FC Barcelona are facing Cordoba for only the second time in the history of the competition
David Villa, with three goals against Alavés, is FCB’s top scorer in the current edition of the Copa del Rey
FC Barcelona have their last cup game of 2012 tonight away to Cordoba in the round of 16, and here we look at some of the trivia surrounding the match:
• FC Barcelona face Cordoba, conquerors of Real Sociedad, for only the second time in the history of this competition
• They last met way back in 1963/64, when Barça beat Cordoba by an aggregate score of 6-3, and also in the round of 16. They won the first keg in Andalusia 2-1
• They have also met 16 times in the league (11 Barça wins, 4 for the Andalusians and one draw). When Cordoba have had home advantage, the record is tighter: three FCB wins, four for Cordoba and one draw
• Four Barça players have played all 180 minutes of the cup campaign so far, namely Pinto, Montoya, Mascherano and Sergi Roberto
• The players in tonight’s squad include five that have yet to feature in the competition this season: Piqué, Xavi, Messi, Pedro and Jordi Alba
• David Villa, with three goals against Alavés, is FCB’s top scorer in the current edition of the Copa del Rey. The other goalscorers have been Iniesta, Cesc, Adriano and Tello
• If Montoya plays, it will be his 25th appearance for Barcelona. He has so far featured in 19 wins, 3 draws and two defeats
• Cordoba have not won in the Second Division for four games. They have suffered three defeats and drawn once since their last victory on November 11, 5-3 away to Ponferradina
• They are currently eleventh with 23 points, four points short of the promotion play-off zone and 7 clear of the relegation spots
• Cordoba reached this round last season as well, eventually going out to an 88th minute goal from Espanyol in a gripping second leg