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Why Barcelona should fear potential 2012 Copa del Rey finalists Valencia

Angela Asante, February 1 2012,
Valencia possess the power to punish inconsistent Barcelona in the semis of the 2011/12 Copa del Rey. Will Los Che satisfy the fuming fans of quarter-final victims Real Madrid?
The last time Valencia and Barcelona played, both teams ended the match as they started it: on level terms. It finished 2-2.
The last time Valencia and Barcelona played, both teams ended the match as they started it: on level terms. It finished 2-2.
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Related Articles: Valencia, Barcelona, Copa del Rey, Lionel Messi, Real Madrid
One of the major problems at Barca presently is that Pep Guardiola is facing severe squad setbacks. As if it wasn’t enough to lose David Villa to a long-term injury, the manager will have to deal with the absence of Pedro Rodgriguez, Andreu Fontas, Ibrahim Affelay and key man Andres Iniesta.

As Barcelona’s injury list grows, it looks like their chances of ending the year successfully on the domestic front are decreasing. For now, let’s not talk about the Catalans’ situation in La Liga where they've lost 13 points in 10 matches away from home. In the Copa del Rey, Barcelona could find immense comfort; that is, if Valencia don’t put an end to their hunt.

“We are not getting the balance of last year,” Dani Alves admitted following his side’s disappointing goalless draw away to Villarreal last weekend. One of the many questions is whether Barca can overcome the away ground factor and punish Valencia for their poor passing game.

The 2011 Copa del Rey runners-up will be facing a confident Valencia team. Los Che claim to have the psychological advantage over Barcelona as Unai Emery insisted after his team’s 7-1 aggregate demolition of Levante in the quarter-finals:

“Yes, it will be hard. But we can do it. We will try. In terms of motivation, yes, we will be favorites.”

Valencia have suffered under the Catalans’ rope at several occasions during the past years, but this season’s Copa del Rey semi-final tie could produce something different. Los Che are facing two possibilities:

A very probable one is that they’ll be hit by Barcelona’s hungry desire of bouncing back. The Catalans’ reaction in moments like this is well known by all. Three-time FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi rises to the challenge and humiliates defenders at Barca's benefit.

The other prospect is that Valencia will take advantage of Barcelona’s weaknesses and prevail in the semi-finals. After firing Los Che into the semis past Levante, striker Pablo Piatti has reserved himself the right to target this possibility.

“I have no doubt we can beat Barcelona. The team is passionate and we are looking forward to it,” Piatti declared according to AS.

“They will be two very complicated matches and we will need great effort, but we will try to use all our weapons.”

Los Che seem ready to fight until their last drop of blood. They have no Messi or Xavi in their team but football is not played on paper only and their aim is to exhibit mental power.

In the quarter-finals of the 2011/12 Copa del Rey, Los Blancos proved that a result at the Camp Nou is possible. It’s down to Valencia to study the quarter-final two-legged tie between Barcelona and Real Madrid and to make the most of it.

Los Blancos have given clues to Los Che on how to approach Barcelona. Valencia could as well return this favor by preventing the Catalans from snatching Real Madrid’s title as Copa del Rey champions.

Is it safe to bet on a repeat of the 2009 Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao when the Mestalla Stadium witnessed a triumph for the Blaugrana?

Wait a minute. The spirit of the 2008 Copa del Rey semi-final tie against Barcelona is perhaps not dead. This spirit carries a historical win for Los Che which preceded a victory in the final over Getafe. Four years after this sweet feat, can Valencia revive the demons that consumed Barcelona?

An ambitious Messi answered: “Barcelona never surrender. […] Now we have to focus on the Copa del Rey match [against Valencia] and we will have to do things well to try to be in the final.”

Valencia vs Barcelona

Date: Wednesday, 1 Feb 2012
Time: 15:00 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: Spain Copa del Rey
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Estadio de Mestalla (Valencia)

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