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Copa del Rey | Semi-Finals
Feb 1, 2018 at 8.30pm UK
 
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Suarez (67')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Team News: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez lead Barcelona line against Valencia

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde picks a strong starting XI for Thursday night's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia at Camp Nou.

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has picked a strong starting XI for Thursday night's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Valencia at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana have no fresh injury and suspension worries and boast a sizeable lead at the top of La Liga, which enables them to make use of their big guns in the cup.

Jasper Cillessen has been utilised in cup competitions and is thus named in goal, but the outfield players are largely the first-choice options, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading the line.

New signing Philippe Coutinho and in-form Paulinho are named on the bench, while Aleix Vidal makes a surprise return to the side.

Barca have now reached the semi-final stages of this tournament for a record eighth time in a row and are bidding to claim their 30th Copa crown.

Valencia, meanwhile, have several injury issues as Jeisson Murillo, Ezekiel Garay and Goncalo Guedes are all sidelined.

However, Carlos Soler comes back into the side on the back of an injury while Gabriel Paulista returns from suspension.

Barcelona: Cillessen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Vidal, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez
Subs: Ter Stegen, Suarez, Coutinho, Paulinho, Alcacer, Digne, Mina

Valencia: Jaume; Montoya, Vezo, Gabriel, Gaya; Soler, Parejo, Coquelin, Pereira; Vietto, Rodrigo
Subs: Maksimovic, Zaza, Neto, Latorre, Torres, Mina, Vidal

Follow all the action from Camp Nou with Sports Mole's live match commentary.

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Philippe Coutinho in action for Barcelona on January 28, 2018
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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