
It’s the second-leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final clash between Valencia and Barcelona tonight.
The tie is finely poised after the Catalan side edged the opening encounter 1-0 at the Camp Nou.
It’s been a difficult few days for Valencia. Including tonight’s game they’ll have played Barca twice plus both Madrid sides in their last four matches.
And after losing their last three, it seems their brilliant start to the campaign is starting to ebb away.
Barcelona have the upper hand, and under Ernesto Valverde have proven mightily difficult to break down.
Luis Suarez netted the only goal of the first leg in the 67th minute, and a similar cautious start awaits tonight.
Valencia must score, but it would be unwise to go all out against Barca early on and leave themselves exposed.
Barcelona have been excellent away from home this season. Their 1-0 loss to Espanyol in the previous round of this competition has been their only defeat on their travels.
They’re arguably a more organised and are better defensively than their heyday under Pep Guardiola, and it’s showing in their away matches.
They’ve already kept 11 clean sheets away from the Camp Nou.
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