This weekend’s big game in La Liga takes place on Sunday night as leaders Barcelona travel to Valencia looking to end a run of three games without a win.
Wednesday’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday restored morale at the Camp Nou club after a disappointing run in La Liga, and now Ernesto Valverde’s men will be eager to get their league form back on track to head into the international break on a high.
Here we check out three big stories ahead of the action.
MAGICAL MESSI GIVEN A STIFFER TEST?
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez
Lionel Messi stole the headlines against Tottenham in midweek with yet another brilliant match-winning display, capping a mesmerising all-round performance with a pair of expertly taken goals on a memorable night for Barca.
However, Tottenham undoubtedly contributed to their own downfall by leaving oceans of room for Messi to roam on the wide expanses of the Wembley pitch, and rigidly disciplined Valencia boss Marcelino is sure to demand a much more organised defensive approach from his players at Mestalla on Sunday night.
Messi could have a different strike partner with Luis Suarez – who was influential despite not scoring at Wembley – struggling with a knee injury. But Suarez has already confirmed he will not travel with Uruguay during the upcoming international break as his wife is due to give birth to their third child, so the feisty forward is sure to push himself to the limit in order to play, knowing that a two-week break lies around the corner.
If Suarez can’t make it, his place will be taken by Munir El-Haddadi, who spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Valencia and actually scored against Barca during a thrilling 3-2 win for the Camp Nou club at Mestalla almost exactly two years ago.
ARTHUR TAKING CENTRE STAGE?
Arthur Melo in action earlier in the season against Girona
Other than Messi’s heroics, the other big plus to emerge from Barca’s midweek win was an outstanding and authoritative performance from central midfielder Arthur, who earned comparisons with club legend Xavi for his calm control of possession in the centre of the field.
Arthur has started just one league game and only played a total of 85 minutes in the league since signing in the summer from Brazilian club Gremio, but now coach Valverde must surely be considering making him a more central part of his plans.
That would be bad news for Ousmane Dembele, who has started every league game so far but is in danger of being relegated to substitute status if Arthur assumes a more prominent position. Arturo Vidal, who is already rumoured to be frustrated by his lack of playing time, would also be bumped further down the pecking order – but Arthur could be well worth it.
ARE VALENCIA HITTING TOP GEAR?
Valencia’s Spanish coach Marcelino
After a poor start to the season, Valencia appear to be finally finding their form. Marcelino’s men gained their first win of the campaign last weekend with a 1-0 triumph at Real Sociedad and then earned a creditable midweek goalless draw at Manchester United in the Champions League.
There’s certainly a sense that a lot more will come from this Valencia team, who really could have won at Old Trafford on Tuesday night with a little bit more care in the final third, especially from highly talented but equally erratic winger Goncalo Guedes.
After seeing his team concede just one goal in their last four games, Marcelino now has to find the right formula in attack and he certainly has plenty of options. None of his four strikers – Rodrigo, Michy Batshuayi, Kevin Gameiro and currently injured Santi Mina – have been in particularly convincing form.
There are also plenty of possibilities in the wide attacking positions, where Guedes’s frustrating performance in Manchester could see him replaced by Daniel Wass, Denis Cheryshev or Carlos Soler.
Marcelino certainly has plenty of talent at his disposal, and if Los Che’s recent defensive tightness can be matched by more efficiency up front, Barca will have an almighty challenge.
