It’s been an incredible week for the Catalans and their talisman, Lionel Messi. What else could they ask for? This month’s international break apparently did Barca a lot of good. They completely destroyed Sevilla last weekend with La Pulga netting a hat-trick to become La Liga’s all-time topscorer in style.
Still hungry for more, Luis Enrique’s men went on to take full advantage of underdogs APOEL Nicosia in the UEFA Champions League. Messi scored another hat-trick, breaking Raul’s 71-goal record in the process.
Los Che could be Barcelona’s next victims. At the end of Matchday 12 in La Liga, the Blaugrana were two points behind current league leaders Real Madrid. Valencia fell down to fourth with 24 points following their disappointing 2-1 defeat away to thirteenth-placed Levante.
Defender Jeremy Mathieu will be confident of making a good return to the Mestalla stadium where he spent five seasons and never tasted victory in six games against Barca.
However, the last couple of clashes between both teams in Valencia have proven to be tight. In February last year, Ever Banega and Messi both scored first-half goals and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. In September, last season, the scenario was different but remarkably stunning. Portuguese striker Postiga hit a brace but La Pulga had already done better with a first-half hat-trick. The match ended 3-2.
The last time Valencia met Barcelona was at the Camp Nou and they shocked the hosts by winning a five-goal thriller. There could be more goals and more thrills this Sunday. It’s definitely a match you cannot miss.
Valencia vs. Barcelona team sheets
Valencia starting XI: Alves; Barragán, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gayà; Fuego, André, Parejo, Feghouli; Negredo, Rodrigo
Barcelona starting XI: Bravo; Alves, Piqué, Mathieu, Alba; Mascherano, Busquets, Xavi, Neymar, Messi, Luis Suárez
Barcelona bench: Ter Stegen, Bartra, Adriano, Rakitic, Rafinha, Pedro, Munir
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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