As Barca prepares to face Valencia, the stakes are at an all-time high for the Blaugrana. Flick’s men have had a massive dip in form in La Liga and will look to reclaim their focus and stay in the La Liga race. Valencia, despite their struggles, could pose a real threat.
Let’s break down what to expect.
Can Flick’s Side Bounce Back?
Barca finds itself at a critical spot in La Liga this season. A win has become crucial for the Catalans tonight, as only this way can Barca keep their La Liga hopes alive. Flick’s side will look to rediscover form, and this match is a great way to set the tone for the last 18 rounds.
Real Madrid now has a 10-point lead with one more game played, which might motivate Flick’s side to reignite their point-gaining form. It could also go another way if the players get under pressure, but after the character shown in the match against Benfica, I have a strong belief Barca will be confident.
Expected Lineups, Key Battles & Tactical Insights
Barcelona are expected to go with a 4-2-3-1 lineup, with the following players:
Although the SofaScore graphic still shows Pedri to feature tonight, the Spaniard will not be featuring as he is unfortunately suffering from gastroenteritis. This means Pablo Torre, De Jong or Fermin Lopez might get minutes tonight as Olmo is still unavailable due to injury.
Barcelona will largely depend on their ability to tighten their defensive gaps and control midfield from the start. Flick’s side should dominate possession and dictate the tempo from early on. With Pedri’s absentee tonight, let’s see how good the Barcelona midfield performs.
Defensively, Ronaldo Araujo will battle the Valencia striker Duro and must make sure to keep him in check. Flick’s team cannot crumble defensively as the previous game, although a win, was a defensive disaster-class.
Can Valencia’s Side Stun the Blaugrana Again?
Valencia sits at the 19th spot of the table, but their recent performances suggest they could be poised to surprise Barcelona once again. They have shown some resilience and defense that could trouble Barcelona, as the Catalans have struggled a lot against relegation teams this season.
Valencia’s top scorer, Hugo Duro, could be a serious threat to Barca, and emerging player Yarek Gasiorowski might be a player to look for.
As Barcelona looks to get three points tonight, Valencia must not be underestimated, especially after their near-miss earlier this season when they forced Barca to fight for a comeback victory.
I predict Barca will win this home game 3-1 and get back in form in the league. Visca Barca!