Barcelona 3-1 Valencia
It was a day that began with the Barcelona president Joan Laporta claiming the club was in its worst financial situation ever: a debt skyrocketing to 1.35 billion euros; the accounts the worst in the club’s history.
So, two weeks on from their last La Liga outing, an inevitable defeat at the hands of former friends in the shape of reigning champions Atletico Madrid, how the team and their supporters needed something – anything – to ease the heat.
Yes, a return from the international break and the same questions remained.
But La Liga highlights and three points would surely lift every one of a Catalan persuasion, and back up the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds at the same time.
Valencia were in no mood to be lambs to the slaughter mind.
Highlights of the game
Indeed, their defender Mouctar Diakhaby predicted pre-match they were travelling to Catalonia to win
Five years since they last won at the Nou Camp, they were able to welcome back Jose Gaya – who has been linked with Barcelona of late – after injury.
He was to prove centre stage on more than one occasion.
As for the hosts, teenager Ansu Fati was handed his first start since his return from a long-term knee injury, with boss Ronald Koeman naming him up front alongside Memphis Depay.
Since 2013/14, Valencia have scored more goals at the Nou Camp in the league than any other visiting team (14 goals in eight games) and that soon became 15 as they made a dream start.
Only five minutes had elapsed when a corner bounced out to the left-back Gaya and the Valencia captain struck the ball sweetly to despatch it past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from distance.
Gaya was a pivotal figure again moments later as he slid in to clear a dangerous low ball that was flashing across the Los Che box.
The respite was brief, however, as Barca were level by the 13th minute.
It was also a show of a promising partnership as Fati played a one-two with Depay before hitting the return first time into the far corner.
It was quite a way for the young Spaniard to mark his first league match in the starting XI for 11 months.
He hadn’t finished there as a closely contested encounter went the way of the hosts five minutes before the break.
This time Fati was brought down recklessly by Gaya after some neat build-up play and Depay converted the resulting spot-kick, despite the protestations of the visitors.
An exciting and largely even contest was almost level again eight minutes after the restart but, after Goncalo Guedes had made space, Carlos Soler’ could only watch in frustration as his shot bounced off the post when it looked like he had drawn his side level
When Fati walked off shortly afterwards, it was to a Nou Camp ovation and totally expected as Koeman had said pre-match that the teenager wouldn’t be ready to play 90-minute multiple games in a row after such a lengthy lay-off.
His replacement didn’t do too badly either as Philippe Coutinho made the game safe.
After two crucial pieces of defending from Diakhaby, and a Maxi Gomez free-kick which was very close to levelling matters, Serginho Dest squared the ball to Coutinho who had time to swivel, pause and slot the ball past former Barcelona shot-stopper Jasper Cillessen.
There was still time for new signing Sergio Aguero to enter the fray for the closing minutes and make his first competitive appearance for the home side.
All in all, amid the troubled times, a good night for Barcelona.
Key statistics
Since February 2020, Fati has scored 11 goals with his last 16 shots on target (68.7% of conversion rate), the second-best percentage for a La Liga player after Cádiz’s Alex Fernández (75%).
Agüero has returned to the Spanish top-flight more than ten years since his last game (May 2011) when current team-mate Gavi was 6 years old.
Barcelona have lost just one of their last 11 league games against Valencia (won six, drawn four) – a 2-0 defeat in January 2020 under Quique Setien when Albert Celades was the opposition manager.
After earning 10 points out of the first 12 available this season, Valencia have earned just two from the last 15 on offer (drawn two, lost three).
What’s next?
Barca have a crucial week ahead.
Dynamo Kyiv are in Catalonia in the Champions League on Wednesday (October 20) before the first El Clasico of the new season next Sunday afternoon.
Valencia have no midweek fixture and entertain Mallorca next Saturday lunchtime in La Liga.
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