The Australian goalkeeper is excited by the prospect of facing the Spanish champions at Camp Nou - even though the Spanish champions have a sublime record at home this term
Valencia goalkeeper Maty Ryan is confident his side can spring a surprise against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey - even if Gary Neville is still searching for his first win in La Liga.
Valencia travel to Camp Nou on Wednesday evening for the first leg of their semi-final tie - and Luis Enrique's side have won all but two of their games at home so far this season.
"Of course we believe we can beat them and reach the Copa del Rey final. I work hard every day so I can play important games. And there is nothing bigger than a Copa del Rey semi-final at Camp Nou", Ryan told Goal.
"Winning tournaments is never easy, no matter who you face. We against a great side in Barcelona and this is very exciting.
"I think it's a great chance to face one of the best teams and some of the best players of all time."
Ryan has already enjoyed a taste of success in his blossoming career having won the Belgian Cup with Club Brugge, as well as the A-League title with Central Coast Mariners, and is eager for it to continue at Valencia.
“The cup is important to me because winning titles and trophies is the reason why I play football,” he explained.
“Like last year when I was winning titles like the Asian Cup with Australia and the Belgian Cup with Brugge - that’s the ultimate feeling.
"Winning titles and cups is something you’ll never forget. Valencia are a big club with great ambitions, and hopefully we will win trophies together here.”
Neville’s men, however, are struggling to realise their potential in the league and at the weekend slumped to a first home Liga defeat in 16 months when they were beaten by Sporting Gijon.
The former Manchester United defender is yet to win in eight Primera Division encounters and Ryan admitted that Sunday’s loss was a blow, although he was upbeat about the manner in which his side played.
“It was disappointing we weren’t able to get the result on the back of our cup win against Las Palmas," said Ryan.
"I thought our performance was one of our better ones recently and we just lacked the composure in front of goal. There were lots of positives to take from the game and there’s plenty of football ahead of us so we’re working hard in training and hopefully it’s something to build on.”
The second leg of the tie will be played at Mestalla on February 10.
- Goal