Match Review : FC Barcelona vs Valladolid (4-0)

After an exciting win against Real Sociedad, Barca was back again to continue the start of their La Liga campaign against Valladolid.

This match presented some challenges for Barca. Mostly in the form of Valladolid’s low defensive block. But optimism was high, and many thought Barca could still find a way to work through the defensive challenges Valladolid presented.

How did the action pan out? Let’s discuss.

First half

The last time Barca faced off against a club that employed a low defensive block, they struggled to consistently maneuver through the tight spaces and open up room in the final third.

That brought their ability to break down defenses into question, which isn’t ideal since a lot of the bottom tier clubs in La Liga employ low blocks in an attempt to scrape away points from opposing competition. So when Barca was met with the challenge of breaking down Valladolid’s low block, there was some understandable concern.

But as we saw in the first half — and pretty much throughout the rest of the match — concern was deemed useless, as Barca ran rampant within Valladolid’s defensive heavy approach.

Lewandowski and Dembele hit the post

As proof, just take a look at what Barca did within the first 25 minutes of the match. Within the first 22 minutes, Barca dominated possession and strangled the life out of Valladolid’s defense with technical excellence, precise passing, and intricate movement to open up opportunities for others.

These actions eventually all combined together to create some pretty scoring opportunities for Barca.

In the 12th minute, Robert Lewandowski almost got Barca on the score sheet first. He received a beautiful cross from Raphinha, and then proceeded to smash his header off the post. He tried to jump on the rebound, but his attempt was in vain.

So close from Lewandowski! 😲 pic.twitter.com/7l9iRhmc0g

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 28, 2022

10 minutes later, it was Ousmane Dembele who hit the post next. His rising shot tried to sneak into the top corner of the goal. But it glanced off the post and out of play.

Based on their threatening play, it seemed inevitable that Barca would score. They just needed that last bit of technical superiority to confirm their dominance and establish their presence on the score sheet. 2 minutes after Dembele’s attempt, they got that last bit they were so desperately searching for. And it came in the form of a fantastic link up between Lewandowski and Raphinha.

Lewandowski scores first

Raphinha started it off, with a gorgeous looking cross into the box. The ball bounced on the pitch just slightly, and right into the shooting pocket of Lewandowski. The Polish international then put his foot in the air, and nudged the ball into the back of the net with his spikes.

Barcelona mete el primer gol!

LEWANDOWSKI 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AWT0I1Eg6a

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 28, 2022

It was a beautiful goal, one that oozed of beauty and elegance from a striker that’s been the poster boy of those two adjectives for the majority of his historic career.

But it was only 1 goal, and Barca knew they needed more. Lewandowski’s goal was class, but it would be for naught if Barca couldn’t find another goal to extend their well deserved lead.

Pedri doubles Barca’s lead

In the 43rd minute, Barca got their second goal. And it came from a source that’s found a newfound level of enthusiasm for scoring.

After a pretty dribbling sequence by Dembele, he looked to pass. He laid the ball off for Pedri Gonzalez, who smashed a first time right footed shot into the back of the net.

Pedri passes one home for Barca 🤩 pic.twitter.com/1WZOmx2OXb

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 28, 2022

It was 2-0 Barca, a well deserved 2-0 lead as well. Barca was dominating the opposition, not just skating by. They looked motivated, in tune, and dangerous whenever they went on the offensive. And when they had to track back defensively, their work there was stellar as well.

It was a perfect first half, one that Barca desperately needed.

After the latest events, the first half came to a close.

Barca was winning comfortably, without any sort of resistance from Valladolid. However, more goals needed to be scored, and Barca knew that.

That’s why the second half presented a good opportunity for Barca. Not only to confirm their dominance with another 3 points. But to also find more success in the attacking phase that would build good habits for the future.

Did Barca succeed in doing that? Well, let’s just say there wasn’t too much of a difference in the second half, compared to the first half.

Second half

The second half saw Barca run on cruise control a little more. They were focused on retaining possession. While preventing Valladolid from establishing any presence in the attack as well.

Lewandowski scores again

In the 65th minute though, Barca found their 3rd goal of the match. It was an impressive one too, as Lewandowski tacked on another goal to give him his second of the match.

With Dembele on the run, he laid off a nice, subtle pass to the feet of Lewandowski. Lewandowski then took a touch, took a look at his options, then decided on his next course of action. What was that course of action? Oh, nothing more than a filthy back heel finish to extend Barca’s lead to 3-0.

BACKHEEL GOAL LEWANDOWSKI WOW 😱 pic.twitter.com/YVFXFfoi8F

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 28, 2022

Lewandowski was just showing off at this point. Which in turn gave the fans a top showing to witness and feel proud about.

It’s a good thing the fans got to see that too. As Barca further turned the cruise control dial to the right. They returned to their mentality of retaining possession and preventing any late shenanigans from Valladolid. They succeeded in doing so for the most part.

Aside from some shaky defensive moments that required Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to make some brilliant saves once again.

But for the most part, Barca remained relaxed, and focused on ending the match as soon as possible.

Roberto adds Barca’s fourth

Barca did add another goal in stoppage time. With Sergi Roberto pouncing on the rebound that came from a save from Valladolid keeper Jordi Masip.

Sergi Roberto puts the finishing touch on the Barcelona win 😤 pic.twitter.com/N274Y0fmqd

— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) August 28, 2022

After that goal though, it was smooth sailing for Barca. As they completed their successful weekend with a another win and another 4 goals on the score sheet.

Final word

Barca continued the form they found in the second half of last week’s win against Real Sociedad. They were clinical, ferocious, and extremely tenacious from the very beginning of the match.

That effort led to a nice 4-0 win, and another boost of confidence for a squad that’s on cloud nine right now. They’ll need that confidence to remain high as well. As Barca is set to endeavor on a pretty nasty stretch of matches that includes their first Champions League match of the 2022 campaign.

For now though, Barca will have to focus on their next match, which’ll come against a usually strong La Liga side that’s struggling to begin the season.