PBP: Copa del Rey - Semifinal, 1st Leg | FC Barcelona v Valencia CF | 1 February 2018 [R]

Another cool Copa stat, one we have already accomplished unlike any other team: 8 - Barcelona are the first team in Copa del Rey history to reach eight consecutive semi-finals. Kingdom. - from OptaJose's twitter


So the big news is no Coutinho, no Paulinho, instead ALEIX, and I kinda like it. Can see him playing true right wing, keeping the width, overlapping a bit with Roberto, also tracking back to help on right side D, so Rakitic can stay closer to Busi in Valverde's 1.5 pivote (mainly when other team is using high pressure against us). Not what I was expecting but he was great in his last start (took 2nd in the MOTM ranking on our site), delivered some sumptuous crosses. And we still have Coutinho and Paulinho on the bench, maybe get a Mina sub too if things are going well. I'd also like to see PACO get some time against Valencia.

JASPER CILLESSEN (keep a clean sheet please)
Roberto-Pique-Umtiti-Alba
-------Raki----Busi
Vidal ---------Iniesta
-------Messi
--------------Suarez

more than just 4-3-3
Roberto-Pique-Umtiti-Alba
Raki-Busi-Ini
Vidal-Messi-Suarez

Substitutes: 1. Ter Stegen 6. Denis 14. Coutinho 15. Paulinho 17. Paco Alcácer 19. Digne 24. Yerry Mina

 

5 goal lead from first leg, then we can relax for second leg

 

Lots of possession but no dangerous chances . . .they're getting 8 of 10 outfield players behind the ball in two banks of four very quickly.

 

Valencia keeping their shape well. We haven't even come close to penetrating their back 8!

 

Messi's passing is so effortless.

 

Poor attendance today, judging from the TV.

 

I'll take it but we need to get that first goal first. Clean sheet above all else. Then a goal or more.

 

Damn! Double-decker bus is parked. Might have to rely on a set-piece or some Messi magic to break through...

 

I wish we would take chances and shoot instead of passing...

 

It's weird to be so dominant and yet we don't really look like scoring.

 

7 corners 7 wasted

 

Sergi Roberto could have seen red for that one.

 

Vidal has 5 minutes to look somewhat useful, or else should bring Coutinho on at HT.

 

Valencia will, I hope, tire out from all the defending they are doing. I think that is why this is happening this season:

Various coaches have said in recent weeks that Barça's idea is to tire rivals in the first half and to then take them apart in the second period. The statistics confirm that idea. https://www.sport-english.com/en/ne...-the-second-half-kings-under-valverde-6592855

 

I think Vidal has done well this half; but I agree that he's the player to pull if you want Coutinho in.

Oh Suarez . . .

 

Holy crap guys.

 

HT: 0-0.

 

Valencia should get tired at some point.

 

If Valencia get an away goal we will be in major trouble! Its going to be tough enough to win even with a clean sheet.

 

The only full section appears to be the one with the Valencia fans standing in it.

They really should make away sections bigger in Spain, especially if the demand is there.

 

Valencia seeing alot more the ball now. #notgettingtired