Philippe Coutinho starts Barcelona career on bench vs. Espanyol

Philippe Coutinho starts on the bench as Barcelona look to overcome a 1-0 first leg defeat against rivals Espanyol to reach the Copa del Rey semifinal.

Coutinho, a €160 million signing from Liverpool earlier this month, was given the green light to return from a thigh injury on Wednesday but his wait for his first minutes in a Barca shirt goes on.

As well as fellow new signing Yerry Mina, he begins Thursday's game as a substitute against Espanyol, with whom he played in 2012 on a brief loan spell.

Andres Iniesta returns from a calf problem to take his place in Barca's midfield after missing the past three games with a calf injury.

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The surprise inclusion in Ernesto Valverde's side is Aleix Vidal, who is in talks over a move to Roma this month. Jasper Cillessen continues in goal, having played in every Copa del Rey match so far this season.

Valverde has decided against taking too many risks with his team selection, though, after seeing both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid exit the competition this week.

Atletico were well-beaten over two legs by Sevilla, while Madrid were stunned by Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Valencia are the third team already into the last four. They beat Alaves on penalties.

Barca, who have won the Copa del Rey in each of the past three seasons, lost to city rivals Espanyol last week thanks to Oscar Melendo's 87th-minute goal.

It brought an end to Valverde's side's 29-game unbeaten run, which stretched back to the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid in August.

They returned to form in stunning fashion at the weekend, however, beating Real Betis 5-0 in La Liga, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez each scoring twice.