Barcelona vs Valencia LIVE: LaLiga 2019-20 football as it happened at the Camp Nou
Barcelona's 16-year-old forward Ansu Fati continued his explosive start to life in the first team by scoring and providing an assist as the LaLiga champions thrashed Valencia 5-2 on Saturday.
Fati, who became Barca's youngest ever goalscorer two weeks ago by netting at Osasuna, struck his first goal at the Camp Nou to give Barca the lead with less than two minutes on the clock by smashing a pass from Frenkie De Jong into the net.
The teenager then returned the favour by dashing into the area from the left wing and teeing up Dutchman De Jong to score his first goal for the club in the seventh minute.
Valencia, playing their first game since sacking coach Marcelino and replacing him with Albert Celades, pulled a goal back later in the half through Kevin Gameiro but Barca came flying back at them after the interval.
Gerard Pique bundled the ball into the net in the 51st minute after Antoine Griezmann had hit the post while Luis Suarez netted twice after coming off the bench.
Maxi Gomez got a consolation goal for Valencia in stoppage time.
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Barcelona team news
Lionel Messi is once again out for Barca, with the Camp Nou talisman still struggling with a calf injury. Ousmane Dembele and Samuel Umiti are also out for the Blaugrana.
There is better news for Valverde with Nelson Semedo, Arthur Melo, Clement Lenglet and Antoine Griezmann all back, but Luis Suarez does not start - but Ansu Fati does in attack.
Lineup: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Arthur, De Jong, Perez, Ansu Fati, Griezmann
Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Valencia
Valencia find themselves in the curious position of being level on points with Barca heading into this fixture, but having sacked their coach due to poor results.
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Saturday's clash should be a tight affair with Messi still out, but Valverde will be confident of Suarez and Griezmann combining to seal a home win.
TV channel and live stream information
The match will be shown on Premier 2. The channel is available to Premier Sports subscribers via channel 435 on Sky, and 552 on Virgin TV.
What can we expect from Valencia tonight?
Well, Los Che sacked their esteemed coach Marcelino in midweek just days before their clash with Barcelona after a long-running rift in the Valencia hierarchy.
Photo: AP
Albert Celades, the former Spain Under-21 manager, has been put in temporary charge and once again the club's instability has come to the fore.
Valencia sit on four points after three games - the same total as Barcelona - and won 2-0 against Real Mallorca last time out. Still, with the uncertainty hanging over the players, it could provide an unwanted distraction against a Messi-less Barcelona.
Valencia bench
Doménech, Jaume Costa, Kondogbia, Cheryshev, Diakhaby, Kangin, Gómez
Valencia lineup
Cillessen; Wass, Garay, Gabriel, Gaya; Ferran Torres, Parejo, Coquelin, Guedes; Gameiro, Rodrigo.
Barca bench
Inaki Pena, Rakitic, Todibo, S.Roberto, Vidal, Junior
Barcelona lineup
Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Arthur, De Jong, Perez, Ansu Fati, Griezmann
Messi's future
Lionel Messi insists he is happy at Camp Nou, but admits he wants a "winning project" with the Catalan club.
A report in El Pais last week claimed Messi could walk away for free at the end of this season, due to a clause in his contract, and Gerard Pique later appeared to confirm that information.
"I can't confirm anything because in the contracts there is a confidentiality clause and I can't say anything," Messi told Sport in an interview published on Thursday.
"What I can say is that I want to be at Barcelona as long as I can, spend all my career here because this is my home.
"I don't want a long contract and to stay because I have a contract, but because I want to be in good shape physically, to play, to be important, and see that there is a winning project.
"I want to keep winning things with the club. I want to keep achieving important things. And for me, the clause doesn't mean anything. Money neither. I am moved by other things. The most important thing for me is a winning project."
Barcelona predicted XI
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, De Jong, Sergi Roberto; Carles Perez, Suarez, Griezmann
That means Messi could also miss the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund, but he is definitely out for the Valencia match. French forward Ousmane Dembele is still sidelined and will play no part on Saturday, while defender Samuel Umtiti is expected to be out for around six weeks with a foot injury.
Youngsters Ansu Fati and Carles Perez are in the squad again after featuring in recent games, while fellow La Masia graduate Carles Alena returns in midfield, having been left out of the last two squads.
Back-up goalkeeper Neto remains out through injury, while Rafinha left Barca to join Celta Vigo on loan before the close of the transfer window on September 2.
Barcelona team news
Lionel Messi misses out tonight, but Luis Suarez is back for the Blaugrana.
The Uruguayan striker suffered a calf injury in Barca's 1-0 loss away to Athletic Club on the opening weekend of the season, but is ready to return and his been named in the squad to face Valencia.
Messi has been out for longer with a calf problem of his own which he sustained on his return to pre-season training and coach Ernesto Valverde said on Friday that he may still need a little longer to recover.
"His scar opened a little and we're taking things calmly," the Barca boss said. "He's on schedule with his recovery. I don't know if he'll be back on Tuesday, perhaps later. I don't want to create expectation. Tuesday will be difficult."
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