Barça cruised to an easy win against weak opposition tonight in the Spanish Cup. Goals from Thierry Henry, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Bojan Krkic now make the return leg at Camp Nou on January 2nd a foregone conclusion. Alcoyano lasted twenty-five minutes before Barça scored with their first decent move of the game.

Barça played with a front three of Giovani dos Santos, Henry and Iniesta, but Iniesta moved back to help in midfield and popped up all over the place. Gudjohnsen played in midfield with Xavi and Toure. However, at first the formation did not seem to be working, and Barça only created danger from a Marquez free kick. Albert Jorquera playing his first game in goal of the season made an early save  from a header from the edge of the area but after that he was pretty much untroubled.

Barça play Alcoyano tonight in the first leg of the last 32 of the Copa del Rey (kick off 9pm). Unfortunately due to the format of the competition this game produces little excitement for me. Ronaldinho, Messi and Milito are all absent on internation duty, while Gianluca Zambrotta is suspended due to being sent off at Getafe. Marc Crosas and Rafa Marquez have been added to a 16-man squad.

It's impossible to forecast the team that will play as it is a time to experiment and give a chance to some of the least used players. Santi Ezquerro misses a chance for a game as he is injured. Albert Jorquera may get an opportunity in place of Valdés. For more on Alcoyano and my view on the Spanish cup format go to - /blogs/FCBnews/po...

The draw for the last 32 of the Spanish Cup was made today and Barça have been drawn to play Club Deportivo Alcoyano who play in Group 3 of the Second Division B. Alcoyano are currently  third from bottom of their league, having won just one game out of eight so far this season. The club was formed in 1929 and is from the town of Alcoy in the province of Alicante. They play at El Collao which has a capacity of 4,500 spectators.

The tie will be played over two legs with the first game at El Collao on the 13th November and the return at Camp Nou on January 2nd. Please note that dates could be changed by a day here or there depending on the TV coverage which is yet to be decided.

This tie should obviously cause Barça few problems. I believe it is a great shame that the Spanish Cup is ...