Eto'o left off Barcelona's team for Copa del Rey

Samuel Eto'o was left off FC Barcelona's squad for Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarterfinal match against Zaragoza.

Photo: Eto'o left off Barcelona's team for Copa del Rey

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said Tuesday he rested Eto'o after taking medical advice about the striker's fitness.

"We have spoken to the doctors and the player and we agree that it's better not to pick him," Rijkaard was quoted as saying by news agency Europa Press. "It's a shame but that the way it is."

Barcelona faces three crucial games over the next two weeks.

The league leaders visit second-place Sevilla on Saturday, will try to overturn a 2-1 deficit at Liverpool in the Champions League three days later and then host Madrid the following Saturday.

Last Sunday, Eto'o scored against Athletic Bilbao for his first goal for Barcelona since returning from a serious right knee injury.

Eto'o began his comeback from September's injury as a substitute against Osasuna on Feb. 4. The following week against Racing Santander, he was accused of refusing to leave the bench, sparking an angry outburst two days later in which he railed against Rijkaard and Ronaldinho, reports AP.

Barcelona lost to Zaragoza 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.