Copa Del Ray: Athletic Club knocks Barcelona out to reach semis
It was another disappointment for Barcelona, as the club was expecting to go to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the second straight season.
It was another disappointment for Barcelona, as the club was expecting to go to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the second straight season.
FC Barcelona opened a 15-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday night with a 4-0 win away to Elche.
Former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski then had a great chance to break the deadlock, but the unmarked Pole pulled over the target with 18 minutes gone.
Vinicius Jr. attempted to lead Madrid without Benzema, but Mallorca remained steadfast until the Brazilian scored with a left-foot shot in the 72nd minute
Silva stepped up but couldn't beat goalkeeper Juan Musso, who blocked the penalty and Willi Orban's rebound from very close range in quick succession with 56 minutes gone.
Messi senior arrived early on Wednesday morning, nine days after Lionel dropped the sporting bombshell by confirming that he wanted to leave Barcelona.
Messi and the rest of the Barcelona squad, who played in their ill-fated Champions League campaign, were required to take the tests on Sunday before returning to pre-season training under new coach Ronald Koeman.
Lionel Messi's absence or presence at the testing centre will be his first public demonstration since the reports of him expressing his wish to leave.
Rumours have been afloat about Lionel Messi's growing disparity with Barcelona management – especially with club president Josep Bartomeu – for a long time.
Veteran Lionel Messi reportedly asked Barca on Tuesday to let him leave the club he has been with for 20 seasons, since he was 13 years old.