The match was marked by blunders by the goalkeepers, and three of the four blue garnet goals were scored with heads
Barcelona experienced huge problems at home in the match of the 33rd round of the Spanish Examples against Valenciabut still managed to snatch victory – 4:2.
At first, the game developed without surprises. The favorite had the advantage and converted it midway through the first half: Fermin Lopez turned Raphinha’s cross into a goal with a cool header.
And then Ruben Baraja’s team suddenly turned the game around, and with the maximum help of the home players. First, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, being first on the ball outside the penalty area, simply gave it to Hugo Duro. And soon Ronald Araujo unmotivatedly mowed down Peter Federico in his own penalty area, and Pepel took the punishment.
Valencia didn’t last long until the break. Now it was goalkeeper Georgi Mamardashvili’s turn to bring the ball – he released the ball and, so that it would not go to Lamin Yamal, played with his hand outside the penalty area. Straight red.
Throughout the second half, Blaugrana sat on the opponent’s goal. Xavi’s team was greatly helped by a quick second goal – it was scored by Robert Lewandowski after Ilkay Gundogan’s cross from the corner of the field.
Subsequently, reserve keeper Jaume Domenech selflessly and repeatedly saved the underdog. But it was his mistake on the way out that led to the decisive goal – the ball bounced off Araujo, and Lewandowski sent it into the empty net.
At the very end, the Pole finished off his opponent, at the same time completing a hat-trick – he beautifully threw the wall with a direct free-kick. Now he has 16 goals in the championship – leading Artem Dovbik has only three goals.
The victory allowed Barcelona to overtake Girona and return to second place. The gap to Real is 11 points with five rounds to go. Valencia is eighth.
In the next round, the blue garnets will face a derby at Girona, and Valencia will host Alaves.
- Example. 33rd round
Barcelona — Valencia — 4:2 (1:2)
Goals: Fermin 22, Lewandowski 49, 82, 90+3 – Duro 27, Pepelu 38, pen.
Removal: Mamardashvili (B), 45+4 – straight red
Source: Sportarena
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
