Barcelona’s attacking problems should be gone against Valencia
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is yet to make a single appearance this season. Luis Suárez has not played since hobbling off the pitch in the season opener against Athletic Bilbao. Ousmane Dembélé has also not played in the last two games.
Ernesto Valverde has started a trio consisting of Antoine Griezmann, Rafinha and Carles Pérez against Real Betis and Osasuna. While the makeshift attack clicked against Betis, Barça drew against Osasuna after conceding a late penalty.
16-year old La Masia starlet Ansu Fati has made two appearances off the bench this season, and has impressed. But he is hardly experienced enough to hold down a spot in the first-team squad, and Rafinha has joined Celta Vigo on loan.
Barça were in dire need for more forwards, and the duo of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez have recovered just in time. The full-strength attack is going to be starting for the first time this season, against the best opposition Barça have come up against till date, Valencia.
Los Che’s defence has also been reinforced, and they have conceded fewer goals than Barça this season. New left-back Jaume Costa has been particularly excellent, along with fellow full-backs José Gayá and Daniel Wass.
But Barça’s attack is expected to overcome the resistance offered by the likes of Ezequiel Garay. With Lionel Messi operating down the right, Luis Suárez will return to his role as centre-forward. Antoine Griezmann would be the left winger, as he was at Atlético before.
This trio has 686 goals and 286 assists in 940 La Liga appearances between themselves, making them the most prolific in the world, if not the best. It is certainly the best attacking trident in Spain, and has the ability to overcome any opposition if they work together.