Copa del Rey 17/18: Real Murcia 0-3 Barcelona; 5 Talking Points

#1 Barcelona were sloppy at the back as Vermaelen made a comeback

Sloppy display at the back despite Vermaelen's return

Real Murcia started well as Barcelona were caught on the counter-attack on more than one occasion, but somehow managed to keep a clean sheet because of Real Murcia's poor finishing. Mascherano and Jasper Cillessen put in good displays, but Vermaelen failed to impress.

Thomas Vermaelen, playing after 561 days of exile from competitive football, was partnered with Javier Mascherano at the back in a four-man defence. The Belgian centre-back had a tough start as Real Murcia looked like the side to open the scoring.

He was caught by the pace of Llorente and Elady but Mascherano and Jasper Cillessen came to his rescue on a couple of occasions. He got better as the game wore on, but failed to put in an impressive performance.