Match Review : Barcelona vs Valencia (7-1)

La Liga hasn’t been kind to Barca recently, with plenty of disappointing results as proof.

But Barca is still in the race for the league title, they just need start another run of positive results and pray the teams above drop points as well. Atletico Madrid dropped points yesterday and Madrid is bound to drop more points as well, Barca just needs to take care of business.

Their business started tonight against Valencia, a club Barca should beat.

So let’s see how Hansi Flick’s men fared.

First half

The first half was nothing short of a whirlwind for Barca.

Not only were they creating a load of chances, but they were converting them at an astonishing rate.

The goal party started early with Frenkie De Jong. De Jong received a pretty pass from Lamine Yamal and all De Jong had to do was place it into the back of the net and that he dod.

1-0.

5 minutes later, Ferran Torres made it 2-0 after his first time finish soared into the back of the net from close range. It wasa great ball as well, but Torres’s finish was quality and it deserved a goal.

2-0.

6 minutes later Barca found their third in the first half. It was initially good play between Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, before Lopez fired a ball towards the streaking Raphinha. Raphinha then collected the ball, rounded the keeper, and fired a right footed shot into the open net.

3-0.

It was just a complete onslaught early on and Valencia simply couldn’t handle it. Not a problem for Barca though, as they welcomed the goals and any more that might be in store.

Luckily for Barca, there were more goals in store, as Fermin Lopez added two goals of his own before the first half ended. His first was a result of a good run in behind then an eventual right footed finish into the back of the net. The second was his easiest of the night, as he scored on an open net due to Raphinha’s shot ringing off the bar and falling perfectly to Lopez’s feet.

4-0, then 5-0.

All before halftime.

Pretty good first half I’d say, with 5 goals netted in the first half and another half to go.

Let’s see how the second half fared.

Second half

The second half wasn’t any different.

Robert Lewandowski was subbed on and he scored a goal to give Barca their sixth of the match. This was after a Valencia goal to make it 5-1, but that didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

It was 6-1 and Barca could’ve held off the pressure a bit, but they remained aggressive and eventually got another goal to make it 7-1. This was a Valencia own goal, in the end though it counts the same as a goal scored by Barca themselves.

7-1, a ridiculous scoreline that Barca rightfully deserved.

The game ended at 7-1, no injuries occurred, and some of Barca’s more important bench pieces were able to boost their own confidence.

Job well done.

Final word

This was a win some of Barca’s less flashy names needed.

Fermin Lopez, Frenkie De Jong, both have had relatively down seasons so far. But they were able to really find some positivity today, which hopefully signals an upward swing in form during the second half of the season.

Other than that, good performance by everyone involved.

Barca’s next match

Barca’s next match is on Wednesday, as they close out the group stage of the Champions League.

See you all then!