Barcelona will look to capitalise on the momentum of their thrilling Champions League triumph over Benfica as they face an improving Valencia side on Sunday in La Liga.
The Catalan giants have endured a dismal domestic run, securing just one win in their last eight league matches and slipping seven points behind leaders Real Madrid. Their opponents, Valencia, have shown marked improvement under new head coach Carlos Corberan, who took over on Christmas Day.
Valencia’s recent resurgence includes an impressive 1-0 victory against Real Sociedad last weekend, lifting them off the bottom of the table to 19th place, four points from safety. Corberan’s influence was evident as his side narrowly lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in his debut match and advanced to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, where they will face Barcelona.
The team’s defensive discipline will be crucial against a Barcelona side that has struggled to convert their attacking prowess into league success. Barca’s recent league outing ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Getafe, a match where Hansi Flick’s side struggled to break down a low-block defence. Valencia are expected to adopt a similar approach.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick emphasized the need to address defensive lapses, which could be exploited by Valencia. La Liga’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski, who netted twice from the penalty spot midweek, has only managed one goal in his last five league matches. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, often a key creative outlet, was effectively neutralised by Getafe and will face a similar challenge against Valencia’s disciplined defence.
Valencia coach Corberan remains optimistic about his team’s progress, stating, “The team is growing in personality, dedication, and commitment. We must consolidate these improvements.” Valencia have been relegated only once in their history, in 1986, and will hope to secure a crucial point at Camp Nou to aid their survival battle.
Although playing for Atletico Madrid, Julian Alvarez’s recent form has drawn attention. The former Manchester City forward scored twice in the Champions League midweek and has formed a formidable partnership with Antoine Griezmann, bolstering Atletico’s title aspirations.
Key La Liga Stats
- Raphinha (Barcelona): 22 goals this season, a career-best.
- Lucas Torro (Osasuna): Most fouls in La Liga with 48.
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): 75 shots, the league’s highest.
La Liga Weekend Fixtures (All times GMT)
Friday: Las Palmas v Osasuna (20:00)
Saturday: Mallorca v Real Betis (13:00), Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (15:15), Sevilla v Espanyol (17:30), Valladolid v Real Madrid (20:00)
Sunday: Rayo Vallecano v Girona (13:00), Real Sociedad v Getafe (15:15), Athletic Bilbao v Leganes (17:30), Barcelona v Valencia (20:00)
Monday: Alaves v Celta Vigo (20:00)
