Robert Lewandowski, scorer against Valladolid. CESAR MANSO / AFP
Real Valladolid won 3-1 on their home turf against FC Barcelona and took an important step towards retention. Second defeat in a row for the Blaugranas of Xavi.
Purring. FC Barcelona bows heavily on the lawn of Real Valladolid (1-3), the first victory of the blanquivioletas since April 22 (against Gijon), the locals have had five consecutive defeats. For their part, already champion of Spain, FC Barcelona ends its season without forcing. After losing to Real Sociedad at home on the last day, Xavi’s men are doing it again with another setback against relegated Valladolid.
From the start of the match, the locals raced in the lead, Darwin Machis sent a marvelous cross cut by the unfortunate Andreas Christensen who deceived his own goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen (2nd). Paulo Pezzolano’s players quickly announced the color to the Catalans who were hoping for a quiet match. The whites and purples pressed high and systematically attacked the ball carrier. Home striker Cyle Larin quickly doubled the bet from the penalty spot (22nd). A penalty caused by the excellent Gonzalo Plata, untenable throughout the meeting.
In the second act, Xavi offered his first minutes in La Liga this season to second goalkeeper Inaki. The second half did not smile on the Barcelonans either, the many entries (Dembélé, Ferran Torres…) did not animate the offensive sector of the Catalans completely at a standstill. The helpless Spanish champions sank at the end of the game, leaving Valladolid to dictate the law and score a third goal through the Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata (73rd). The addition could have been tougher, but Inaki Pena seemed blessed, the Spaniard was saved by his uprights twice.
At the end of the match, the Polish genius Robert Lewandowski reduced the gap by scoring a superb goal (84th).
Relegated at the start of the game, Real Valladolid temporarily left the red zone and gave themselves some air with three important points in the race to maintain. Despite its new disappointment, the fate of FC Barcelona remains unchanged with a place of champion and 85 points at stake.
