Match Preview : Barça VS Valencia- LA LIGA

Only a few days on from one of the most incredible comebacks in European football history, with a 5-4 last minute win against Benfica, were back to La Liga action again with our first home league game of the new year. Live from 9pm local time, from the Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys its Barça up against Valencia.

Not an easy game, yet another one of those tricky La Liga games against a bottom of the table team. We’ve struggled a lot in recent months not only in La Liga, but especially against lower league teams that are good on the transition. We’ve lost too many points over the last few months and haven’t picked up enough either.

So, for me, in games like this, we can’t just come into it with too much confidence as we haven’t proven over the course of the season that we are consistent enough in games like this. However, we’ll be hoping to start making a change to that trend later tonight. Let’s wait and see!

A Quick Look at our opponent:

In terms of our opponent Valencia, they’re on a long road of transition. They’ve been rebuilding over the last few season, having lost a lot of key experienced players and trusted a Lot in the youth academy. They’re also under the management of a new Coach. Former West Brom manager Carlos Corberan took over seemingly over the course of the new year.

They’re an inconsistent side and find themselves in the legation zone, which for a team as iconic as Valencia, is a mad thing to say, but that’s been their reality for the last few seasons now. But again, they’re not a side we can take lightly. We can’t just assume its going to be a straightforward game. It’s not going to be like that, and yet again its going to be a tricky one to navigate. But a statement is needed that’s for sure.

Predicted lineup:

When we’re thinking about our lineup for the game, for me, it’s important that we make a few rotations.

They’ve problem for us this season is, however, is that our squad depth is pretty poor so when we do rotate, the overall side is weakened. The only part of the team we can rotate properly and still maintain the quality, is in midfield. But elsewhere, we just don’t have enough cover. Olmo is still out injured too. So we can’t rotate everyone, but for me id be looking at 2 or 3 specific players to rest.

First is Cubarsi, he’s played a lot of minutes this season and deserves some rest. The same for Pedri and id also try and rest Yamal from the start, so he’s not going on for another 90 minutes. So in that case, in terms of their replacements, id be looking at Eric Garcia to replace Cubarsi. Especially after such a brilliant impact in midweek. Fermin has had some great cameos too recently, so he’s could be an option, or even Pablo Torre.

And I’d also bring in Ferran Torres from the start too. On that right hand side to take the place of Yamal. Pau victor at striker would be interesting too, but that’s probably a step too far as far as hopes go.