MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 03:36:09| >> :120:16938:16938:
[monks data]
Attendance: 43,355
Valencia logo
Copa del Rey | Semi-Finals
Feb 8, 2018 at 8.30pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Coutinho (49'), Rakitic (82')

Team News: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez start for Barcelona against Valencia

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez start for Barcelona in Thursday night's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg away at Valencia.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been named in Barcelona's starting XI for Thursday night's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg away at Valencia.

Gerard Pique has been declared fit to play despite reports suggesting that the defender would miss a month due to a knee injury sustained in last week's 1-1 draw at Espanyol.

Barca have also welcomed back both Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba from the bench in the full-back positions as Ernesto Valverde's charges seek to build on their 1-0 first-leg win at Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho are on the bench with Andre Gomes selected in midfield alongside Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

Valencia head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral has been able to recall a number of key players who missed out on the first leg as Geoffrey Kondogbia and Ezequiel Garay both return to Copa del Rey action.

The hosts will feature top scorer Simone Zaza operating alongside Luciano Vietto in attack, while playmaker Rodrigo will be operating from the left flank.

Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira is out for three weeks, but Goncalo Guedes has made the bench despite groin trouble in recent weeks.

Valencia: Jaume; Gaya, Garay, Paulista, Montoya; Rodrigo, Kondogbia, Parejo, Coquelin; Zaza, Vietto
Subs: Neto, Vezo, Soler, Guedes, Mina, Lato, Maksimovic

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

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

ID:318266: cacheID:318266:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4719:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Philippe Coutinho in action for Barcelona on January 28, 2018
Read Next:
Coutinho 'honoured' to represent Barca
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!