Need to Know: Valencia CF's visit to the Camp Nou

Maxi Gómez and Luis Suárez: The Uruguayan connection
Maxi Gómez and Luis Suárez first met in 2017 when they were both called up for the Uruguay national team, but the FC Barcelona player had been someone Gómez looked up to long before that. He watched him at Defensor Sporting in his homeland, and has the same ambition and strength as his countryman. The duo are now firm friends, having played alongside one another with 'The Celeste'.

Goals for Gómez at the Camp Nou
Gómez has a great record at the Camp Nou, having scored there in December of 2017 in a draw between Barça and Celta Vigo. It was against FC Barcelona that he found the net for the final time with the Galician team, back in May, before joining Valencia CF this summer. Still to score for his new club, Saturday night's game would be the ideal occasion in which to open his account.

Fullbacks made in the VCF Academy
Two of Spain's top left backs will be in action at the Camp Nou, on opposing sides. José Luis Gayà and Jordi Alba were both brought up through the youth system at Valencia CF, graduating from the VCF Academy and playing for the first team. Alba moved to FC Barcelona, allowing Gayà to come to the fore several years later. The pair have a healthy rivalry for the leftback spot for Spain.

All of the Copa del Rey final starters available -minus Soler
112 days since Valencia CF won the Copa del Rey, held on May 25th at the Benito Villamarin in Seville, they face their opponents from that game once again. Of the starting lineup from that side, only Carlos Soler -currently sidelined through injury- are available to coach Albert Celades. Curiously, Valencia CF can also call upon goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, who was on the losing side the day in which VCF won their first trophy since 2008.

No Messi for FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona will be without Leo Messi on Matchday 4. He was injured during the opening days of the Catalan side's preseason and has not been able to feature consistently for Barça since the season got underway. Also missing the match will be Neto, who signed for the home team from Valencia CF this summer.