Barcelona have taken a big step towards the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey after recording a 3-0 win over Real Murcia in the first leg of their last-32 clash on Tuesday night.
Paco Alcacer, Gerard Deulofeu and Jose Arnaiz scored the goals as Barcelona ran out comfortable winners over the Segunda B team in Murcia.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Copa del Rey coverage for the 2017-18 campaign begins from Murcia as Segunda B team Real Murcia welcome La Liga giants Barcelona for the first leg of their last-32 clash. The visitors are the overwhelming favourites to progress through this two-legged affair, but tonight could prove to be a tricky encounter. Stay tuned for live updates!
This will actually be the seventh time that Barcelona and Real Murcia have locked horns in the Copa del Rey, and the Catalan giants have progressed on each occasion. Their last meeting in this competition came in 1987, when Barcelona recorded a 5-0 aggregate win in the round of 16.
The two teams have met more recently in the top flight of Spanish football, however, with Barcelona recording a 5-3 victory in this stadium in May 2008. Real Murcia came through the Segunda Division to play La Liga football during the 2007-08 campaign, but they have not been back since, and currently operate in the Segunda B, which is the third tier of Spanish football.
🔵🔴 DID YOU KNOW? Barça have not lost to @realmurciacfsad since a 2-0 defeat in 1989. This man was in the team that day. pic.twitter.com/oxMweJA5wk — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2017
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Murcia. Both teams were in league action at the weekend – Real Murcia suffering a 3-2 defeat at San Fernando CD, and Barcelona recording a 2-0 win over Malaga. Any changes? Let's run through the XIs...
TEAMS!
MURCIA: Santome; Escribano, Juanfra, Orfila, Ortiz; Mateos, Nadjib, Llorente; Jordan, Elady, Molinero
BARCA: Cillessen; Semedo, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Digne; Alena, Gomes, D.Suarez; Arnaiz, Alcacer, Deulofeu
Elady Zorrilla leads the line for Real Murcia tonight, and the 27-year-ol has managed three goals in eight league appearances for the Segunda B club this season. Fernando Llorente – no not that one – also starts in the middle of the park, while Abel Molinero and Jordan Dominguez are also in the home side's XI.
As expected, Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has rung the changes from Saturday's La Liga clash with Malaga. Jasper Cillessen and Thomas Vermaelen are both in the XI, while there is a Barcelona debut for Jose Arnaiz, who joined the club in the summer. Carles Alena is also selected in central midfield as the holders of the competition field a number of fringe players. Very interesting team here.
© Getty Images
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Murcia. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona. The Catalan giants are the holders of the Copa del Rey after beating Alaves in last season's final. That was their 29th title, and third in succession.
Barcelona have actually been present in six of the last seven Copa del Rey finals, with their only absence during that spell coming in 2012-13, when Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid. It would be fair to say that this competition is not high on Barcelona's list of priorities this term, but it does provide a good chance of picking up major silverware. Indeed, it was their only trophy last season.
There are some experienced players in reserve for Barcelona tonight...
🔴🔵 FCB Substitutes: 31.Ortolá 3. Piqué 4. Rakitic 20. Sergi Roberto 36. Cucurella #CopaFCB https://t.co/8Jc5NKwndX — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2017
Valverde's side will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 win over Malaga in La Liga on Saturday night. That result saw the Catalan giants move four points clear of second-placed Valencia at the top of the table, while they have a five-point gap over third-placed Real Madrid. Barcelona are certainly sitting pretty in La Liga as we approach the latter stages of 2017.
Barcelona have also been impressive in the Champions League this season – winning all three of their group matches to top the section. They have not lost a single game since the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid towards the start of August, and a number of their key players – including a certain Lionel Messi – are currently in brilliant form. Messi is not involved tonight though!
In terms of what is ahead for the Catalan outfit, they will travel to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Saturday night, before ending the month away to Olympiakos in the Champions League. The second leg of this particular clash does not actually take place until November 29, which is very bizarre.
#CopaDelRey | Alineación Real Murcia CF en el #RMUFCB
— Real Murcia CF. SAD (@realmurciacfsad) October 24, 2017
¡Vamos equipo! pic.twitter.com/74zIWUN6RS
As for Real Murcia, Los Pimentoneros will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 defeat at San Fernando CD in the Segunda B on Sunday. They have only won two of their 10 league matches this season, with a total of 10 points leaving them down in 16th position in the table. The hosts will not enter this game in the best of form, which is a concern against a side of Barcelona's ilk.
