Aleix Vidal need not worry too much about being on the bench though as Luis Enrique said in the build-up to the game that both he and Arda Turan would get a game.

"Both of them will get the chance to wear the Barca shirt and play a part in the match. We have GPS data from their training sessions that shows that they are perfectly capable of playing the full 90 minutes.

“Arda can play in the middle or out wide, and I dare say Aleix Vidal could play in any of three positions, either at full-back, centre-back or even out on the wing. He can play in any of these positions depending on what we need to get from certain matches. Both players have outstanding skill.”  

Barcelona hand a debut to Arda Turan in a midfield three, with Aleix Vidal on the bench. Boss Luis Enrique names a strong team with Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi all starting up front.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Turan, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar. Subs: Masip, Rakitic, Bartra, Munir, Vidal, Vermaelen, Mathieu.

Espanyol: Pau, Javi Lopez, Raillo, Roco, Víctor Alvarez; Diop, Abraham, Hernan Perez, Marco Asensio, Gerard Moreno, Caicedo. Subs: Bardi, Duarte, Sevilla Lopez, Franco Alviz, Ciani, Jordan Moreno, Diallo.

Image source, Getty Images

Today is the day that Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal have been waiting for since the summer - probably before then even.

Barcelona were not allowed to sign players until January but so eager were the versatile duo to play for the Catalan giants that, rather than wait until the new year to try to join the club, they took the chance when it was there in the summer even though it meant half a year without being able to play football.

And for the last six months they have waited....

and waited...

and even when January came they had to wait a bit more because they couldn't be registered for Saturday's game because the Spanish league offices were closed on New Year's Day.

But today's the day...

Image source, Reuters

Barcelona and Espanyol may be city rivals but by the end of next week their players might feel they've seen each other more than they have their families.

Today is their second of third meetings in 11 days. The first - on Saturday - was a goalless draw in the league.

This is the Copa del Rey last 16 first leg - the second match is next Wednesday.