Barcelona should harness the euphoria of their thrilling Champions League victory at Benfica to halt a depressing run of La Liga kind in opposition to an enhancing Valencia aspect on Sunday.
The Catalan giants have only one victory of their final eight league video games and have dropped seven factors behind champions and present leaders Actual Madrid.
Valencia go to the Olympic stadium on the again of a formidable 1-0 residence win in opposition to Actual Sociedad final weekend, with the crew already trying stronger beneath new coach Carlos Corberan.
The previous West Bromwich Albion coach was appointed on Christmas day, and his aspect got here near taking factors off Madrid in a slim 2-1 defeat in his first outing.
Los Che have additionally gained two cup video games in January to achieve the quarter-finals, the place they will even face Barcelona.
Their win over Actual Sociedad helped them climb off the underside of the desk to nineteenth, 4 factors from security.
Corberan and Co face a Barcelona aspect that has scored 5 objectives in three of their final 4 matches, however their solely league recreation in that interval completed in a irritating 1-1 draw at Getafe final Saturday.
Valencia will be aware of how the Madrid minnows’ low block defence induced Hansi Flick’s aspect an excessive amount of problem to interrupt down and can possible observe swimsuit.
Flick mentioned his crew additionally needed to work on their defensive errors in opposition to Benfica forward of the Valencia conflict.
“It is necessary we discuss this, as a result of the following opponents will take a look at this match and we’ve got to make it higher, and we’ll do this,” mentioned the German coach.
“We are going to practice on this, if it is potential, or we will (talk about it) within the assembly, we will do some technical issues.
“We analyse the whole lot and we’ll present (the gamers) what we’ve got to do higher.”
La Liga’s high goalscorer Robert Lewandowski netted twice in midweek from the penalty spot however has solely produced one purpose in his final 5 league matches.
Getafe additionally managed to maintain Barca’s teenage starlet Lamine Yamal quiet, which few different sides have managed this season.
Corberan known as on his Valencia crew to maintain enhancing forward of the journey to Barcelona.
“We now have to continue to grow, I’ll get essentially the most out of each recreation we play,” mentioned the Valencia coach.
“I am not right here to say that we’ve got to develop for the sake of it, it is a actuality of soccer.
“The crew is growing when it comes to character, dedication, dedication and it is crucial to consolidate that.”
Valencia have solely been relegated as soon as within the membership’s historical past, in 1986, and had been promoted the next yr.
Their enchancment beneath Corberan might be confirmed if they’ll take even a degree from title challengers Barcelona, which may show very important come the tip of the season.
Participant to observe: Julian Alvarez
The previous Manchester Metropolis striker has just lately struck high kind for Atletico Madrid, netting twice to earn them a significant comeback triumph within the Champions League in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. He and Antoine Griezmann are forming a robust partnership up entrance which is powering their title bid, which continues with the go to of high-flying Villarreal on Saturday.
Key stats:
22 – Barcelona winger Raphinha has already scored extra objectives this season throughout all competitions than in another marketing campaign
48 – Osasuna’s Lucas Torro is La Liga’s largest fouler
75 – Actual Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has had essentially the most pictures of any participant
Fixtures
Friday (all instances GMT)
Las Palmas v Osasuna (2000)
Saturday
Mallorca v Actual Betis (1300), Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (1515), Sevilla v Espanyol (1730), Valladolid v Actual Madrid (2000)
Sunday
Rayo Vallecano v Girona (1300), Actual Sociedad v Getafe (1515), Athletic Bilbao v Leganes (1730), Barcelona v Valencia (2000)
Monday
Alaves v Celta Vigo (2000)
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