Three takeaways from Valencia 0-5 Barcelona | OneFootball

If the 7-1 humbling of Valencia last month was not enough, Barcelona put five more past the Mestalla-based side last night in the Copa del Rey in what was another demolition of the relegation-threatened side.

Given the must-win situation and the knockout format, Hansi Flick did not compromise on the quality of his XI but included some interesting changes by starting Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres.

The plan could not have gone any better as his side secured the win in just 30 minutes, giving him ample opportunity to rotate the team in the second period considering the hectic schedule ahead.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways for Hansi Flick from Valencia 0-5 Barcelona.

Valencia do not learn

Many expected Valencia to learn from the mistakes that caused their undoing against Barcelona last month, especially given the magnitude of their defeat.

The Catalans, after all, put seven goals past Carlos Corberan’s men at Montjuic and made the most of Valencia’s uncertain game plan which gave them sufficient space to work with.

On the night, Valencia employed neither a high press nor a low block, giving Barcelona all the space they needed to attack and combine in the final third. Moreover, their improperly implemented highline failed the Hansi Flick test.

Last night only saw more of the same as Valencia showed to have not picked up anything from their last defeat to the Blaugrana.

Corberan and Co. once again employed the exact same strategy and were torn apart in just 30 minutes once more, after which Barcelona cooled down the steam and did not extend the scoreline by much.

While it is true that Barcelona are unstoppable under Flick, Valencia’s destruction last night was primarily mediated by their own inability to improve despite knowing their faulty gameplan.

A special homecoming for Ferran

Hattrick hero. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Hansi Flick once again operated without Robert Lewandowski last night and handed Ferran Torres the start in attack. The Spaniard grabbed his opportunity with his hands once more and continued his stellar run of form.

Taking to the field at Mestalla was always going to be special for the winger who spent the younger years of his career developing at and representing Valencia. In fact, he has shown on multiple occasions to have a special love for his city.

Yet, even he would not have anticipated his performance last night to be as special as it turned out as he happened to find the back of the net thrice in just half an hour.

Torres opened the scoring in just the third minute after getting on the end of Alejandro Balde’s cross and then doubled the lead before the 20-minute mark with a powerful volley off the rebound of Lamine Yamal’s strike.

At the half-hour mark, he placed a shot from outside the box to perfection, guiding it past Stole Dimitrievski and completing his hat-trick at Mestalla, thus marking a special game.

For Hansi Flick, Torres’ good run of form continues to be a massive positive as the manager now has a clear backup striker on days Lewandowski is rested.

To the last four

The game at Mestalla was never about points or goal difference – only the spot in the semifinal of the Copa del Rey.

By putting five goals past Valencia and maintaining a clean sheet, the Catalans secured their place in the final four and are thus within touching distance of the silverware.

Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad are the other three clubs to have made it to the semifinal and Barcelona will not have it easy from here on. Yet, they can be convinced they can get the better of any opponent they are paired against.

The semifinal will be held over two legs with the winner on aggregate proceeding to the single-leg finale. Only 270 minutes, thus, stand between Barcelona and the Cup title and the Catalans can be convinced they have what it takes to go all the way.

All eyes are now on the draw which will be held next week and will determine Barcelona’s path to the finale and the potential opponent should they make it to the title clash.