Barcelona follows the suffering, but does not give in

Against Valencia, Barcelona took another step towards the championship title. Xavi’s team at Camp Nou prevailed minimally and demanded minutes in a match in which they did not show their best edition again, but in which they did not need it. Raphinha’s goal in the first half was enough, despite Araujo’s dismissal in the second and the missed penalty denied to Ferran, to get the three points that allow us to restore good dynamics in the domestic championship and relax another week in the calendar. in search of a title.

Wrap up the style discussion with a straw. This has been Xavi’s obsession since the game ended at the Bernabéu, and it was evident before kick-off with a penalty that was a statement of intent. The one from Tarrasa forgot about 4-4-2 and continued the classic 4-3-3 culé, with Busquets and De Jong in the engine room and a new trident in which Raphinha, Ferran and Ansu Fati had one more check to take a step forward. Xavi’s plan, which expected him to dominate the ball against a reclusive rival, was initially a predictable idea for Valencia. Rubén Baraja gave up yards, reduced space and showed in the early stages that he has enough attacking weapons to intimidate. That hopeful start summed up what the Valencians have been this season, a team that shows the way but takes one hit after another when least expected.

On this occasion, the shot was directly in the chin and came in an isolated game after the first quarter of an hour. Busquets caught the opposing defense offside and fed a measured ball to Raphinha for the Brazilian to score the first goal after a miss from Mamardashvili. That goal was a prelude to what was to follow. Valencia had clay feet, and Barça al trantrán had two good chances at the feet of Raphinha and Ferran, who this time managed to prevent the Georgian goalkeeper. There were two sparks in the first half in a slow rhythm in which the Culés did not find the fluidity of past years and in which they had time to catch their breath after two blocked shots from Correia and Lin.

Ansu Fati, lazy again

After the restart, Xavi picked up his pace. He introduced Kessié, more of a reach, in place of De Jong and switched positions to Ansu Fati and Ferran so the former City man could have the overflow he showed against Cádiz. The move could have turned out very well if it weren’t for the little things that caused Militão to score an own goal, which have now, however, turned against him. The stick prevented Ferran from the penalty spot. and Ansu Fati extended their lease with an associative move, and immediately after that there was an unfortunate move that ended with the exclusion of Araujo. The Uruguayan centre-back had no choice but to grab Hugo Dura to prevent him from heading towards Ter Stegen after Koundé’s poor transfer.

It was only five dizzying minutes that completely changed the schedule of the clash. Barça mutated into an attacking team at the Bernabéu, while Valencia did the opposite, turning in search of the goal that would allow them to change their history this season. In this scenario, the towers moved better. Xavi organized an improvised 4-3-2, bringing Marcos Alonso in place of Ansu, gray again, and thus protected the team that managed to suffer the least. Baraja’s team tried, but ran into the order of Barcelona, ​​which already knows how to change records and which, little by little, with a score of 1-0, continues to approach its priority goal.

Technical document

Barcelona (1): Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, Busquets, Sergi Roberto (Eric García, min 81), Frenkie de Jong (Kessié, min 46), Raphinha (Alarcón, min 87), Ansu Fati (Marcos Alonso, min 61) and Ferran Torres.

Valencia (0): Mamardashvili, Correia (Castillejo, min 62), Cenk, Cömert (Diakhaby, min 55), Jesús Vázquez, Hugo Guillamón, Ilaix Moriba (Fran Pérez, min 62), Almeida (Musah, min 78), Foulquier, Samuel Lino (Kluivert ), min. 78) and Hugo Duro.

Goals: 1-0, min 15: Raphinha.

Referee: Alberola Rojas (Castilian-La Mancha Committee). He excluded Araujo (min. 59).

Incidents: The match was played at Camp Nou in front of 89,644 spectators.