News
SÁB 25.01.2025
FC Barcelona are set to host Valencia CF in a highly anticipated clash between two historic LALIGA sides, with this duel taking place at the Estadi Olímpic in Montjuïc on Sunday. It remains to be seen if Lewandowski will score again and lead FC Barcelona to their eighth victory in nine league games against Los Che, or whether Corberán’sno victories from their past four league games, the Catalan outfit desperately need the three points this weekend, yet their task will be anything but easy against a Valencia CF side who are building momentum under new coach Carlos Corberán.
Valencia CF are growing in confidence
Corberán’s debut with Los Che may not have been ideal, with his team conceding twice in the closing stages against a 10-man Real Madrid to lose 2-1 at Mestalla. But, two victories in the Copa del Rey and a league draw away at Sevilla FC saw Valencia CF go on a three-game unbeaten run heading into last Sunday’s home clash against Real Sociedad. Hugo Duro netted midway through the first half and the hosts managed to soak up the pressure after the break, earning a 1-0 win, just their third victory this term.
Currently sitting second-bottom in the LALIGA EA SPORTS table, just four points separate Valencia CF from 17th-placed Deportivo Alavés. Los Che have not won away at FC Barcelona since 2015/16, a 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou, but Barça are aware that they should not underestimate one of the most historic clubs in the league. Taking into account that FC Barcelona have lost three of their last four league games at home, and given the boost in confidence injected into Valencia CF thanks to this four-game unbeaten run across all competitions, Corberán’s side will be anything but an easy opponent for the Catalans.
Flick and Valencia CF meet again after the German’s victorious debut
After he was appointed as new FC Barcelona boss back in the summer, Hansi Flick kicked off his career at Los Blaugrana with a tough league debut at Mestalla. In fact, Hugo Duro put the hosts ahead in the 44th minute of that Matchday 1 encounter, but two goals from Robert Lewandowski saw Barça celebrate a 2-1 comeback win that kickstarted a seven-game winning streak in the league early in the campaign. It also means that FC Barcelona have won seven of their last eight games against Valencia CF, whose last league victory over Los Blaugrana dates back to 2020, a 2-0 triumph at Mestalla.
It’s interesting to note that Valencia CF have faced FC Barcelona more times (231) than any other team across all competitions, and they’ll face off in a Copa del Rey quarter-final in February too. And, even when they’ve failed to win in recent meetings, Valencia CF have often given Barça a tough time.
For example, the last time the two sides met in Barcelona, back in April, Hugo Duro and Pepelu netted one apiece to cancel out Fermín López’s opener. Yet, Barça made the most of Giorgi Mamardashvili’s sending off before the break, with Lewandowski scoring a second-half hat-trick to clinch a 4-2 victory. The Poland international remains unbeaten against Valencia CF, as he has faced Los Che four times in which he has netted six goals and celebrated three victories. It remains to be seen if Lewandowski will score again and lead FC Barcelona to their eighth victory in nine league games against Los Che, or whether Corberán’s side will manage to build on their momentum by grabbing their first road victory of the season in the league.
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