Head coach Xavi Hernandez knows that FC Barcelona must win at Valencia on Saturday in a match he has described as a final “because we need points”.
“In La Liga we are not where we should be,” he accepted regarding the defending champions’ fourth place, at his pre-match press conference Friday afternoon. “The defeats against Madrid and Girona weighed on us and are affecting us.”
“Tomorrow is very important against a complicated and tough opponent. [Ruben] Baraja is doing an extraordinary job.
“They have taken a step forward, the Mestalla is putting pressure [on visitors] even though they have one point out of 12. It’s a final and that’s how we’re going into it,” the club legend declared.
With Madrid and Girona not playing until Sunday and Monday respectively, Barca can cut their Catalan neighbours’ lead to four points. But they might stay in fourth place, if third-placed Atletico Madrid have beaten Athletic Club earlier this afternoon.
As should be expected, there will be several changes from the second string outfit that lost 3-2 to Royal Antwerp in the Champions League midweek.
Given Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s recovery from back surgery, goalkeeper Inaki Pena is not one of them as he is protected by a back line of Alejandro Balde, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Joao Cancelo.
This defense sees Jules Kounde dropped for poor form, plus a report from the local media confirmed – for now – that Araujo won’t play at right back anymore.
In midfield, Frenkie de Jong returns from a fever to take the struggling Oriol Romeu’s place after the ex-Girona man was at fault for at least two of Antwerp’s goals.
He is the lone pivot behind Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri, with the three men looking to replicate their best performance of the season together against Atletico Madrid when the Blaugrana won 3-1.
Up top, it is Joao Felix and Lamine Yamal to the left and right of a Robert Lewandowski who scored a 90th minute winner at this ground last season.
FC Barcelona Starting XI Vs. Valencia: Pena; Balde, Christensen, Araujo, Cancelo; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Felix, Lewandowski, Lamal