Valencia-Barça: The 'Ches' will receive the culés with two hard casualties

Valencia CF has announced that they will face the match against FC Barcelona with two key absences in their starting eleven. The team's coach, Carlos Corberán, has acknowledged in the press conference before the clash between the 'blaugranas' and 'white and blacks' that he will not be able to count on their area 'killer', Hugo Duro, nor on the right-back Dimitri Foulquier, two regular pieces in Valencia's starting lineup.

"Foulquier underwent tests and will not be available for this match due to discomfort, but we are optimistic for the next game."

"Hugo Duro is in a similar situation, he still has discomfort. He pushed through until the 60th minute the other day because I was liking what I saw, but we understood it was time to change him. Those discomforts persist, and he is doubtful for the following week, as he will also not be in the squad for this match."

Hugo Duro had scored in three consecutive matches against FC Barcelona

To provide context, with Hugo Duro's absence, the 'che' team is losing its top scorer of the 2024-25 season. The former Real Madrid player has netted seven goals in 20 matches so far. Out of those seven goals, two were against FC Barcelona, one in the match of matchday 1 in LaLiga EA Sports (1-2) and another in the return leg on matchday 21 (7-1).

Additionally, Hugo Duro had built a good personal streak against FC Barcelona, as in the last match of the 2023-24 season between Valencia CF and Barça, he also scored in the 4-2 defeat on matchday 33 of LaLiga EA Sports at Montjuïc. Now, a hamstring discomfort will prevent him from being the offensive reference of the 'che' team in a crucial moment like the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. This spot in the attacking front will likely be filled by Umar Sadiq or even Rafa Mir.

Valencia CF loses their 'wall' on the right flank

Regarding Dimitri Foulquier, who has been a 'leader' at right-back this season, he is dealing with a minor muscle injury that occurred during the match against Celta de Vigo (2-1). This forced him to be substituted towards the end of the game (81'). As a result, Corberán will have to do without him.

This absence will likely be filled by one of the recent winter market signings, the English right-back Max Aarons. The former Norwich City player made his debut for the 'white and black' team in the 7-1 defeat against the Catalan club.