Barcelona are back in La Liga action on Sunday night as they take on Valencia in Catalonia.
Hansi Flick’s title hopefuls enter this bout off the back of a bonkers Champions League contest in Lisbon. Barca were 3-1 and 4-2 down to Benfica on Tuesday but remarkably stole the contest at the death thanks to a strike from Raphinha. Their place in the round of 16 is secure ahead of their final league phase clash with Atalanta.
However, they dropped more points in La Liga last week as Jose Bordalas’ Getafe once again proved more than a nuisance. They have fallen even further behind leaders Real Madrid despite thumping their Clasico rivals twice this season.
Valencia look vastly improved under new manager Carlos Corberan, who was appointed at the end of 2024. The historically grand club have been woefully run by Peter Lim, and the threat of relegation is real.
Sunday’s visitors are ensconced in the relegation zone, but their performances since Corberan took over point towards a resurgent outfit. They beat Real Sociedad 1-0 at Mestalla last week.
Given how Wojciech Szczesny performed in Lisbon on Tuesday night, it’d be a major surprise if Inaki Pena wasn’t back between the sticks on Sunday. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a long-term injury absentee.
Barca are also without Inigo Martinez and Marc Bernal, while Dani Olmo is a doubt with a calf issue.
Flick hasn’t rotated too much in recent outings and there are unlikely to be many alterations on Sunday. The German will view next week’s Champions League clash with Atalanta as a better chance to offer the rest of his squad minutes.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Valencia (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Cristhian Mosquera has enjoyed a fine season for Valencia despite their struggles, and his absence through suspension on Sunday comes as a big blow. Real Madrid are among the 20-year-old’s reported admirers, but the centre-back is unlikely to depart before the end of the transfer window.
Another youngster, Yarek Gasiorowski, is expected to deputise for Mosquera in Catalonia.
Valencia are also without Mouctar Diakhaby and Thierry Correia through injury.
Hugo Duro is the man Barca will have to contain in attack. The Valencia striker has scored just six La Liga goals this term, but he was the match-winner last week against Real Sociedad.
Valencia predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Gasiorowski, Gaya; Guerra, Barrenechea; Lopez, Almeida, Rioja; Duro.
