Obligatory victory for FC Barcelona. Beaten at home in the league by the new leader Girona (2-4) then in the Champions League on the pitch of Royal Antwerp (2-3), Barça had to reverse the trend to take advantage of Atlético’s defeat from Madrid to Bilbao rather in the afternoon. To do this, they had to emerge victorious from a trip to the Mestalla, where they faced Valencia CF on the 17th day of La Liga. Under pressure for several weeks, Xavi and his team had to react so as not to end up in a blank season…
The 22 players in the match offered the spectators in the Valencian den a lively start, sometimes with back and forths from one camp to another. This is evidenced by the tense shot from Roman Yaremchuk, deflected by Iñaki Peña (2nd), followed by his teammate Cristhian Mosquera, who also tested the Catalan goalkeeper (16th). Robert Lewandowski finally showed himself to be dangerous in the other zone of truth, but lost two duels against Giorgi Mamardashvili, vigilant with his powerful shot (18th) then his scissor with his right foot (28th).
Valencia needed an individual feat to come back
Returning from the locker room after a lively but goalless first act, the Blaugrana took control of the game in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises in the final third. Strategy paid off since Raphinha, launched behind the defense, found João Félix alone in front of goal. The Portuguese just had to push the ball into the opposing net, for his third goal in La Liga (0-1, 55th). The Brazilian passer was not far from doubling the lead with a nice shot at the near post, deflected by the last Georgian rampart, but the ball had already come out a few seconds before (67th).
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Team
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Pts
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J
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DIF
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G
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NOT
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D
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BP
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B.C.
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22 |
Finally, it took an individual feat to see the club return to equality: at the entrance to the penalty area, Hugo Guillamon sent a superb curling shot into Peña’s left corner (70th), a goal confirmed by the VAR. Xavi’s men pushed to regain the advantage, but came up against a solid Valencia defense, notably against Raphinha, held in check in two stages (82nd). Final score: 1-1. Barça does not take advantage of the colchonero setback but nevertheless takes the last step of the podium, Valencia climbs to the first part of the table.
