Valencia faces crunch Barcelona test

Valencia coach Unai Emery has urged his table-topping side to seize their "opportunity to shine'' against Primera Division champions Barcelona today.

LA LIGA RESULTS: SEPT. 20

 

Tuesday, September 20
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Emery welcomes Pep Guardiola's side to La Mestalla with both sides in good spirits.

While the visitors are on a high following Saturday's 8-0 thrashing of Osasuna, Valencia are enjoying a superb start to the season which sees them top the early standings following three wins from as many matches.

Emery believes such form should give them hope of achieving his first win over the Catalans as Los Che boss.

He said: "The first thing that we should do is believe. The second thing is being able to win.

"We are approaching this game with a winning mentality, but we are also capable of putting it into practice. We can do it, we have belief in ourselves and this is our opportunity to shine.

"Every game is a challenge, but it is true that Barcelona are a team who we have not been able to beat since I have arrived here. We have come close a couple of times here at Mestalla, but we haven't quite managed it.

"Our challenge is two-fold, because of what it means to beat Barcelona and the fact that it would keep us top of the league if Betis drop points.''

Emery's men traditionally play well against Barca but have yet to beat them under his guidance.

"We have to be even slicker than before, because we played well the last three times we faced Barcelona and drew two of those games,'' he said.

"We are looking to make these necessary improvements - keeping in place the things that we did well last time.''

Barca head south with a side bolstered in midfield by the summer signing of Cesc Fabregas and the continued rise to prominence of the prodigious Thiago.

The youngster is engaged in a constant scrap for playing time but insists he is relishing the competition.

"We are all different players and if we can click together that will help us make a great team,'' said Thiago.

"Cesc has really come into the team well and he is a great player. His ability to leave his marker is something not many have and he is really good in front of goal.''

In-form Valencia striker Roberto Soldado looks set to overcome a foot injury suffered at the weekend while Barca could rest Carles Puyol following the skipper's return from injury at the weekend. Gerard Pique is back in training but unlikely to be rushed back while Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez are still out.