Villarreal boss Marcelino has admitted that it will be "difficult" for his side to overcome Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

The Yellow Submarine have never reached the last-four stage of this competition, but Marcelino is confident of causing an upset despite their underdogs tag.

"It's going to be difficult, but that doesn't mean to say we won't be going there with the ambition of getting a positive result," Inside Spanish Football quotes Marcelino as saying.

"We're two steps from reaching a final and this first game will be a clear indicator of the chances we'll have of reaching that final."

Villarreal have lost just one of their last 20 games in all competitions, but that defeat came against Barca in the league earlier this month.