Athletic Club - Barcelona live online: scores, stats and updates, Copa del Rey 2023/24

COPA DEL REY

Who is José María Sánchez Martínez, the referee for Athletic Club vs Barcelona in the Copa del Rey?

Refereeing controversy has been the theme of the week in Spain following Real Madrid’s VAR-assisted LaLiga victory over Almería on Sunday.

Read more on tonight's referee.

Barcelona XI

Here is how the Blaugrana will line up tonight:

Athletic XI

Ernesto Valverde has named the following XI:

Atmosphere building in Bilbao

Pre-match in Bilbao is alive and kicking.

Barcelona team news

Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha and João Cancelo all miss out for the Blaugrana, however, defender Andreas Christensen has returned from a foot injury and has been named in the Barça squad.

“We're really looking forward to this one. I know we're playing a lot of football at the moment, but the spark has to be there tomorrow. We're both aware there's a lot at stake.

"They could be favourites to win the comPetition, but we're playing in front of our fans at San Mames and we're going to do everything possible to make it a great night."

Pre-match in Bilbao

This city lives and breathes it.

COPA DEL REY

Why isn’t Raphinha playing for Barcelona against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey?

Raphinha has found himself in and out of the Barcelona team in an inconsistent first half of the season, during which he has made 20 appearances (13 starts) in all competitions, scoring four goals and setting up seven more.

He was in Xavi’s lineup for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final win against Osasuna on 11 January but had to go off just before half-time, with Barça confirming the following day he has suffered a (left) hamstring injury.

Previous Copa meetings between Athletic and Barcelona at San Mamés

The two most recent Copa matches between Athletic and Barcelona at San Mames saw the Basque side beat the Catalans on both occasions.

In 2019/20, Ghana forward Iñaki Williams scored a 93rd-minute winner to book a place in the semi-finals. 

In 2021/22, Athletic won again, with midfielder Iker Muniain netting an extra-time penalty in a 3-2 win in the round of 16.

LALIGA

Real Betis - Barcelona summary: Ferran hat-trick, score, goals, highlights, LaLiga

Against Real Betis in LaLiga on Sunday, Barcelona led 1-0 at the break before the second half exploded with five more goals.

Isco's brace levelled things up for Betis before Joao Félix came off the bench to give Barcelona the lead again.

Ferran Torres then put the Game to bed late on with his hat-trick to seal an important victory for the Blaugrana on the road.

This is how it unfolded: Real Betis 2-4 Barcelona

Messi x Pedri

Another Copa semi-final for Athletic?

Athletic Club are only one step away from reaching their fifth consecutive Copa del Rey semi-final.

Tonight will be the 46th Copa del Rey match between the two sides.

Barcelona Travel to Bilbao

After beating minnows Barbastro and later Unionistas, Barcelona now face a tricky trip to the Basque Country. A rocking San Mamés will not make things easy for Xavi's side either.

This Copa del Rey quarter-final will have it all.

San Mamés

It doesn't get much bigger than Barcelona under the lights at San Mamés.

Athletic Club vs Barcelona: welcome!

Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of this Copa del Rey match between Athletic Club and Barcelona.

I'm Kieran Quaile and I'll be taking you through all the action as it unfolds in Bilbao.