Barcelona 1-0 Valencia: Barcelona made it unnecessarily difficult for themselves against Valencia on Sunday. Three days after the cup victory over Real Madrid, the Catalans got themselves into trouble with a missed penalty and a red card, but no new loss of points in La Liga failed to materialize.
Barcelona again had to do without the injured Robert Lewandowski and Pedri on Sunday afternoon, while Gavi was in the stands due to a suspension. For that reason, trainer Xavi was also not allowed to sit on the bench, but that did not stop the Catalans from starting the home game with Valencia battling against relegation very well.
Sergio Busquets was at the basis of the opening goal with a beautiful pass. The 34-year-old captain once again showed his value for Barça by placing the ball with great feeling on the head of Raphinha, who headed the ball over Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. It was already his third header of the season for the 26-year-old Brazilian.
Despite that dream start, Barcelona had a hard time with Valencia. Ansu Fati left just before the break after putting bench seat Justin Kluivert’s team at a greater disadvantage by heading wide from a Raphinha cross. After that, Ilaix Moriba (ex-Barça) also had to put the visitors on an equal footing, but he shot wide after getting rid of Andreas Christensen badly.
Second half
Even after the break, Barça failed to close the game. Ferran Torres fired a penalty, given as Jules Koundé shot Hugo Guillamón’s hand from close range, against the post after arguing with Ansu Fati over who should take the penalty. Shortly afterwards, Ansu Fati also hit the aluminum, this time from a Raphinha cross. That’s how Valencia stayed alive.
That was especially the case when Ronald Araújo had to pull the emergency brake. A few minutes after the missed penalty after a bad header from Koundé. Holding on to Hugo Duro, Araujo was shown a red card, forcing Barca to take the lead by 10 men. That happened without Frenkie de Jong, who made way for Franck Kessié at halftime.
Valencia smelled blood, but found no hole in Barça’s defense. Kluivert was unable to change that as a substitute and Los Che’s call for a penalty for an alleged foul by Kessié went unanswered. As a result, Barça added three points a week after the defeat against Almería despite everything.
