Barcelona are aiming to succeed in the Copa del Rey semi-finals once they go to Valencia within the final eight of the competitors on Thursday.
Hansi Flick’s aspect have been in spectacular kind since returning kind their winter break initially of the brand new 12 months and at the moment are unbeaten in 9 matches. They even received their first piece of silverware underneath the German coach by thrashing Actual Madrid within the Supercopa de Espana last in January and they are going to be eager to make the Copa del Rey their second trophy of the marketing campaign come the top of April.
Having crushed Valencia 7-1 lower than two weeks in the past, Barcelona ought to be assured visiting the Mestalla. Fermin Lopez bagged a double and was joined on the scoresheet by the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha throughout a thumping league win over Carlos Corberan’s resurgent aspect.
Right here is how Barcelona might line up midweek.
GK: Wojciech Szczesny – Flick confirmed that Szczesny is Barcelona’s first-choice within the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen regardless of an extremely ropey begin to his profession in Spanish soccer.
RB: Jules Kounde – Luis Rioja might properly line up in opposition to Kounde on Thursday and the 31-year-old is in red-hot kind after his purpose and help on the weekend. Barcelona’s right-back should be on excessive alert.
CB: Eric Garcia – Garcia changed the sub-par Ronald Araujo at half-time in opposition to Deportivo Alaves on the weekend and the previous Manchester Metropolis defender might come into the XI to permit his teammate a relaxation.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – Earned one other clear sheet on Sunday following a wonderful show in opposition to Alaves. Barcelona’s excessive line means he all the time must be ready to make use of his athleticism and intelligence to snuff out direct assaults.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Balde was way more concerned within the last third than in his personal half on the weekend. He might carry out the same offensive-minded operate in opposition to a Valencia aspect whose defensive points had been proven up by Barcelona on the finish of final month.
DM: Marc Casado – Regardless of being substituted at half-time in opposition to Alaves, Casado might retain his beginning berth on the weekend as Flick eyes a possibility to relaxation Pedri.
DM: Frenkie de Jong – Casado’s spectacular rise has restricted De Jong’s minutes this time period however the Dutchman began and scored in opposition to Valencia within the seven-goal thrashing.
RW: Lamine Yamal – A really phenomenal season now stands at ten objectives and 13 assists in all competitions, though he was restricted to only a single help in final month’s thrashing of Valencia.
AM: Fermin Lopez – Lopez scored a brace and registered two assists within the current assembly with Los Che and may very well be handed a beginning berth on Thursday with Dani Olmo solely set for a cameo look at greatest. He is all the time vigorous when known as upon.
LW: Raphinha – The lethal Brazilian has put most opponents to the sword this season and can fancy his possibilities of piling distress on Valencia within the cup. Dimitri Foulquier’s potential absence at right-back will solely provide him an additional enhance.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – The Polish sharpshooter determined Sunday’s La Liga win and now boasts an astonishing 30 objectives in 32 outings this time period. He has scored seven in simply 5 duels with Valencia beforehand.
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