FC Barcelona didn’t give FC Valencia a chance on this 4th matchday of La Liga, clipping the wings of the Bats especially after the break. Among others, Lewandowski contributed to the clear 6-0 victory.
Because FC Barcelona had still not received approval for the long-renovated Camp Nou and the Olympic Stadium, which is normally used as a venue, was also out of the question due to a recent concert by US artist Post Malone, the Catalans had to play FC Valencia in the small Estadi Johan Cruyff.
FCB coach Hansi Flick had to do without his star player Lamine Yamal, who had been injured in the recent 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano. The 18-year-old international had returned injured after Spain’s European Championship qualifiers (3-0 against Bulgaria and 6-0 in Turkey) – Flick’s explanation included: “Spain gave him painkillers and even let him play when they were in the lead. That’s not caring for the players. I’m very sad about that.”
Agirrezabala prevents worse
The good thing from Flick’s point of view, at least, was that his protégés, led by new signing Bardghji (from FC Copenhagen), who was playing in attack for the first time, immediately made their mark on the game against Valencia, who had made a decent start with four points from three games. The home side from Catalonia applied pressure, generated an incredible amount of possession and also created some promising chances.
Initially, however, Barcelona only managed to score one goal – the 1-0 by Fermin, who scored after an outstanding outside-of-the-foot pass from Ferran Torres (29th minute).
Otherwise, FCB repeatedly lacked the final idea to score more goals, and Agirrezabala stood in their way several times. The goalkeeper was arguably the only professional player for the Bats who put up a fight that evening.
Substitutes and double goalscorers among themselves
In the second half, however, even Agirrezabala was no longer an obstacle for the hosts, who continued to play with enthusiasm and now also showed clinical finishing. Raphinha, who had only come on at the start of the second half, took advantage of a defensive error to make it 2-0 (53′), before Fermin, who scored twice, fired a shot from distance just wide of the left post (56′).
The score was then made 4-0 with a second goal from Raphinha, who this time capitalized on a misunderstanding between two opponents (66′). The final touches were reserved for another substitute – Lewandowski. The former Dortmund and Munich player first slammed the ball into the net from the underside of the crossbar (76th minute), then in the final minutes, the Pole also chipped the ball finely into the opponent’s goal (86th minute) – becoming the third player to score twice for the Blaugrana on this successful evening in the small alternative stadium. A few more goals would have been possible.
In any case, with this resounding victory, FC Barcelona kept their perfectly started rivals Real Madrid (2-1 at Real Sociedad San Sebastian) within striking distance – two points behind – and also showed themselves to be ready for the Champions League season, which is now beginning. The Catalans have to start here at Newcastle (Thursday, 9 p.m.).