When taking a look at home cup matches, there are at all times fascinating tales behind the groups that seem in them however few can match Unionistas de Salamanca CF who will probably be internet hosting Barcelona within the final 16 of the Spanish Copa Del Rey on Thursday. Based in 2013 by followers of Union Deportiva Salamanca, Unionistas are a fan-owned membership that rose from the bottom division in Spanish soccer to the third tier in solely 4 seasons. At present they sit in thirteenth place in Group 1 of the 2 teams in Premera Federacion however, spectacularly, within the cup they will now host Barcelona after knocking Villarreal out on penalties.

How they obtained right here

The Copa Del Rey has reached the spherical of 16, and the Unionistas are actually the lowest-ranked aspect with everybody within the remaining 16 however them and second-division Tenerife hailing from La Liga. Upsetting Barcelona could be a historic second not solely within the historical past of the membership but additionally within the historical past of your entire Copa Del Rey. It took a penalty for Alfred Planas to attain towards Villarreal however holding the La Liga aspect to just one aim in 120 minutes of play is sort of the feat, earlier than preserving their cool in a penalty shootout to advance to the spherical of 16 for the primary time in membership historical past. Unionistas confronted Actual Madrid within the spherical of 32 within the 2019-20 season however this match towards Barcelona will nonetheless be the most important recreation to have come to their dwelling floor of Queen Sofia which sits precisely the variety of house owners in 4,895. Additionally dealing with SD Gernika Membership and Sporting Gijon thus far, Unionistas have allowed one aim in three matches whereas scoring 5.

Membership Historical past

After 90 years of existence, Union Depirtiva Salamanca have been liquidated because of unpaid money owed in June of 2013 resulting in followers founding Unionistas de Salamanca CF. It is a easy identify nevertheless it’s dripping with that means. The membership interprets as “supporters of soccer membership Salamanca,” however that is deeply symbolic because the membership is definitely owned by the followers. Supported by volunteers within the membership’s infancy, Unionistas continued to realize help resulting in the primary elections going down in March of 2014 forward of debuting for the 2014-15 season. That debut season noticed Unionistas win the Provincial of Salamanca to get promoted, a feat that they’d proceed transferring up a degree in two of the three years that adopted till now settling within the third division. That 2018 trophy has been the final piece of silverware received by the membership, however so long as they continue to be within the Copa Del Rey, they’ll dream of extra sooner or later.

Can they topple Barcelona?

It will likely be a tall process with sportsbooks giving Union de Salmanaca +2100 odds to win the match, however with how their protection has carried out within the competitors thus far, there’s at all times an opportunity to make waves. Within the spherical of 32, Barcelona struggled to comprise Barbastro, a crew from the fifth division, and wanted an 88th minute penalty from Robert Lewandowski for the eventual winner. So, if Unionistas get to face a Barcelona enjoying like that, and are capable of go forward early, Barcelona could crack to make a historic second potential. And Barcelona could also be dealing with a hangover, as properly, after their El Clasico loss to Actual Madrid within the Spanish Supercopa remaining in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

How you can watch and odds

• Date: Thursday, Jan. 18 | Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Campo de Futbol Reina Sofia — Salamanca, Spain
• TV: None  | Dwell stream: ESPN+
• Odds: Union de Salamanca +2100; Draw +850; Barcelona -1050