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Ernesto Valverde Talks Barcelona Injuries Ahead of Copa Del Rey Final
May 20, 2019
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is unsure if Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho or Arthur will be available for the Copa del Rey final against Valencia on Saturday.
Nelson Semedo was added to his list of concerns after he suffered a head injury in Barca's 2-2 draw with Eibar on Sunday, which goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen missed due to a knee injury.
Per Football Espana, Valverde said:
"Semedo was taken to hospital during the game, but we are hopeful it is only a minor problem and he can return tomorrow.
"We think that Ter Stegen will be fit for the final, after the initial diagnosis was reassessed.
"With Coutinho, I do not know yet, but we allowed him an additional rest today.
"Dembele and Arthur are more difficult to make a decision on right now, particularly as Arthur has been carrying an injury for months."
Barca provided an update on Semedo on Monday:
Coutinho suffered a hamstring injury in the Blaugrana's 2-0 win over Getafe earlier in May, while Dembele was forced off after six minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo with a similar issue.
Arthur last played in the 4-0 UEFA Champions League defeat at Liverpool, and he has been out since with a hip problem.
It has already been confirmed that Luis Suarez will miss the final after he had surgery on his knee.
Sports journalist Richard Martin thinks Valencia could upset the Spanish champions on Saturday:
Their injuries have mounted up at an inopportune time, particularly given Valencia held them to draws in both their meetings in La Liga this season when Barca were closer to full strength.
Los Ches finished fourth in the league, and only Atletico Madrid conceded fewer goals.
With Suarez out and Dembele and Coutinho potentially sidelined too, Barca will be even more reliant on Lionel Messi.
He has enjoyed a typically excellent campaign, as ESPN's Samuel Marsden illustrated:
The Argentinian also has an impressive record in the Copa del Rey. He's played in eight finals in the competition and scored in five of them.
Messi could be Barca's only reliable match-winner on the pitch on Saturday, so not for the first time, the team's success might hinge on his performance.