Barcelona 4-2 Valencia (29 Apr, 2024) Game Analysis

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick within the second half to assist his facet battle again to say a hard-fought 4-2 win on Monday over guests Valencia, who have been main 2-1 after they have been lowered to 10 males simply earlier than the break.

With 5 video games remaining, Barca moved again to second in LaLiga on 73 factors as they leapfrogged shock package deal Girona, who’re third with 71.

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These two groups will meet in a Catalonia derby on Saturday which may determine a top-two LaLiga end and a spot within the Spanish Tremendous Cup.

Barcelona’s win postponed for a few weeks Actual Madrid’s nearly inevitable LaLiga title celebrations as Carlo Ancelotti’s facet sit atop the standings on 84 factors.

Valencia keep eighth on 47 factors, two factors behind Actual Betis and 4 off Actual Sociedad within the battle for a European qualifying spot.

In Barca’s first recreation since boss Xavi Hernandez stated he was reversing his resolution to step down on the finish of the season, they struggled on a moist floor after heavy rain turned the match right into a frantic tussle marked by goalkeeping errors.

The guests wasted a sitter from close-range by means of Peter Federico early after which allowed Fermín López to move dwelling from a Raphinha cross to place Barca in entrance after 22 minutes.

However Valencia’s Hugo Duro struck within the twenty seventh, profiting from an error by keeper Marc-André ter Stegen who tried to chip a clearance from the sting of the field however as a substitute gifted the ball for the striker to equalise into the empty web.

One other mistake by Barca’s defence 11 minutes later noticed Ronald Araújo bundle over Federico and Pepelu transformed the penalty to offer the guests the lead.

Nonetheless, Valencia have been quickly right down to 10 males when keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili dealt with as he raced outdoors his space simply earlier than the break and was proven a crimson card because the final man.

He failed to manage a again go and stopped the ball along with his arm to cease Lamine Yamal operating by means of on the empty aim.

Barca piled on the stress after halftime and Valencia crumbled, with Lewandowski scoring with two headers from corners within the forty ninth and 82nd earlier than netting a free-kick in added time.

“It wasn’t simple… Within the first half we did not have a lot house,” Poland striker Lewandowski informed DAZN. “However the necessary factor is that we’re Barca and we all know that, though we conceded two objectives, we are able to rating three and 4 objectives.

“We knew we needed to play with endurance within the second half. We’re good now and now we have to consider Girona.”

Lewandowski is now fourth-top scorer in LaLiga on 16 objectives, one behind Actual Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Villarreal’s Alexander Sorloth and three off Girona’s Artem Dovbyk.

“I’m actually pleased for Robert [Lewandowski] as a result of he’s a spectacular participant who works terribly laborious,” Xavi stated.

“He’s the staff’s aim scorer. He’s an instance within the dressing room, a pacesetter by way of how he works. He exhibits need, character, braveness…That is why he has scored a hat-trick as we speak. I’m very pleased for him.”