Barca face tough Cup tie with Bilbao, Real host Sociedad

MADRID, Jan 31 — Barcelona have been handed a daunting trip to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey in today’s draw, while Real Madrid face a home game against one of the top teams in La Liga in Real Sociedad.

Holders Valencia will travel to Granada while second division Mirandes, who pulled off a shock 3-1 win over Sevilla in the last 16, will host Villarreal.

The ties will be played between February 4 and February 6 across one game, although the semi-final ties will be played over two legs.

The Catalans were beaten 1-0 by Athletic in their last trip to San Mames in August and were held 0-0 by the Basque side last February.

They have a strong record against them in the Cup, however, beating them in the final in 2009, 2012 and 2015.

Barca trounced Leganes 5-0 yesterday to reach the last eight of the competition which they have won a record 30 times, while Real Madrid thrashed Real Zaragoza 4-0. — Reuters