Its almost never a good thing when your favorite team gets eliminated from a major tournament, however in 2010 for Barça it just might be. In the calendar year of 2009, Barça won every trophy available to them. The grind of all that football, often times 3-4 games a week put a lot stress and increased the risk of injury on all the players.

Barça has won the most Copa Del Rey trophies and no team is going to catch their record 25 titles, anytime soon. The most important trophies for Barça to win this season are La Liga & UEFA Champions League and the players need all the rest they can in between matches. Especially Iniesta and Henry who have missed significant time due to injury. Don't forget that this is a World Cup year, so rest becomes more critical. For sure the national team coaches that have players on teams already eliminated from the Copa Del Rey are pleased that their players have less matches on their legs.

As for Barcelona, its one less tournament for Guardiola to stress his mind about lineups and who will be on the bench. Any other year, it would be a massive disappointment for Barça to be out of the Copa Del Rey, but considering the trophy haul in 2009 and what's at stake in 2010, its not so bad that Barça is out of the CDR. For this season, Barca's elimination from the CDR will help the players get some valuable rest and that rest will be crucial as Barça drives for a 4th European Cup trophy and 20th La Liga title.