Barcelona are set to travel to Mestalla Stadium on Thursday for an exciting Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Valencia. The two sides met recently in La Liga, with Barcelona coming out on top after annihilating Los Che 7-1.
Valencia would look to settle the score for the crushing defeat and replicate a similar result they enjoyed in the finals of the 2019 Copa del Rey, where they edged out the Blaugrana to lift the trophy. However, Barcelona’s scintillating form means they are the clear favourites for the quarter-final tie, regardless of the away disadvantage.
Hansi Flick’s side have been lethal in transitional attacks, causing mayhem to most of the defences. Barca are coming on the back of a narrow 1-0 win over Alaves in La Liga, which helped them close the gap in the title race, with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid ahead of them in the table.
La Liga’s second-bottom side Valencia need to come up with different plans this time to stop the Catalan club’s relentless attacking machine, which has troubled some of the best teams in Europe this season.
Barcelona Team News
Dani Olmo, who has missed the last four games through injury, is facing a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the clash against Valencia.
Raphinha, shooting for the Copa del Rey 🚀🏆 pic.twitter.com/JmgJYJJkFF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 5, 2025
In addition, there is also uncertainty over Gavi’s participation after suffering a concussion in the game against Alaves.
Predicted Barcelona Lineup vs Valencia (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
After losing his spot to Wojciech Szczesny in recent weeks, Inaki Pena could get the opportunity from Flick to start against Valencia.
Defence
Ronald Araujo will continue to marshall the defence in the absence of Andreas Christensen and Inigo Martinez, who had just recovered from an injury, alongside the undisputed centre-back Pau Cubarsi, who has been phenomenal this season.
Alejandro Balde should feature as the left-back, and Jules Kounde, who has been ever-present this season, will ply his trade on the right in the Barcelona lineup.
Midfield
Frenkie de Jong is expected to get the nod in the Barcelona lineup after impressing from the bench in the last few games. The Dutch midfielder’s cameos have been instrumental in Barca’s impressive run and he would be waiting to seize his opportunity again.
Fermin Lopez, who was the star of the show in Barca’s drubbing of Valencia a few days ago, might start alongside the midfield maestro Pedri.
Attack
Lamine Yamal should retain his place on the right wing, with in-form Raphinha on the left. Robert Lewandowski, who scored the winning goal against Alaves, should lead the attack.
