Barcelona aren’t a side used to playing catch-up in recent seasons, yet with six matches of the Primera Division campaign passed the Camp Nou side lie fourth in the standings, having already slipped in home matches against Hercules and Mallorca. On Saturday evening, Pep Guardiola’s men face their sternest examination of the season to date when they have to meet Valencia.
Under the watchful gaze of the cules, la Blaugrana are aware that they cannot drop much further from the early season pace. Real Madrid already have a one point advantage over the champions, while los Che would go six points clear of Barca if they were to record a shock victory at Camp Nou.
“We cannot lose any more points at home, and we must defeat Valencia,” Adriano has rallied in the press this week, while Xavi has indicated that the squad still have faith in Guardiola’s ability to lift Barcelona into their now customary position at the summit of the league.
“I believe in Pep. He is a committed, meticulous, enthusiastic person,” the midfielder, who missed Spain’s most recent international matches due to injury, explained to UEFA.com. “Pep knows what he has to do, how the players feel and the pressure they are under. He is exactly the right man for the job.”
After the previous international break, Hercules took advantage of Barca seemingly contracting a dose of the ‘FIFA virus’ to pick up maximum points, and Guardiola has a mediocre record of getting the best from his players following international breaks, winning only three of ten fixtures coming back from such disruptions.
A difficult evening awaits on Saturday.
Acid Test
The sale of players such as David Villa, who of course moved to Barcelona, and David Silva in the summer was supposed to have sufficiently weakened Valencia to prevent them seriously challenging Spain’s elite this season, some pundits suggested. To the contrary, los Che have come into the season hungry to prove a point and have dropped only two marks through their opening six encounters.
A draw against Atletico Madrid has been their only blip to date, though Unai Emery’s unit haven’t necessarily faced any other of the league’s elite sides prior to Saturday’s trip to Barcelona. A host of light and middleweights have been dismissed, but tests such as the weekend’s will act as the real test for the Mestalla club, offensive midfielder Alejandro Dominguez has argued.
“This will be a match between two great teams, and one in which Valencia can check the level that we are at currently,” the Argentine told the media. “We hope to put on a good show. If we get the three points, many will believe that we can win the league.
“It will be very important that we be smart, but it would be nice to win at Barcelona. The game motivates me, and I think it does for my colleagues too.”
Victory on Saturday would certainly send out a clear message not just around Spain, but around Europe also. This has the potential to be a watershed match.
Barcelona
David Villa is set to be given the green light to feature at the weekend after suffering from a knee problem against Scotland in midweek while playing for Spain. Xavi’s presence is not certain either, while Pedro is recovering from the hamstring tear he suffered against Mallorca.
Pep Guardiola was left with just seven first team players to train in the early stages of the week due to the international commitments of his squad. Of these players, Gabriel Milito has suffered from an adductor problem.
Valencia
Miguel has been ruled out due to a muscular problem, and winger Joaquin will also be sidelined. The Spaniard has an ankle sprain and will be absent for two weeks, ruling him out of the Champions League fixture away to Rangers in midweek. Mehmet Topal is also missing, though he is expected back imminently.
Marius Stankevicius missed training on Wednesday due to gastroenteritis but should be fit to take his spot in the side if required.
Prediction
Barcelona have not been especially good following international breaks, and against opponents as accomplished as Valencia that could be dangerous. Valencia, for all their wins early in the season, haven’t proven themselves against a really top side, and this is certainly a great chance to silence their critics. But there will be no complacency shown by the home team, allowing them to edge to three valuable points.
Barcelona 2-1 Valencia 
