Xavi Hernández faces a lineup dilemma as Barcelona prepares for a crucial home test against Valencia in LaLiga.
Coming off a hard-fought 0-1 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Santiago Bernabéu, Barcelona returns to domestic action with the aim of extending their lead at the top of the Primera División to seven points. Valencia, by contrast, are entrenched in relegation trouble, clinging to the hope of an upset at Camp Nou.
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Barcelona arrive at the match with several key absences. Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembélé, and Pedri González will miss the game due to injury, while Pablo Gavi is suspended. Andreas Christensen remains a doubt after an ankle issue that kept him out of the Madrid clash. With these injuries and the suspension in mind, Xavi could set up a starting XI very similar to the one that defeated Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. In goal, Marc-André ter Stegen. In defense, Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Marcos Alonso, and Jordi Alba—Alba replacing Alejandro Balde if needed. The midfield would likely feature Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets, with Franck Kessié providing support given his solid performance against the whites. Up front, the forward line could include Raphinha and Ferrán Torres with Sergi Roberto or Ansu Fati in a wide attacking berth. The right third of the attack remains the great uncertainty for Xavi as he shapes his preferred trio.
Valencia, coached by Rubén Baraja, will approach the match buoyed by their most recent league win, a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad. However, they travel with a depleted squad, having six players unavailable, including Gabriel Paulista and Edinson Cavani. The visitors could deploy a balanced 4-3-3 shape, with Thierry Correia and Dimitri Foulquier operating as right-sided wide players to solidify the defense and width. Yet Baraja may opt for a more adventurous setup, highlighting Samu Castillejo as a forward option alongside Hugo Duro and Samuel Lino in attack.
The match promises to be a tactical duel as Valencia seeks a shock result to spark a late-season revival, while Barcelona aim to extend their advantage and keep momentum ahead of a demanding schedule.
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LINEUPS OF BARCELONA VS. VALENCIA
FC Barcelona (1-4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araújo, Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba; Kessié, Busquets, De Jong; Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Sergi Roberto Ansu Fati
Valencia CF (1-4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Thierry Correia, Comert, Diakhaby, Lato; Musah, Guióllamon, Andre Almeida; Foulquier, Castillejo, Hugo Duro, Samuel Lino
WHEN AND WHERE IS BARCELONA VS. VALENCIA
THE CALL FOR BARCELONA VS. VALENCIA
At the moment, there are no published lineups for either side ahead of kickoff.
INJURED AND CREATED FROM BARCELONA VS. VALENCIA
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