A Valencia side featuring new faces

First international break of the season over, Barça are set to return to competitive action in the upcoming LaLiga matchday four fixture, as Hansa Flick and the squad host Valencia this weekend (kick-off 9.00pm CEST 14 September). Recent games against Valencia have gone well for the blaugranas, but what shape are Valencia in and what differences are there to last season?

Four points from nine

Valencia have earned four points from the nine available so far this season and are currently in ninth place. Carlos Corberán's side claimed their first victory last time out, overcoming Getafe 3-0, having drawn the first match against Real Sociedad (1-1) and losing in Pamplona against Osasuna after playing a lot of the game at a numerical disadvantage (1-0).

Many new signings

Summer saw lots of moves in the transfer market for Valencia, who have replaced a lot of the squad, with changes to every line. The most notable departure at the back was keeper Mamardashvili, who has left for Liverpool. Julen Agirrezabala is his replacement, arriving on loan from Athletic Club to become the starting number one.

In defence, Mosquera notably went to Arsenal in what was a significant loss. The new centre back pairing is Tàrrega and Diakhaby, and they signed Copete from Mallorca to offset Mosquera's departure. There have also been changes to midfield, with Guillamón leaving and Baptiste Santamaría joining, who started against Getafe for the first time.

And when it comes to the attack, Danjuma, Dani Raba and Ramazani have all come in, while Sadiq and Rafa Mir have left. Changes apart, Valencia still have key players such as Gayà, Foulquier, Javi Guerra, Hugo Duro and Diego López, among others.

A good opponent for Barça recently

Looking back at recent meetings between Barça and Valencia, the blaugranes have very much come out on top. They played three times last season (LaLiga and Copa del Rey) and FC Barcelona won all three games. The first was the matchday one LaLiga game, which Barça won 1-2, while the other two were big wins, 7-1 and 0-5 in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey respectively. In fact, you have to go back to January 2020 to find the last time the blaugranes lost to Valencia. Let's hope the run continues!

 

More news here