It is their best run in the Copa del Rey since reaching this stage in 2010, however, having beaten Cacereno, Racing Ferrol and Olot in the early rounds of this season's competition. Winning or losing tonight is not going to define their season, but it will bring some much-needed revenue to the third-tier outfit.
Real Murcia have actually spent 18 seasons in La Liga, but have not operated at that level of football since the 2007-08 campaign, when they were relegated in 19th. They dropped out of the Segunda Division in 2009-10 before returning, but have now spent the last three campaigns in the Segunda B.
👥🔵🔴 Barça XI
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2017
⚽️ Murcia vs FC Barcelona#CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/Vv8g07ADPJ
KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off here...
... just a reminder that tonight is the first leg of a two-legged affair, with the second to come at Camp Nou towards the end of next month. Mascherano has the captain's armband on for Barcelona tonight, and as expected, the visitors have had the ball in the early exchanges in Murcia.
Alcacer goes down inside the Murcia box, but the referee is not interested. Not a full house inside the stadium tonight, but there is a good atmosphere. Elady, as expected, is being supported in the final third by Montes as Murcia look to settle into the early proceedings of this Copa del Rey clash.
Possession football for Barcelona as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. The visitors have a half-chance when Alena breaks into the box, but Juanma is on hand to make the clearance.
We have not seen an awful lot from the home side as an attacking threat thus far, but Barcelona have been restricted to little in the final third of the field. Deulofeu finds space down the right before feeding Semedo, but the right-back's cross is cleared by Jordan. Still 0-0 here.
Barcelona have rested a number of their stars tonight, but this is still a very strong team with the likes of Gomes, Denis Suarez, Deulofeu and Mascherano all included. In truth, it has not been the best 11 minutes of football, but the visitors are starting to move the ball quicker in the final third.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side to take the lead as the ball breaks to Elady at the far post following a free kick, but the striker just cannot make contact. Big chance!
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they move the ball in the final third. Eventually Digne delivers a low cross into the home side's box, but Santome does well to claim under pressure from Alcacer.
Valverde watches on from the sidelines as Barcelona continue to struggle in the final third of the field. Real Murcia are making it very difficult for the visitors to find that elusive pass, while the team in red have players forward when they have the chance to break. Still goalless in Murcia here.
Real Murcia are in two banks of four outside of their own penalty box. Barcelona are having all of the ball, but the home side have had the best chance of the night thus far - 20 minutes played.
Alena delivers a dangerous free kick into the Real Murcia box and Barcelona want a penalty, but the referee is not interested. Vermaelen then appears to block Alcacer's effort. Oops!
Barcelona are enjoying more and more of the ball in dangerous positions, and spaces are just starting to open up for the visitors as Real Murcia struggle to shuffle across the pitch.
Mascherano looks to release into the path of Alcacer, but again it is good defending from Juanma. Llorente attempts to clear towards Elady, but Barcelona regain control of the ball once again.
So, 28 minutes on the clock, and the pattern of the match has not been surprising. Barcelona have had all of the attacking possession, with Real Murcia sitting deep and attempting to break when they manage to gain possession. Both teams have had decent chances, but there have not been many.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side to take the lead as Molinero drives into the Barcelona box before setting up Llorente, but his effort is over the crossbar!
Real Murcia really should have scored in this first period, and you sense that they will be made to pay for missed opportunities. Barcelona do not look all that secure in a defensive area tonight.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Barcelona have been very sloppy in a defensive area. Real Murcia's front two Elady and Montes are forcing some mistakes here.
Good pressure from Barcelona in the last few minutes, but the home side continue to threaten on the break as Elady uses his pace to break away from a host of challenges. The number nine is eventually forced into traffic, but Barcelona misplace a pass in their attempt to break here.
Cillessen collects an attempt from Jordan as Real Murcia threaten on the break once again.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and there has been a decent tempo to this match. Barcelona have dominated the ball, but the home side have had a number of positive moments - particularly on the counter-attack. Still goalless with 40 minutes on the clock in Murcia.
