Valencia CF welcomes Barcelona to Mestalla Stadium on Wednesday night. In a clash of Spanish League titans, league-leading Valencia looks to stay atop the points table with a win against defending champion Barcelona. Valencia is 3-0-0 in league play, with a 4-3 win over Racing Santander, a 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid, and a 1-0 nail-biter against Sporting Gijón. Barcelona comes off an 8-0 destruction of Osasuna, with two confusing draws in between to Milan and Sociedad, followed by a 5-0 stomping of Villareal.
Roberto Soldado of Valencia CF controls a high ball last year against Barcelona at Camp Nou. (Courtesy Getty Images)
Valencia leads a 4-4-2 attack, the most popular formation amongst soccer clubs worldwide, and is led by striker Roberto Soldado. Soldado leads La Liga in goals, scoring even more than Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and even Leo Messi of Barça. Through three league matches, Soldado has totaled five goals; and also has managed to notch at least a goal in every match so far. Nicknamed “Los Che”, Valencia has been led by a potent offensive attack and a stifling defense in the last two league games. Their first match against Racing shook off some cobwebs, but they’ve been solid since, allowing no league goals.
Disciple of Messi 