Valencia vs Barcelona; A High-Stakes Copa del Rey Quarter-Final Showdown

2025-03-01

Valencia and Barcelona are set to face off in a highly anticipated Copa del Rey quarter-final clash on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Mestalla. The match comes just weeks after Barcelona thrashed Valencia 7-1 in a La Liga encounter at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Despite the recent lopsided result, both teams are expected to approach this cup tie with intensity, as a spot in the semi-finals is at stake.

Valencia, currently battling relegation in La Liga, have shown signs of improvement under new manager Carlos Corberán. The team has won four of their last seven matches, including a narrow 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo last weekend. However, their recent heavy defeat to Barcelona serves as a stark reminder of the challenge they face. Valencia will rely on home advantage and the support of their passionate fans to turn the tide, but they remain without key players like Thierry Correia, who is sidelined with an ACL injury.

Barcelona, on the other hand, are in strong form, having gone nine games unbeaten across all competitions. Under manager Hansi Flick, the team has secured their place in the Champions League last 16 and remains in contention for the La Liga title. Flick has confirmed that Wojciech Szczęsny will start in goal, and the team is expected to make several rotations to manage player workload ahead of a crucial league match against Sevilla. Key players like Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Raphinha are likely to feature, while Robert Lewandowski could lead the attack.

The match is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with Barcelona’s attacking quality likely to prove decisive. Valencia will aim to make it a closer contest than their previous meeting, but Barcelona’s recent dominance and depth in squad strength suggest they are favorites to advance to the semi-finals. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 PM local time, with the winner moving one step closer to lifting the Copa del Rey trophy.