SAVE! Brilliant save from the home side's goalkeeper to keep out a header from Alcacer!
Alcacer stands over a free kick outside the Real Murcia box, but his effort is deflected behind. Alcacer has become more involved in the game over the last few minutes here.
GOAL! Real Murcia 0-1 Barcelona (Alcacer)
Barcelona take the lead in the 44th minute as Alcacer heads a super Deulofeu cross into the corner!
HALF-TIME: Real Murcia 0-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading Real Murcia 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant header from Alcacer in the final stages of the first half. The home side had plenty of positive moments in the opening 45 minutes, but could not find the back of the net.
STATISTICS! Barcelona dominated the first-half possession with 78%, while they had five attempts - two of which were on target. Real Murcia, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their four attempts in the opening 45 minutes. No yellow cards to report - it has not been that type of game.
⏰ At the break it's
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 24, 2017
Murcia 0-1 FC Barcelona
⚽️ Paco Alcácer
🏆🔴🔵 #CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/HJxnXtuBIp
RESTART! Barcelona resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
Smart work from Llorente sees the home side win their first corner of the match, but Mascherano is on hand to head clear as Barcelona come under a little bit of pressure at the start of the second period.
BOOKING! Montes (Murcia) is booked for a foul on Deulofeu.
Good pressure from Barcelona in the early stages of the second period as they continue to force the issue in the final third. It seems that a second goal could be on its way here.
GOAL! Real Murcia 0-2 Barcelona (Deulofeu)
Barcelona double their lead in the 52nd minute as Deulofeu dances into the home side's box before finding the back of the net with a smart finish. That is a massive goal in the context of this tie.
GOAL! Real Murcia 0-3 Barcelona (Arnaiz)
Barcelona score their third of the night as Arnaiz dances into the Real Murcia box before firing his effort into the far corner of the net. It is a wonderful goal from the winger on his debut!
Real Murcia were impressive for long spells of the first period, but they are struggling to stay in this game at the moment as Barcelona continue to move the ball in the final third of the field.
Just a reminder that the second leg of this last-32 clash will take place at the end of next month. Barcelona, in truth, are already there after their performance in the first hour of this match.
REAL MURCIA SUBS! Molinero and Llorente are replaced by Chamorro and Sanchez.
No movement on the Barcelona bench as things stand, but I suspect that Valverde will be considering changes as we head for the final 25 minutes of this match. Deulofeu, Alcacer and Arnaiz have all got their name on the scoresheet, but there could be more goals to come.
Real Murcia continue to commit players in the final third of the field, but they are finding it very difficult to breach Barcelona's defence. Still 3-0 to the visitors with 66 minutes on the clock.
Bit of possession for Real Murcia in the last few minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it as Mascherano steps across to make the challenge. Still no movement on the away bench.
Deulofeu finds space in the final third before looking to deliver a pass into Alcacer, but Elady is back from his forward position to make the challenge. Little under 20 minutes to play here.
Barcelona are playing some excellent football at the moment as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. Alena in particular has impressed in the second period of this game.
Still no movement on the Barcelona bench, but Valverde will be considering changes as we approach the final moments of this game. Deulofeu has been impressive for the visitors here.
BARCELONA SUBS! Rakitic and Roberto replace Alena and Deulofeu.
The home supporters continue to back their team, and they deserve it. Real Murcia have played some really good stuff tonight, but they have been unable to match Barcelona's quality.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Roberto delivers a cross towards Alcacer, but the striker cannot make contact under pressure from two defenders. Little under 10 minutes of this clash remaining here.
BARCELONA SUB! Cucurella replaces Digne in the away side's final change.
Half-chance for the home side as Elady looks to meet a through pass, but Cillessen does enough to make the challenge, before Semedo clears the danger. Not long left in Murcia here.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes as Barcelona keep the ball in the home side's half of the field. Arnaiz has been very impressive for the away side tonight it must be said.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Denis Suarez finds space inside the penalty box, but his effort is saved by the home side's goalkeeper. I should not think that there will be too much added time.
FULL-TIME: Real Murcia 0-3 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 3-0 winners over Real Murcia in the first leg of their last-32 clash in the Copa del Rey. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
