Focus returns to La Liga after success in the Copa del Rey and the 3-3 draw in midweek at the Estadi Olímpic against Internazionale in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. There are five games remaining for the blauganes in the league and the first of those is against Valladolid in the José Zorrilla stadium on Saturday, kick off 9pm CEST.
Possible rotations for Hansi Flick
Barça cannot afford to take this game lightly even though Valladolid are bottom of the table with just 16 points and are already relegated back to the Segunda División only a year after promotion. With the return of the Champions League tie in Milan coming up on Tuesday and a league showdown with Real Madrid next weekend, everything points to possible changes in the starting line up.
In his press conference on Friday coach Hansi Flick announced that goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen would start in the José Zorrilla, his first appearance since returning from a long term knee injury. A victory is of paramount importance for the blaugranes if they wish to maintain their four point lead in the table over Real Madrid before next weekend’s Clásico in the Estadi Olímpic.
Good results Valladolid
The game between the two side at Montjuïc in the league back in August saw Barça take a resounding 7-0 win. In Valladolid the blaugranes have a good record in recent seasons despite losing 3-1 with the league title already secured on their last visit back in week 36 of the 2022/23 season. That was just the second defeat for Barça in their last 10 visits to Valladolid, seven of which have ended in victory for the blaugranes.
Raúl Moro, main threat
Valladolid’s main threats up front are Raúl Moro with four goals and three assists this season and Mamadou Sylla who has five goals and two assists. The home side will be without the injured Aidoo, Henrique, Kenedy and Javi Sánchez whilst Barça can add Jules Kounde to the list of absentees through injury that contains Casadó, Bernal, Balde and Lewandowski.
