Barcelona will attempt to maintain their six-point lead at the top of La Liga by overcoming lowly Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou on Saturday night.
Although the phrase is often over-used, this is undoubtedly a must-win game for Barca as they look to flex their muscles ahead of a crucial phase of games.
Let’s take a look forward to the game with three key talking points…
Valladolid there for the taking?
After drawing their last three games, and heading into a daunting run of four consecutive away games against Sevilla (league), Lyon (Champions League), Real Madrid (Copa del Rey) and Real Madrid again (league), there is absolutely no doubt that only one outcome will be satisfactory for Barcelona on Saturday night: a resounding victory.
A disappointing run of form has cast fresh doubt over the current leaders’ credentials to claim major honours, and the next few weeks could prove crucial. But Ernesto Valverde’s men can take heart from how they fared during their last similarly challenging spell: after going three games without a win at the end of September, they bounced back with an outstanding run of form which delivered league wins over Madrid and Sevilla along with Champions League triumphs against Tottenham and Inter Milan. A similarly strong reaction is required again now.
Visiting Valladolid are not expected to present any major problems, with the relegation-threatened outfit collecting just two points and scoring only two goals in their last four league away games. They should be there for the taking, and anything less than a morale-boosting big win – especially after the luxury of a rare midweek off – would threaten Barca’s morale ahead of a hugely demanding run of games.
Will Valverde celebrate new deal in style?
The game comes a day after Barca confirmed that manager Ernesto Valverde has agreed a one-year contract extension, a piece of news which was far from universally celebrated by a set of fans who are divided over the ex-Athletic Bilbao coach’s capabilities.
It should be noted, however, that the majority of Valverde’s critics are far-flung keyboard warriors who vent their fury on social media, while the general opinion among match-going fans is far more positive and Valverde is assured a warm welcome at the Camp Nou on Saturday evening.
However, the next few weeks will present a major test to the experienced coach, especially with his team returning to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since the debacle of their shock exit against Roma in last season’s quarter-finals.
Valverde appears to have the full support of his playing squad, and the favourable opinions of key dressing room figures such as Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez was undoubtedly a factor in the club’s decision to extend his contract. And there would be no better way for Valverde to answer his critics by overseeing a fluid and flowing performance to deliver a comprehensive win in front of his home fans.
Dembele and Alena, or Coutinho and Vidal?
Last weekend’s goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao featured a pair of substitutions which Valverde must be seriously considering repeating from the start this weekend: Arturo Vidal and Philippe Coutinho were taken off, with Carles Alena and Ousmane Dembele.
Both choices represent a significant contrast in style, starting in midfield where Alena’s technical skills are a better fit for the team’s overall approach whereas Vidal offers a greater and oft-needed dose of physicality. The situation is further muddied by the option for Valverde to start with neither Vidal nor Alena, and instead plump for versatile Sergi Roberto.
On the left flank, Coutinho is theoretically a safer bet, capable of keeping the ball with conservative passing, whereas Dembele is a high-risk, high-reward performer who regularly concedes possession cheaply but also poses a much greater threat than the Brazilian.
On the evidence of the current campaign, Dembele will surely feature in the team’s strongest starting eleven ahead of the consistently underwhelming Coutinho, and Valverde must be keen to start Dembele for the first time in nearly a month following injury rather than plunging him straight into the side for Tuesday’s trip to Lyon. With that in mind, Dembele being restricted to the bench this weekend would be a big surprise – and don’t be shocked if Valverde lines up with a 4-4-2 featuring both Coutinho and Dembele.
