FC Barcelona, which has not been able to do so in recent weeks in La Liga, will have ended up finding its way to victory this Sunday evening. Against Valencia, Hansi Flick’s men brilliantly ended a series of four games without a victory in the league. A success which does not bring major changes to the ranking: the Blaugrana remain third. But they are closing in on second-placed Atlético Madrid and remain seven points behind leaders Real Madrid.
FC Barcelona immediately showed its ambitions for the evening, and opened the scoring through Frenkie De Jong after just three minutes of play. In the process, Ferran Torres doubled the lead, before Raphinha scored a third goal for Barça in the first quarter of an hour. Fermin Lopez then takes part in the party and scores a double, which allows the Catalans to inflict an exceptional victory on their evening opponent at half-time, the gap in level is glaring between the two teams.
Returning from the locker room, the Valencia players came back showing themselves to be more dangerous offensively, and reduced the score just before the hour mark. But six minutes later, the penultimate in Liga was punished again, after a sixth Catalan goal scored by Robert Lewandowski, who had just come on. An own goal from Tarrega immediately made the Blanquinegros’ evening even more unsuccessful. 7-1 final score, Barça shines and really needed it: Hansi Flick’s men remained in four games without a victory in the league.
Ratings of FC Barcelona players against Valencia
Apart from a penalty conceded, which the VAR then canceled for a foul on Koundé earlier in the action, Szczesny had a very quiet first period. The Polish goalkeeper was then beaten after returning from the locker room by Hugo Duro, who reduced the gap shortly before the hour mark for Valencia (5-1, 59th). But the former Turin player’s match was successful, Szczesny having been present when necessary to repel the danger.
A good performance overall for Jules Koundé, little worried by Rioja on his right side, but also imperturbable when he intervened to repel the danger. Some transmissions, however, were too imprecise and were noted for the Frenchman at times. Koundé’s numerous offensive projections were very often present, without the former Sevillian managing to prove dangerous afterwards.
Replaced by Hector Fort in the 71st minute.
In a solid game so far, Eric Garcia lost the ball in midfield, the action then concluded with the penalty obtained by Valencia, but then refused, fortunately for the former Girona player. This was the only major move that Eric Garcia missed in this game, since the central defender was barely overtaken in this match. Enough to conclude a successful week for him, after his equalizing goal at the end of the match against Benfica on Tuesday.
Faced with a harmless Valencia team, Pau Cubarsi chose to shine through the pass. The exceptional opening of the young Spaniard for his compatriot Fermin Lopez is decisive, and brilliantly concluded by the latter. Behind, he was perfect in defense, author of numerous successful defensive interventions to ward off the danger, the rare times when the latter loomed over the Blaugrana defense.
After an excellent performance in the Champions League during the week, Alejandro Balde gets off to a perfect start this evening. His cross for Ferran Torres is decisive and allows Barça to make the break (9th). The left side then comes close to adding to the score on the scoreboard, but comes up against Mamardashvili (32nd). Balde’s match then remained uneventful until his exit.
Replaced by Gerard Martin in the 60th minute.
Frenkie De Jong may not be unanimous in Barcelona, but the Dutchman responds perfectly to the criticism. Perfectly served by Lamine Yamal, the Catalan midfielder is forgotten in the area and concludes perfectly to punish Valencia from the start of this game (1-0, 3rd).
The former Ajax Amsterdam player continued to have an excellent match afterwards, author of a very large number of interceptions, each one cleaner than the last. His association with Casado and Fermin in midfield was formidable.
Replaced by Pablo Torre in the 78th minute.
-Marc Casado offers a monstrous return on Almeida in his area to prevent Valencia from coming back to score (22nd). The young Catalan then continued to shine in this first period, author of major defensive interventions, which he combined with an omnipresence to receive the ball, which he redistributed with care. An activity that the young talent from La Masia continued throughout the meeting.
With a wonderful opening, Fermin Lopez is the decisive passer for Raphinha on Barça’s third goal. A little scare for him then, his loss of the ball in midfield could have allowed Valencia to return to this part without the grandiose return of Casado. The passer then turns into a scorer. Fermin receives the perfect ball from Cubarsi, and finds the top corner to score the fourth goal for the Blaugrana (4-0, 25th).
The Olympic champion did not stop there, and took advantage of a shot from Raphinha repelled by the post to finish in the empty goal, and score a double, enough to allow Barcelona to achieve an exceptional manita in the first period (5-0, 45th+4). The performance continued to be grandiose for Fermin after returning from the locker room, since the attacking midfielder delivered a second assist after the hour mark, this time for Lewandowski.
An absolutely incredible match from Fermin Lopez, more than ever the man of this meeting.
After a complicated game on Tuesday at Benfica, Lamine Yamal wanted to shine again this evening. And the Spaniard shines from the start of the game, decisive passer for De Jong (3rd). The right winger did not stop there, and was then responsible for his team’s third goal, with a new difference made with class in midfield (14th). Although he did not score any of his team’s five goals in the first period, Yamal remained sparkling, succeeding in everything he attempted, notably on his team’s fifth goal, which he was once again responsible for.
Less in sight after the break and until his exit, the Barcelonan’s game did not remain any less conclusive, far from it.
Replaced by Pau Victor in the 71st minute.
FC Barcelona’s best player this season has struck again. After his double on Tuesday against Benfica, Raphinha offers himself a third goal this week. Perfectly served by Fermin Lopez, he first eliminates Mamardashvili, and concludes in the empty goal (3-0, 14th). Before the break, this time it is Lamine Yamal who serves the Brazilian perfectly in depth. Once again, the former Rennes player eliminates Mamardashvili, but this time can only find the Georgian’s left post. The ball, however, returns to Fermin who can finish.
In the second half, Raphinha came close to being the decisive passer for Ferran Torres, before the Barcelona left winger gave way shortly after.
Replaced in the 60th minute by Robert Lewandowski, who scored as soon as he entered the game. Served by Fermin, the Pole first controlled then crossed his shot to add his name among the scorers of the evening (6-1, 66th).
The former Valencia player is ruthless with his former team, and doubles the lead after just nine minutes for Barça. On a new cross, this time coming from the left, Ferran Torres takes the ball perfectly to deposit it in the small net of Mamardashvili (2-0, 8th). The center forward of the evening then came close to scoring a double: his shot was deflected for a corner (41st).
Returning from the locker room, a new opportunity for the former citizen to once again punish his former club, but his point-blank attempt went off target (55th). Although he still fails to find the net a second time, Ferran Torres nevertheless struggles to push Tarrega to score against his side, for a new goal for Barcelona in this match (7-1, 75th).
