PBP: Copa del Rey - Semifinal, 2nd Leg | Valencia CF v FC Barcelona | 8 February 2018 [R]

No doubt: First goal will be crucial.

 

Players entering with two yellow cards would miss the Final if booked in this game.

FCB: Alba, Suarez

VCF: Kondogbia, Guedes, Mina, Pereira, Vezo

 

Mestalla, in the 70s and today.

 

Probably one of the most important games of the season for Barça.

 

We'll get a better idea of what Valverde considers his very best lineup, after the recent signings, albeit just a sub on if that for Dembele who has returned to training but not, I don't believe, medically cleared in full.

I could wait for the squad list but I think it'll be
Jasper;
Roberto-Pique-Umtiti-Alba
Raki-Busi
Ini-Couti
Messi-Suarez

The shape may vary, but I think those 11 start this one. BARRING Injuries, I know Pique is a risk, which brings to mind whether Vermaelen be cleared or if we might see the first of Mina starts. https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/gerard-piques-injury-not-as-bad-as-first-feared-6601957

 

Mina certainly won't start, Vermaelen and umtiti will play and alba and Roberto. Midfield I believe will be Coutinho Iniesta Busquets and Paulinho unless Valverde has a surprise. I see mina getting minutes against Getafe.

 

Mina is the natural replacement of Pique though, if I'm not mistaken.

 

I love his game but Barca is a high pressure club. He has to be brave and smart at the same time

 

Well we have Umtiti healthy and available in Copa (but missing next Liga match with Yellow Card accumulation). If Pique is healthy he will play, but we certainly don't want to risk him if he could get hurt worse, some reports suggest he could miss as much as a month. Vermaelen has not yet been cleared after getting injured around January 21st - though initial reports suggested he might only miss a couple weeks.

So Thursday we may only have Umtiti and Mina, and Sunday we may only have Mina. Among all our first teamers.

http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/05/champions-league-chelsea-gets-major-boost-ahead-barcelona-clash/

 

Time to see what Yerry can do!!

 

Marca's 5 CB candidates to start next to Umtiti (it leaves off Costas from Barca B, who was just added to our CL eligible list along with Arnaiz and Mina):

Gerard Pique
Even though he has a knee injury, Pique might push through the pain in order to play this crucial match. This, though, must be considered very unlikely.

Sergio Busquets
The midfielder can drop back into the back four in case of emergency.

Lucas Digne
Converting Lucas Digne into a centre-back for an all-French central defensive partnership is another option, with Luis Enrique having played the left-back in the middle on occasion.

Thomas Vermaelen
If the Belgian is given the medical all-clear in time then he might be Valverde's most logical option, with the coach trusting the experienced centre-back.

Yerry Mina
If Pique and Vermaelen do miss out then Mina will be the only other natural centre-back and it would make sense for him to play.

My take is we need Busi at DM, so unless Pique or more likely Vermaelen can play, we should start Mina, with Costas on the bench. I don't recall Digne at CB, under Lucho, I guess it is another option but hopefully Mina hasn't looked like a fish out of water in practice to prompt such ideas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Costas

 

Pique not 100% ruled out, more tests today, and then they decide if he makes the squad list or not. https://www.sport-english.com/en/ne...est-to-see-if-he-can-play-at-mestalla-6607670

And now he has in fact made the squad list:

So I have not read if Pique was actually cleared or just made the squad list in hopes he'd be cleared but all signs point to him being able to play as David Costas from Barca B not named to squad, Digne not named to squad, so if Pique could not go we only have Umtiti and Mina period, and the chance of shifting Busi back there in an emergency (with Raki or Roberto or god forbid Gomes taking DM).

So I am sticking with my first prediction, not saying exactly this shape but similar:

Jasper;
Roberto-Pique-Umtiti-Alba
Raki-Busi
Ini-Couti
Messi-Suarez

 

After passing a final test under the watchful eye of Dr. Ricard Pruna, Gerard Pique was included in the Barcelona squad list to face Valencia in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

The sudden recovery, after two days with much concern about the physical state of the defender, has surprised everyone.

On Monday and Tuesday the messages were pessimistic, although the staff and doctors didn't notice a serious injury.

But on Wednesday, especially in the afternoon, things were different.

So much so, that Valverde called him into his list of 18 players.

The full Barcelona squad to travel to Valencia is:
Ter Stegen, Cillessen, Sergi Roberto, Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Yerry Mina, Jordi Alba, Aleix Vidal, Busquets, Rakitic, Paulinho, Andre Gomes, Iniesta, Coutinho, Suarez, Messi and Alcacer.

Dembele and Vermaelen are injured whilst Denis Suarez and Lucas Digne have been left out by the coach. (Digne did break a finger on the weekend but could still have played).

 

Marca suggests Pique starts, and that Paulinho starts in place of Coutinho, which is all good:

 

Ready #CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/d7zSMmS6ve

— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) February 8, 2018

 

Two hours to kickoff and the supporters of Los Che sound ready outside the Mestalla. Should be quite an atmosphere. (Wasn't Messi struck with a coin or bottle a few years ago while celebrating a very late Busquets winner?)

#LaCopa | La afición del @valenciacf ruge a dos horas del partido ante el Barça #fcblive pic.twitter.com/XtrgBjpqql

— Diario SPORT (@sport) February 8, 2018

🎥 L’ambient de Mestalla dues hores abans del partit amb crits de “ser del Barça es ser un subnormal” #frac1 pic.twitter.com/LqsGp9CJ1e

— El Barça juga a RAC1 (@FCBRAC1) February 8, 2018

"Ready" should be the theme of this thread.

 

Barca team bus greeted upon arrival at Mestalla.

VÍDEO. L'afició del València rep amb xiulets i insults l'expedició del Barça a Mestalla. #latdp #fcblive pic.twitter.com/aV3yztlmCg

— LaTdT (@LaTdT) February 8, 2018

🔵🔴 Mestalla rep el @FCBarcelona_cat amb xiulets i crits. S'escalfa l'ambient. En joc, un bitllet per a la final de #CopaE3 pic.twitter.com/neR8lEm5ne

— Esport3 (@esport3) February 8, 2018

 

The first goal will have a crucial impact on the atmosphere in the stadium.

 

Valencia team bus arrival. (Yes, I'm bored. But these scenes are getting me stoked for the game!)

#LaCopa | Llega el Valencia. Locura total y colectiva en Mestalla #fcblive pic.twitter.com/0Pbq1J9tUo

— Diario SPORT (@sport) February 8, 2018

 

Good lord, why? I mean it's our grand once minus MAtS (a given in Copa), Dembele (injured and not a proven grand once starter anyway, even more so with arrival of Coutinho and play of Paulinho since arrival), but also minus both those Brazilians, in favor of Gomesh???? Why????

Jasper
Pique-Umtiti
Roberto-Busi-Alba
Gomes-Raki-Ini
------Messi
---------Suarez

Again, I don't want to sound like a broken record, but if Paulinho is healthy he gives us what Gomes might, plus he scores goals and has a knack from breaking between lines, being in the right position, and plays better defense. Or if we want more skill and technique and free play / ability to beat off the dribble, Coutinho. Or if both those Brazilians sit, I'd understand Vidal providing width and crosses and defensive hustle from the right wing. I'd understand Paco starting next to Suarez and in front of Messi. But what does Gomes bring to the table?

 

Ready @LaTdP ⚽️🎤 pic.twitter.com/uRW2fFyiLm

— Marta Carreras (@MartaCarreras_) February 8, 2018

 

Come on Barca

 

Neither Paulinho nor Coutinho starting. Instead.... Gomes!??

Wow! That's risky!