Tue Mar 18 03:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Barça to Field Youth Team in Copa Catalunya Semi-Final Against Espanyol
**Barcelona, Spain** – FC Barcelona will field a team composed primarily of youth players and fringe members of their B team in Wednesday’s Copa Catalunya semi-final against Espanyol. The club initially requested a postponement of the match due to scheduling conflicts with the first team and the national team call-ups, but the Catalan Football Federation (FCF) rejected the request.
The decision follows a busy period for Barça’s youth and reserve teams. The club’s Juvenil A team recently won the Copa del Rey, while the Barça Atlètic team is fighting for survival in Primera RFEF and has a crucial match on Friday. With several first-team players away on international duty, manager Hansi Flick had limited senior squad availability. The club considered not participating altogether before opting to send a youth and reserve team mix.
Espanyol, meanwhile, is expected to field a team largely consisting of players from their B team, potentially with some first-team players included. The match will proceed as scheduled at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque at 7:45 PM on Wednesday. The winner will advance to the Copa Catalunya final against either Girona or Andorra.
First Piper 