Barcelona cruise to victory over Valladolid

Xavi's side made light work of Valladolid in a La Liga encounter at the Camp Nou. Barcelona, who started with the newly registered Jules Kounde, dominated from start to finish and Valladolid were unable to cope with them. Lewandowski scored after the hosts had been denied by the woodwork twice and then Pedri got the second just before the break. A Joaquin Fernandez own goal in the 65th minute killed off any remote hopes of a Valladolid comeback in this one sided contest before Sergi Roberto netted in the closing stages.

The hosts started strongly winning a multitude of corners and in the 12th minute, Barcelona were so unlucky not to be in front. Raphinha played a lovely cross to the Pole and his header struck the post before hitting goalkeeper Masip on the back and rolling along the line, but not over it. 

Xavi's men kept the pressure on and won over 10 corners in the first half, but they were denied by the post again. After 22 minutes, Lewandowski left a defender on the floor and then laid off for Dembele whose effort cannoned off the crossbar. It was only a matter of time before Barca found the breakthrough and they got it moments later. Raphinha once again put a ball to the far post, the ball bounced on its way to Lewandowski and the former Bayern man stuck his foot up in the air to tap home from close range. 

Barca continued to press and Dembele tested Masip before Pedri made it two just before the interval after Dembele cut inside and passed to the Spaniard in the middle of the box and he guided the ball into Masip's bottom left hand corner. That saw Barca go into the dressing rooms 2-0 up against a Valladolid team who were restricted to just one or two half chances in the first half and it was a long way back for them. 

 

August 28, 2022

The home side remained dominant in the second period and the corners kept on coming while Valladolid were unable to create anything of note. With 25 minutes, Barcelona got a third to put the game beyond doubt when Dembele found Lewandowski and his backheel deflected off Joaquin and into the goal. 

Valladolid nearly got a consolation, but Oscar Plano saw his effort cleared off the line by Kounde. Roque Mesa was also denied by the goalkeeper while Anuar also had a very clear opportunity, but he blazed over the bar.

As for Barca, Ansu Fati came on as a second half subsititute and he forced a save out of Masip in the 72nd minute while Dembele also struck the sidenetting, but there was time for Lewandowski to score again. Ferran Torres played a ball to Lewandowski in the middle, Masip saved his effort onto the bar and Sergi Roberto tapped in the rebound to round off a comfortable win.