Barça vs Valencia: Preview
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The champions return from the international break in desperate need of points, performance and positivity
FC Barcelona (12th, 4pts) vs Valencia CF (9th, 4pts)*
*Points and positions at the time of writing on Friday
Competition/Round: 2019-20 La Liga, Matchday 4
Barcelona Outs & Doubts: Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé, Samuel Umtiti, Neto (out)
Valencia Outs & Doubts: Carlos Soler, Cristiano Piccini (out)
Date/Time: Saturday, September 14, 2019, 9pm CET (Barcelona), 8pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 12.30am IST (India, Sunday)
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez
How to watch on TV: beIN SPORTS (USA & Canada), Premier Sports 2 (UK), Movistar LaLiga (Spain), others
How to stream: FuboTV (USA), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (USA & Canada), Premier Player (UK), Movistar+ (Spain), others
The first international break of the season is over, and Barcelona return to action in La Liga two weeks after a bad 2-2 draw away to Osasuna and just one victory to start the season. Except from the marvelous performance against Real Betis this Barça team has been mediocre at best, and with all the injuries, transfer uncertainty and questionable coaching, that’s definitely understandable.
Some injuries continue, like Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé and now Samuel Umtiti, a couple are over like Luis Suárez and Junior Firpo, and the window is officially shut with no Neymar in the squad. Now it’s up to the players who are there and to Ernesto Valverde to up their level to prove that this squad is as spectacular as Messi thinks it is.
The first challenge in September is Valencia, who have sacked their great manager Marcelino in a decision that makes as much sense as playing Frenkie De Jong on the left wing. These two teams are filled with doubts and questions coming into this one, and this match can go absolutely anywhere.
This should be good, and literally any result is possible. Like, seriously.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Arthur; Pérez, Griezmann, Fati
Valencia (4-4-2): Cillessen; Wass, Garay, Gabriel, Gayà; Torres, Parejo, Coquelin, Guedes; Rodrigo, Gameiro
PREDICTION
Except from Anfield and Rome, this Barça team has always responded well when under pressure with Valverde in charge: 3-1 to the champs.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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