Pique fit for Valencia as Gomes returns to the Barcelona side
The Catalan defender shakes off a knock to start at Mestalla
Coutinho is on the bench as Gomes comes into the XI
Barcelona are looking for their fifth consecutive Copa del Rey final on Thursday. The Blaugrana, the winners in each of the last three seasons, hope to seal their passage to the final at the Mestalla, where they travel with a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their semifinal against Valencia last week.
The big news is that Gerard Pique is fit to play. The defender injured his knee against Espanyol on Sunday and was a major doubt, but he came through training on Wednesday and Ernesto Valverde has deemed him fit to start the game, alongside Samuel Umtiti.
Valverde's other big call is the inclusion of Andre Gomes. The Portuguese midfielder has missed the last three games due to a stomach bug but starts in Valencia in place of Philippe Coutinho, who drops to the bench. Gomes is likely to start the match to the right of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Barça will be keen to score an early goal because one goal would leave Valencia needing to score three to progress, due to the away goal rule.
Valencia danger man Guedes is left on the bench having only recently recovered from an injury, but there are starts for attacking trio Rodrigo Moreno, Luciano Vietto and Simeone Zaza.
Teams for Valencia-FC Barcelona:
VALENCIA: Jaume; Montoya, Gabriel Paulista, Garay, Gayà; Coquelin, Parejo, Kondogbia, Rodrigo; Vietto and Zaza.
FC BARCELONA: Cillessen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba; André Gomes, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi and Luis Suárez.
