Leaders Barcelona will look to continue the high of their midweek Copa del Rey comeback when they welcome rejuvenated Valencia to Camp Nou.
In another exhibition of attacking excellence, the Catalans dismantled Sevilla and turned a 2-0 first-leg deficit into a 6-3 aggregate triumph. Wednesday’s final goal was resplendent, a one-touch move involving four players being calmly finished off by – who else? – Lionel Messi.
The confidence boost from that match will need to be carried into Saturday’s clash with Los Che. Barca’s eight-match winning streak in La Liga is almost matched by their opponents’ run of four wins from five matches in all competitions, a streak in which they’ve moved up to seventh.
Here are the talking points:
PHILING THE POSITIVE VIBES
Barca’s ethereal slaughter of Sevilla was a delight to behold.
After the disappointment of the first leg, head coach Ernesto Valverde inspired an emphatic – and beautiful – response to set-up a ‘Clasico’ semi-final with Real Madrid.
The result was one thing. But what should have pleased the Barca hierarchy even more was the prominence of maligned Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Displays to merit the £142 million fee paid to Liverpool last January have been surprisingly scarce. This was not the case on Wednesday, with Coutinho striking twice and playing a central role in a stirring retort.
Previously, he’d registered a solitary assist and goal during his last 14 run-outs.
The 26-year-old was labelled as replacement for Andres Iniesta upon arrival. In Valverde’s 4-3-3 system for 2018/19, however, it has been improved France winger Ousmane Dembele who has limited his chances.
Injury to the 21-year-old should mean Coutinho continues against Valencia. Deliver again, and more doubters will be silenced.
MARCELINO’S MIRACLE
It was not just Barca who rose from the dead in midweek.
The final pair of Rodrigo’s hat-trick came past the 90-minute mark, turning a 2-1 aggregate deficit against Getafe into a 3-2 victory and spot in the last-four. That this strength of character was exhibited in a match during which a first-minute away goal was conceded would have buoyed boss Marcelino even more.
An odd campaign for Los Che appears to be reaching a happier end. From drawing eight of their opening 10 top-flight matches, they’ve lost just one of their last five to rise up the standings.
Only five points now separates them from repeating last term’s fourth-placed finish.
Spain forward Rodrigo Moreno will be key top hopes of continuing this upturn, at Camp Nou. The Spain forward has five goals in his last four matches, after previously netting once in his last 26 club appearances.
A predatory strike in November 2017’s 1-1 draw between the sides proves his pedigree versus Barca.
⚽️ @rubensobrino1 y @facuroncaglia10 ya trabajan a las órdenes de Marcelino 👏🏽
— Valencia CF 🦇💯 (@valenciacf) January 31, 2019
🔗 https://t.co/0G2FoaJAD6#AmuntValencia🦇🦇 pic.twitter.com/vBYnjhvdZg
NO SERGIO, NO PROBLEM?
For the first time this season in La Liga, anchor man Sergio Busquets will not be present.
Barca’s boss of the midfield is banned because of an accumulation of yellow cards.
Croatia international Ivan Rakitic, most likely, will drop back into the No6 spot. Chile maverick Arturo Vidal should be restored the starting XI, with emerging Brazil metronome Arthur alongside him.
On star power alone, there is not a visible drop off. But Busquets offers far more than glitz – the cantera player and child of former goalkeeper Carles represents the very soul of the side.
With a record of 12 win from the last 14 home fixtures against Valencia in all competitions, Barca will feel they should be able to do without the 30-year-old on this occasion.
Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin, however, will be emboldened by his absence.
💪 #FridayFeeling
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 1, 2019
🔜 Next challenge: #BarçaValencia
🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/Wp9qBuPmnc
