Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has described the second leg of his side’s Copa del Rey tie against derby rivals Espanyol as “do or die”.
Barca must turn around a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their quarter-final, in which Oscar Melendo slotted home a late winner for Espanyol after Lionel Messi had squandered a penalty.
New Ā£142million signing Philippe Coutinho is expected to make his Barca debut off the substitutes’ bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.
“We know that we are behind on aggregate and it’s do or die, but we have the advantage of playing at home in the second leg and we hope the fans can spur us on,” Valverde told a press conference on Wednesday.
“This derby has special motivation because we have to come from behind. The cup is a competition that excites us.”
š Valverde: “We are behind on aggregate but we hope our fans will spur us on. These are games that motivate us and the fans as well” #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/z9qxdxLV0Z
ā FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 24, 2018
Barca, who lifted the trophy last season with a 3-1 victory in the final against Alaves, are currently 11 points clear at the top of La Liga following Sunday’s 5-0 win at Real Betis.
Espanyol sit 14th after losing 3-0 at home to Sevilla on Saturday. Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have already knocked Tenerife and Levante out of the Copa del Rey.
“I don’t think Espanyol will sit back, but I don’t think they will come out on the attack from the start as they are ahead in the tie,” Valverde added. “They are an organised side and they will wait for their chance.”
Barca have announced Coutinho, who trained with his new team-mates for the first time at the end of last week, will wear the number 14 shirt vacated by Javier Mascherano.
Suits you, @Phil_Coutinho!
šµš“ #Coutinho14 pic.twitter.com/sVG1h7kuKJā FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 24, 2018
Mascherano has joined Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune after spending eight years with the Catalan club.
Espanyol have not beaten their city rivals in the competition since 1961 and coach Sanchez Flores praised his side for taking a first-leg lead to Camp Nou.
“We have done an important part – that is to get to the game with enthusiasm,” the former Watford coach said.
“We do not know what can happen, but it’s fantastic to arrive with the illusion (of an upset) intact”.
