Why Barcelona should fear potential 2012 Copa del Rey finalists Valencia
By Angela Asante, February 1 2012,
soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles
Valencia possess the power to punish inconsistent Barcelona in the semis of the 2011/12 Copa del Rey. Will Los Che satisfy the fuming fans of quarter-final victims Real Madrid?One of the major problems at Barca presently is that Pep Guardiola is facing severe squad setbacks. As if it wasn’t enough to lose David Villa to a long-term injury, the manager will have to deal with the absence of Pedro Rodgriguez, Andreu Fontas, Ibrahim Affelay and key man Andres Iniesta.
As Barcelona’s injury list grows, it looks like their chances of ending the year successfully on the domestic front are decreasing. For now, let’s not talk about the Catalans’ situation in La Liga where they've lost 13 points in 10 matches away from home. In the Copa del Rey, Barcelona could find immense comfort; that is, if Valencia don’t put an end to their hunt.“We are not getting the balance of last year,” Dani Alves admitted following his side’s disappointing goalless draw away to Villarreal last weekend. One of the many questions is whether Barca can overcome the away ground factor and punish Valencia for their poor passing game.The 2011 Copa del Rey runners-up will be facing a confident Valencia team. Los Che claim to have the psychological advantage over Barcelona as Unai Emery insisted after his team’s 7-1 aggregate demolition of Levante in the quarter-finals:“Yes, it will be hard. But we can do it. We will try. In terms of motivation, yes, we will be favorites.”Valencia have suffered under the Catalans’ rope at several occasions during the past years, but this season’s Copa del Rey semi-final tie could produce something different.....
By Angela Asante, February 1 2012,
soccer news, football news, football articles, football articles
Valencia possess the power to punish inconsistent Barcelona in the semis of the 2011/12 Copa del Rey. Will Los Che satisfy the fuming fans of quarter-final victims Real Madrid?One of the major problems at Barca presently is that Pep Guardiola is facing severe squad setbacks. As if it wasn’t enough to lose David Villa to a long-term injury, the manager will have to deal with the absence of Pedro Rodgriguez, Andreu Fontas, Ibrahim Affelay and key man Andres Iniesta.
As Barcelona’s injury list grows, it looks like their chances of ending the year successfully on the domestic front are decreasing. For now, let’s not talk about the Catalans’ situation in La Liga where they've lost 13 points in 10 matches away from home. In the Copa del Rey, Barcelona could find immense comfort; that is, if Valencia don’t put an end to their hunt.“We are not getting the balance of last year,” Dani Alves admitted following his side’s disappointing goalless draw away to Villarreal last weekend. One of the many questions is whether Barca can overcome the away ground factor and punish Valencia for their poor passing game.The 2011 Copa del Rey runners-up will be facing a confident Valencia team. Los Che claim to have the psychological advantage over Barcelona as Unai Emery insisted after his team’s 7-1 aggregate demolition of Levante in the quarter-finals:“Yes, it will be hard. But we can do it. We will try. In terms of motivation, yes, we will be favorites.”Valencia have suffered under the Catalans’ rope at several occasions during the past years, but this season’s Copa del Rey semi-final tie could produce something different.....
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