Barça, forced to turn the page in Mestalla

Turn the page as soon as possible. That is what Barcelona will be looking for this Saturday at Mestalla against Valencia. The team led by Xavi Hernández received a severe setback on Wednesday when they were eliminated for the second consecutive season at the first change in the Champions League, but they need to get up to prevent the slump from spreading to a competition in which they still have real options to take the title. The Catalans are looking for a victory that allows them to follow in the footsteps of Real Madrid and regain a confidence that is more diminished than ever.

“I’m still positive, although it’s an important bump in the Champions League. We can still fight for the League, the Cup, the Europa League and the Super Cup. Tomorrow’s game is against a strong opponent, so it’s a test to show character and reaction », assured Xavi this Friday at the press conference prior to his team’s game against Valencia. The Catalan coach is aware of the importance of leaving the European debacle behind and returning to the path of victory, recovering the sensations that the Barça team had before facing Bayern Munich.

And it is that the main objective that Barça will have in Mestalla will be to resemble as much as possible the team that resoundingly beat Villarreal and Athletic and distance itself a lot from the one that lost to Bayern. Against the Germans, Xavi’s men finished the clash without a single shot between the three posts of the goal defended by Ulreich and with the feeling of being, once again, a fragile team in both areas. That image must change immediately if the Catalans want to fight for the titles that are still at stake.

To get out of this pothole, Xavi will be able to count on all his players except for the injured Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Memphis Depay. All these absences will condition an eleven in which the Tarrasa coach could include new features to appease the impact generated by the crush of matches in October and to give new life to a team emotionally affected. Eric García could return to the rear, Gavi in ​​midfield and Ansu Fati and Raphinha could be in the game instead of Dembélé, who did not have his best night against Bayern.

An opponent in need

It will not be an easy game for Barcelona. This season, Valencia has shown signs of being a team that is clearly improving and that, since the arrival of Gennaro Gattuso, has managed to be a much more balanced team that is difficult to get their hands on. Valencia arrives at the clash against the Blaugrana, yes, immersed in a streak that has led them to add three consecutive games without winning, so they need three points that allow them to regain sensations and approach once and for all the positions they give access to European competitions.

To achieve this victory in front of their fans, the players led by Gattuso will have to overcome the absence of several important players in the Valencian squad. Diakhaby and Samu Castillejo join the casualties due to injury to Jaume Doménech and Comert and will not be able to be in the game, as will Yunus Musah, sanctioned for accumulating warnings, and Nico, who will not be able to be lined up due to the fear clause imposed by the Barcelona. These casualties will modify Gattuso’s plan, which could bet on an eleven with five defenders, Hugo Guillamón in midfield and Samuel Lino and Justin Kluivert as attacking squires to accompany Edinson Cavani.