Tensions flare outside Mestalla ahead of Valencia vs Barcelona match

Tensions flare outside Mestalla ahead of Valencia vs Barcelona match Barcelona travel to Mestalla this afternoon looking to extend their perfect start to the season and move clear at the top of La Liga following Real Madrid’s defeat to Real Betis. However, the build-up to the fixture has been overshadowed by concerns over the atmosphere surrounding the stadium, with tensions running high among the Valencia fanbase. Peter Lim’s arrival adds fuel Valencia fans are not happy with owner Peter Lim. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) According to Diario SPORT , Valencia owner Peter Lim landed in the city on a private plane on Sunday, hours before the match against Barcelona. His presence at Mestalla has not been officially confirmed by the club, but the Singaporean businessman is expected to attend the fixture. His arrival comes at a particularly delicate time, with Valencia having taken just one point from their opening three matches and the fanbase growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s direction. Valencia supporters have prepared various protest actions against the ownership and the board, making the atmosphere around Mestalla especially volatile. Adding to the tension, the last time Barcelona visited Mestalla, on the final day of last season, there were incidents outside the ground involving flares, objects thrown at police and confrontational chanting as the Barcelona team bus arrived. Barcelona also on alert Hansi Flick’s men are on high alert. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) The concerns are not limited to the Valencia end either, with Barcelona monitoring the situation closely for different reasons. The Catalan club remain troubled by the incidents that occurred ahead of their league opener in Elche, where clashes between Barcelona supporters and National Police officers marred the build-up. Barcelona publicly condemned what they described as a “disproportionate” use of force against their fans and demanded an explanation for the police action. That episode has made the club especially attentive to how security is handled at away fixtures, and Mestalla represents another potentially charged environment. On the sporting side, Barcelona have a golden opportunity to take sole possession of first place. Hansi Flick’s side have won all three of their opening matches, and with Real Madrid having dropped points against Betis, a victory in Valencia would allow the Blaugrana to capitalise on their rivals’ stumble and open up a gap at the top of the table.