Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs Valencia: La Liga Showdown

Barcelona prepares to face a revitalized Valencia side in a highly anticipated La Liga clash on Sunday night. With Hansi Flick reluctant to rotate his squad extensively, the Catalans aim to maintain their momentum following a dramatic midweek Champions League victory.

Barcelona’s Momentum After Benfica Comeback

Hansi Flick described Barcelona’s stunning comeback against Benfica as one of the most extraordinary games he’s witnessed. The Blaugrana overturned a 4-2 deficit in Lisbon to secure a last-gasp 5-4 win, courtesy of Raphinha’s decisive strike. While not a “Remontada” in its historical sense, the victory ensured Barcelona’s place in the Champions League Round of 16, allowing them to rest key players for their next midweek fixture against Atalanta.

With confidence soaring, Barcelona now turns its focus to Valencia, who have shown significant improvement in recent weeks. Here’s the predicted lineup for Sunday’s showdown.

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs Valencia (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper
Inaki Pena: Wojciech Szczesny’s chaotic performance midweek opens the door for Pena to reclaim his spot between the posts.

Defenders
Jules Kounde: Kounde remains an offensive threat from right-back and has been a consistent performer throughout the season.
Ronald Araujo: Despite some shaky moments in Lisbon, Araujo will anchor Barcelona’s defense as their captain.
Pau Cubarsi: With Inigo Martinez and Andreas Christensen unavailable, Cubarsi steps up as a key ball-playing defender.
Alejandro Balde: Balde’s recent performances suggest he’s regaining his pre-injury form, making him vital on the left flank.

Midfielders
Marc Casado: Casado has been a reliable presence in Flick’s midfield and will play a pivotal role on Sunday.
Pedri: Fresh off a heroic midweek performance, Pedri continues to shine as Barcelona’s midfield maestro. A new contract with a massive release clause is reportedly in the works.

Attackers
Lamine Yamal: The young talent aims to bounce back from a quiet performance midweek and make an impact against Valencia.
Gavi: Flick’s decision to push Gavi further upfield has paid off, with the Spaniard thriving in a more advanced midfield role.
Raphinha: The Brazilian, whose late heroics sealed victory in Lisbon, has been in Ballon d’Or-worthy form this season.
Robert Lewandowski: With six goals in four matches against Valencia, Lewandowski will lead the line as Barcelona’s primary goal threat.

Valencia’s Resurgence: A Tough Opponent

Valencia, rejuvenated under new management, pose a significant challenge for Barcelona. Their recent form has made them a team to watch, and Barcelona will need to be at their best to secure a vital three points in their title chase.

Your Opinion Matters!

What do you think of Barcelona’s predicted lineup? Should Hansi Flick make more changes or stick with his proven setup? Share your thoughts and match predictions in the comments below. Let’s discuss!