cup.

Barca traveled to Andalucia without a number of key milestones due to COVID-19 and injury, but manager Xavi Hernandez still rested some of his key players until they fell behind in the 19th minute thanks to a Hugo Diaz header.

Xavi then inserted Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele in the second half, and the French winger equalized with a swerving shot that failed to be saved by goalkeeper Brimah Razak.

Minutes later, young academy striker Ferran Jutgla blasted home Barcelona’s winning goal.

“I’m very happy to be able to help the team, do what the coach told me to. They came out very strong, maybe stronger than us,” Jutgla said.

Barca joined Espanyol, Real Sociedad, Valencia, Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano, Mallorca, Real Madrid and third division club Atletico Baleares, who eliminated La Liga club Celta Vigo with a 2-1 victory.

In La Liga, Barcelona are currently fifth, 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

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