Barcelona returned to winning ways at home ground in La Liga with a dominant 7-1 win against Valencia, with five of the goals in the first half, at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday 26th of January.Valencia’s misery in Barcelona ends but the loss only complicates its fight in the relegation zone. It sits second from bottom, with 16 points from 21 matches and will hope to turn the tide before its too late. Moreover on the points table Real Madrid is still on the top with the leading points 49 while Atletico Madrid at no 2 with 45 points and Barcelona at no 3 with 42 points and so on.
This win here helped Barcelona to climb one spot to third in the standings, with 42 points from 21 matches and it remains seven points short of Real Madrid and three off second-placed Atletico Madrid.Barca goes for another attack, with Fermin carrying the ball into the final third. Eventually, Torre tries a shot from distance, a right-footed hit from outside the box, which is saved by Mamardashvilli technically. Diakhaby takes the field with the hopes to strengthen the defence in the final few minute of regulation time, with Valencia set to return home with an embarrassing scoreline on the board.
Barcelona introduce Torre for Frenkie De Jong as Flick tests his bench strength in a match which his boys have thoroughly dominated.Ferran Torres’ shot is saved by Valencia but the number of Barca players in the box keep the visitors on the edge and Torres crosses after the save, which is slotted into his own net by Cesar Tarrega.Barca make two more changes at crucial time In: Fort, Victor, Out: Kounde, Yamal. Barcelona has replaced Raphinha and Balde with Robert Lewandowski and Gerard Martino. Valencia, on the other hand, has made three changes, including captain Gaya.Barcelona continues to make forays around the final third and gets the fourth corner in two minutes. Valencia is trying to park the bus but Flick’s men are attacking consistently.
Valencia is maintaining a five-man defence to deny any further goal in what already looks like a one-way traffic in Catalonia.Valencia tries to attack through set pieces this time, with Gaya crossing the ball from the left. Cubarsi tries to clear but Rioja tries a shot after the failed clearance but the ball goes off-target.Barcelona attacks on the counter and Raphinha tries to set up Ferran. The Spaniard is surrounded by the Valencia defence so, Raphinha gets the ball back and his shot is then blocked by Valencia. After all we can say that Barca did their job in a very perfect and smooth way and pave their way to final. !