Exploit the deep and other keys of Valencia-Barça of the Copa del Rey

After cutting points in the league, a cup shift in a month of February somewhat more rested for Barça. The Barca team will face Valencia again, but this time in the always complicated Mestalla. The League meeting was very favorable but the Valencianists will have learned the lesson. Here my keys to a game of all or nothing:

1. The continuity of Szczesny and the presence of Ferran

In the goal debate, Hansi Flick has opted for Szczesny definitively. The coach himself confirmed yesterday at a press conference that the Polish goalkeeper will start again tonight. A continuity that shows that, although recent performances have left some doubts, Flick is looking for the best version of Szczcesny causing him to have every minutes of competition.

But to return the deposited confidence it is essential that the goalkeeper give signals of improvement in his benefits in each party. Today is an important encounter for him, because everyone was waiting for Iñaki Peña under sticks before the statements of the Barca coach. Another that will surely have a position in the eleven is Ferran Torres. The attacker is performing very well in recent games and will return to the place from which he left.

2nd of Jong and Eric García

The two big names of the encounter against Alavés were that of the Dutch and the Canterano. With its entrance, Barça improved its benefits in the attacks considerably. Jong’s evolution in the machine room is evident. He is better understanding what Flick wants from him and is applying it. Since the positional advantage that gives the mid -center position, he is going down less to receive, he is playing less touches and is better selecting his conduits. Before Alavés signed a 41 of 41 in passes.

In the case of the central, the meeting made it clear that, in contexts in which Barça has to fully assume the creation of the game, its ability to filter passes and its conductions to access rival field are an extra for the team with respect to the presence of Araujo (which has many other virtues). The two will be almost certain holders.

3. Exploit depth

Barça will have to take advantage of the step forward that Valencia will have to give at home, perhaps not permanently but will leave spaces behind the defense at many times. And that is where the Barca strikers will have to break the space in the direction of goal. We will see what choice does Flick make for the offensive line, but it is very possible that Ferran Torres and maybe Pau Victor has prominence. Both Raphinha and the Valencian are very good by pulling unchecks and the team has to find them.

4. The entrance to the party and the final management

Another important issue will be the first minutes of the tie. We must not forget that the Barca team has had some entries to the game improvable this season (Leganés, Las Palmas …). The fact that it is a party of all or nothing gives more value to Barça comes out with the appropriate activation so as not to be conditioned in the first section of the party favoring the rival approach.

On the other hand, if the Barca team manages to put ahead on the scoreboard, it will be important that it does not pass the last minutes of the match near its goal in order to defend a hypothetical superiority in the electronic. Before Celta and, above all, before Betis it was seen that, despite not generating much danger, it is not a good practice to let the adversary regularly play in the final third field. Any rejection or side center can generate difficulties.

5. Sadiq and Gayá’s climb

We do not know exactly how Valencia will face the meeting. His war is clearly in the League, but it is about to see the approach that Carlos Corberán will give him. Be that as it may, it is very possible that Umar Sadiq starts at the tip of the Valencian attack. The striker, a very large offensive potential, wants to recover his best version. Corpulent attacker but also with the ability to uncheck in the spaces, good handling of the body and easy auction, it will be a touchstone for the Barca rear tonight.

It is not certain that it starts from starting or that comes out in the second game, but when Valencia plays at home the climbs on the left of José Luis Gayá are one of the most important offensive weapons. It is not to insist much on the apparitions to the bottom line but select well. And when it arrives it has a good foot to put very good centers. Barça will have to be attentive to be close to him when unfolding on the outside.