Copa del Rey 2022: Athletic Bilbao set up a rematch with Real Madrid after eliminating Barca

The quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey have been drawn and will be played between February 1 and 3. The draws for the last eight are as follows: 

Copa del Rey 2022 quarter finals draw 

• Athletic Club vs Real Madrid
• Real Sociedad vs Real Betis
• Valencia vs Cadiz
• Rayo Vallecano vs Real Mallorca 

The match days have fallen in the upcoming international break, and the Spanish teams will be without their South American players. This is because they will be participating in the World Cup qualifiers during that time. 

Most prominently, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Casemiro and Fede Valverde will be unavailable for selection. Real Betis and Sociedad also have a number of key players that will be reporting for international duty. 

La Liga has tried to prevent this from happening, but they have been unsuccessful in keeping the South American players for the Copa del Rey. 

Defending champions Barcelona won’t be in the race

The most eye-catching story to come out of the round of 16, though, is Athletic Bilbao’s performance against Barcelona. The finalists of the Supercopa de Espana have set up another clash against Real Madrid, with whom they have unfinished business after losing the final in Riyadh. 

In a game that had to be decided in extra time, Iker Muniain scored from the spot in additional time to seal a dramatic 3-2 win for his side. Barcelona, on the other hand, had to leave empty handed despite equalising twice in the game.