After two frenetic weeks in which they were eliminated from the Champions League, said goodbye to the fight for the League at the Bernabéu and confirmed the continuity of Xavi Hernández who will continue until 2025, Barcelona is measured on a rainy Monday in a slightly operational Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys against a Valencia that looks to Europe.
Without titles at stake, Barça has to react immediately to secure second position, which would ensure it compete in the Spanish Super Cup, and begin to build the team for next year. The last casting begins so that the footballers can vindicate themselves.
Without Gavi or Balde, who were injured for a long time, and without Frenkie de Jong, who suffered a sprained right ankle during the match against Real Madrid, Xavi opted for an eleven without too many inventions and with only one novelty: Fermín enters the starting team in place of Pedri, who has been managing his burdens and annoyances this week.
FC Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Christensen, Fermin, Gundogan; Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha.
For its part, Valencia continues immersed in its dream of reaching continental positions and returning to Europe more than four years later, although to do so it needs to take advantage of the turbulent week that Barça has experienced.
Without José Luis Gayà and Roman Yaremchuk, who are facing the final stretch of their respective muscle injuries, Rubén Baraja’s team needs to add three by three again after losing in a direct duel against Real Betis last matchday, although they have eight years without a victory away from Barcelona.
The Eleventh of Valencia: Mamardashvili; Thierry, Mosquera, Yarek, Jesus Vazquez; Diego Lopez, Pepelu, Javi War, Peter; André Almeida and Hugo Duro.