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If the 7-1 humbling of Valencia final month was not sufficient, Barcelona put 5 extra previous the Mestalla-based facet final evening within the Copa del Rey in what was one other demolition of the relegation-threatened facet.
Given the must-win state of affairs and the knockout format, Hansi Flick didn’t compromise on the standard of his XI however included some fascinating adjustments by beginning Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres.
The plan couldn’t have gone any higher as his facet secured the win in simply half-hour, giving him ample alternative to rotate the staff within the second interval contemplating the hectic schedule forward.
Barça Common brings you three takeaways for Hansi Flick from Valencia 0-5 Barcelona.
Valencia don’t study
Many anticipated Valencia to study from the errors that induced their undoing in opposition to Barcelona final month, particularly given the magnitude of their defeat.
The Catalans, in spite of everything, put seven objectives previous Carlos Corberan’s males at Montjuic and made essentially the most of Valencia’s unsure recreation plan which gave them enough house to work with.
On the evening, Valencia employed neither a excessive press nor a low block, giving Barcelona all of the house they wanted to assault and mix within the ultimate third. Furthermore, their improperly applied highline failed the Hansi Flick check.
Final evening solely noticed extra of the identical as Valencia confirmed to haven’t picked up something from their final defeat to the Blaugrana.
Corberan and Co. as soon as once more employed the very same technique and had been torn aside in simply half-hour as soon as extra, after which Barcelona cooled down the steam and didn’t prolong the scoreline by a lot.
Whereas it’s true that Barcelona are unstoppable underneath Flick, Valencia’s destruction final evening was primarily mediated by their very own incapacity to enhance regardless of figuring out their defective gameplan.
A particular homecoming for Ferran
Hattrick hero. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photos)
Hansi Flick as soon as once more operated with out Robert Lewandowski final evening and handed Ferran Torres the beginning in assault. The Spaniard grabbed his alternative along with his fingers as soon as extra and continued his stellar run of type.
Taking to the sphere at Mestalla was all the time going to be particular for the winger who spent the youthful years of his profession growing at and representing Valencia. Actually, he has proven on a number of events to have a particular love for his metropolis.
But, even he wouldn’t have anticipated his efficiency final evening to be as particular because it turned out as he occurred to search out the again of the web thrice in simply half an hour.
Torres opened the scoring in simply the third minute after getting on the tip of Alejandro Balde’s cross after which doubled the lead earlier than the 20-minute mark with a strong volley off the rebound of Lamine Yamal’s strike.
On the half-hour mark, he positioned a shot from outdoors the field to perfection, guiding it previous Stole Dimitrievski and finishing his hat-trick at Mestalla, thus marking a particular recreation.
For Hansi Flick, Torres’ good run of type continues to be an enormous constructive because the supervisor now has a transparent backup striker on days Lewandowski is rested.
To the final 4
The sport at Mestalla was by no means about factors or purpose distinction – solely the spot within the semifinal of the Copa del Rey.
By placing 5 objectives previous Valencia and sustaining a clear sheet, the Catalans secured their place within the ultimate 4 and are thus inside touching distance of the silverware.
Atletico Madrid, Actual Madrid and Actual Sociedad are the opposite three golf equipment to have made it to the semifinal and Barcelona is not going to have it straightforward from right here on. But, they are often satisfied they will get the higher of any opponent they’re paired in opposition to.
The semifinal will likely be held over two legs with the winner on combination continuing to the single-leg finale. Solely 270 minutes, thus, stand between Barcelona and the Cup title and the Catalans may be satisfied they’ve what it takes to go all the way in which.
All eyes at the moment are on the draw which will likely be held subsequent week and can decide Barcelona’s path to the finale and the potential opponent ought to they make it to the title conflict.
