A superb goal from debutant Carles Alena saved Barcelona from an embarrassing defeat as they drew 1-1 at Hercules in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 tie.
Luis Enrique made 11 changes with Saturday s El Clasico in mind and watched his side endure a significantly more testing evening than he would have expected.
Barca barely produced a meaningful attempt in the first half and were stunned when David Mainz bundled home for the third-tier hosts shortly after the break.
The visitors needed a stunning goal from 18-year-old Alena to get back into the game – but they failed to push on to find a winning goal and have now won only two of their last six in all competitions.
Paco Alcacer s poor start to his Barcelona career continued as he made it nin…