Barça will begin their journey through La Lig 2024/2025 at Mestalla, a ground that is always difficult for any rival. The two teams arrive with different dynamics and with the transfer market in mind, as both have pending departures and possibly some other signings.
Barça went to the United States for their pre-season tour with three good matches, although the last duel before Valencia ended in a 0-3 defeat at the Gamper. The ‘che’ team did not win a friendly until the Trofeu Taronja, beating German side Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2.
Rubén Baraja’s Valencia arrives with two new faces, striker Rafa Mir and goalkeeper Dimitrievski, who arrives on a free transfer from Rayo Vallecano. Sergi Canós, Gayà, Jaume Domenech and Diakhaby are the injured players for the Valencian team. With no permanent starting winger up front and Mamardashvili awaiting sale to the Premier League, Valencia is not coming into this league debut in the best of shape.
Barça still cannot count on Ansu Fati, De Jong, Pedri, Gavi and Araujo, injured. Fermín López will not play either, as he is still on holiday after winning the European Championship and the Olympic Games with the Spanish national team. Without having all the players registered, Barça will face Valencia with many of the heavyweights available.
The new faces, not counting Hansi Flick, They are Pau Víctor and Dani Olmo, who still have to be registered in La Liga, as well as Iñigo Martínez, who if he arrives, will be a starter.
The match at Mestalla will be played this Saturday, August 17 at 9:30 p.m. and can be followed live by the SPORT website.
Probable lineups for Valencia – Barcelona:
Valencia: Mamardashvili, Correia, Mosquera, Tárrega, Jesús Vázquez, Guillamón, Pepelu, Diego López, Javi Guerra, Rafa Mir and Hugo Duro.
Barça: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Christensen, Iñigo*, Balde, Marc Bernal, Casadó, Gündogan, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski.
