Overview
Barcelona will try to regain their winning streak in La Liga when continuing the 2025-2026 campaign by hosting Valencia. Blaugrana are fourth in the table with 7 points before the fourth round, while Valencia is 9th.
This match was originally scheduled to be the inauguration event of the new Camp Nou stadium, but due to the delay, Barcelona will host Valencia at Johan Cruyff Stadium. This stadium has a capacity of only 6,000 seats.
Johan Cruyff is a familiar "performance" of Team B and Barcelona women's team. However, this weekend, Johan Cruyff will make history as the smallest stadium to ever host a La Liga match.
However, coach Hansi Flick and his team must eliminate all sideline factors to focus on returning to the winning track. They had a disappointing 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano in the previous round.
Before that, the reigning La Liga champions started the season with 2 wins against Mallorca and Levante, scoring 6 goals. However, the comeback from being behind by 2 goals against Levante and poor form against Rayo showed that Barcelona still have a lot of work to do.
Meanwhile, Valencia started the La Liga campaign with a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad, before losing 0-1 to Osasuna in the second round.
However, Los Che regained their spirit with an impressive performance, defeating Getafe 3-0 at Mestalla in the most recent match.
Under the leadership of coach Carlos Corberan, Valencia only finished in 12th place last season. Therefore, this team still has many things to improve, especially after a busy transfer period with 8 new players brought in.
The history of confrontations does not support Los Che. In 230 encounters with Barcelona in all competitions, Valencia have only won 59 and lost all 4 recent matches, conceding 18 goals.
Last season, Barcelona crushed Valencia 7-1 at home. Notably, Los Che have not beaten the Catalan giants away from home in La Liga since April 2016.
Personnel situation
Barcelona will not have the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Alejandro Balde and Frenkie de Jong in the match this weekend. Therefore, Hansi Flick will face many limitations in arranging the midfield.
Lamine Yamal continues to be out due to a groin injury, opening up an opportunity for Fermin Lopez to join the starting lineup.
Marc Casado is likely to start alongside Pedri, while Dani Olmo will take on the No. 10 role. Up front, Ferran Torres is expected to continue leading, as Barcelona are still cautious about Robert Lewandowski's fitness after a hamstring injury.
In defense, Hansi Flick could rotate as both Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin are competing for a starting position.
On the Valencia side, Javi Guerra's future remains a topic of discussion, despite his contract extension in the summer of 2025. The midfielder is expected to continue to be in the Valencia starting lineup.
The away team has a big advantage when there is no loss in terms of force. Arnaut Danjuma and Diego Lopez will join the attack, while captain Jose Gaya will definitely attack the left wing of the defense.
Expected lineup:
Barcelona: J. Garcia, Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Pedri, Casado, F. Lopez, Olmo, Raphinha, Torres.
Valencia: Agirrezabala, tarrega, Diakhaby, Copete, Foulquier, Guerra, Santamaria, Gaya, Lopez, Danjuma, Rioja.
The match between Barcelona and Valencia takes place at 2:00 am on September 15 (Vietnam time).
