This round of the Copa del Rey has some intriguing storyline.  The biggest game of the stage is undoubtedly Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.  The biggest player on the field on Tuesday will be Lio Messi.   Players like Samuel Eto’o, Sergio Agüero, Xavi, and Carles Puyol missing from the pitch will mean that there will be lots of opportunities for the youth players.  At the same time, players like Eidur Godjohnsen and Thierry Henry will take up the load there.

In the meantime, the surprise team of the league tournament- Deportivo- will prove their luck in cup play, and this could be an upset for SuperDepor 2.0.

The most intriguing storyline of the week will be Nikola Zigic hosting his old team at El Sardinero.  Just last week, Zigic was loaned out to Racing after Valencia saw it would be ideal for him to get playing time back at his old team.

Real Unión is the Cinderella team of the tournament and they look to continue their magic carpet ride against an erratic Betis side.

Round of 16

Tuesday

(First team will host return leg)

Barcelona 3-1 Atlético

ATM: Ujfalusi (69′)

BAR: Messi (11′, 58′-pk, 81′)

Wednesday

Sevilla 2-1 Deportivo

SEV: Luis Fabiano (30′), Kanouté (39′)

DEP: Bravo (81′)

Real Unión 0-1 Betis

BET:  Damiá (11′)

Sporting 3-1 Valladolid

SPO: David Barral (9′,13′) , Carmelo (36′)

VLL: Canobbio (90’+1)

Racing 1-1 Valencia

RAC: Colsa (36′)

VAL: Lacen (55′)

Pol. Ejido 3-2 Espanyol


PEJ: Molina (52′), Juli (59′), Chico (76′)

ESP: Moisés Hurtado (15′), Román Martínez (72′)

Thursday

Mallorca 3 – 1 Almería

MAL: Keita (7′), Santana (43′), Varela (53′)

ALM: José Ortíz (9′)

Osasuna 1- 1 Athletic

OSA: Pandiani (82′)

ATH: Llorente (92′)