E-Paper
FC Barcelona, Real Madrid handed derby draws in Copa del Rey quarter-finals
FC Barcelona will play rivals Espanyol in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, whilst Real Madrid were drawn against Leganes.
FC Barcelona, the Copa del Rey holders, will take on city rivals Espanyol in the quarter-finals of this season’s competition, while Real Madrid also face a tie against nearby opposition in the form of Leganes.
The draw for the last eight of the Copa took place on Friday, with Madrid drawn to face Leganes in the first two-legged tie.
Barca were duly handed a clash with Espanyol before Atletico Madrid and Sevilla were paired together. The other quarter-final will see Valencia take on Alaves, last year’s runners-up.
Espanyol’s hopes of making the last four appear slim, to say the least. They have failed to win any of their previous nine knockout ties with Barca in the Copa, last eliminating them from the event in 1961, and are without a victory in 17 league matches against their rivals.
Madrid, meanwhile, have won all four of the competitive matches they have played against Leganes.
The quarter-final ties are scheduled to take place on the weeks beginning January 15 and 22.
