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TEAM NEWS: Xavi returns for Barcelona in Copa del Rey semi-final second leg but Valencia's Roberto Soldado is sidelined with flu
Pep Guardiola names a strong side for the return clash at Camp Nou, with Carles Puyol reverting to a full-back role, as he did in the first match at Mestalla last week
09-Feb-2012 1:21:13 AM
By Ben Hayward
Xavi Hernandez - Barcelona
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola welcomes back Xavi from a two-match rest as the Catalans look to seal a place in the final of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
Xavi starts in a quality midfield alongside fellow La Masia graduates Cesc Fabregas and Thiago, with Alexis Sanchez, Lionel Messi and Isaac Cuenca in front of them in what is a very attacking line-up.
Andres Iniesta has received medical clearance and is on the bench for Barca.
Meanwhile, Valencia boss Unai Emery has lost star striker Roberto Soldado to flu. The former Real Madrid man is replaced in a 4-2-3-1 formation by Basque attacker Aritz Aduriz.
The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg at Mestalla last Wednesday and are fighting for a place in the final against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Pinto; Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Abidal; Fabregas, Xavi, Thiago; Alexis, Messi, Cuenca
Subs: Valdes, Alves, Adriano, Iniesta, Tello, Dos Santos, Bartra
Valencia (4-2-3-1): Alves; Miguel, Rami, V. Ruiz, Jordi Alba; Albelda, Banega; Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu; Aduriz
Subs: Guaita, Bruno, Parejo, Piatti, Ricardo Costa, Tino Costa, Bernat
Xavi starts in a quality midfield alongside fellow La Masia graduates Cesc Fabregas and Thiago, with Alexis Sanchez, Lionel Messi and Isaac Cuenca in front of them in what is a very attacking line-up.
Andres Iniesta has received medical clearance and is on the bench for Barca.
Meanwhile, Valencia boss Unai Emery has lost star striker Roberto Soldado to flu. The former Real Madrid man is replaced in a 4-2-3-1 formation by Basque attacker Aritz Aduriz.
The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg at Mestalla last Wednesday and are fighting for a place in the final against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Pinto; Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Abidal; Fabregas, Xavi, Thiago; Alexis, Messi, Cuenca
Subs: Valdes, Alves, Adriano, Iniesta, Tello, Dos Santos, Bartra
Valencia (4-2-3-1): Alves; Miguel, Rami, V. Ruiz, Jordi Alba; Albelda, Banega; Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu; Aduriz
Subs: Guaita, Bruno, Parejo, Piatti, Ricardo Costa, Tino Costa, Bernat
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