Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s LIVE coverage of the La Liga game between Barcelona and Valencia.
Two points dropped would have been costly for the Catalans today. The win draws it level on points with leader Real Madrid which will face Girona on Sunday. The next match for Barcelona is against Almeria. Valencia loses its 5th match of the season and drops a place to 10th in the points table. Real Sociedad awaits next.
There were a couple of scuffles between the two teams in the closing moments of the game, and which take up the remaining time that was added. It was Lewandowski who managed to pull off a three point heist at Mestalla. It was a cagey match for the most part, but Barcelona was the team that missed the chances. But, Xavi will take the win, however it may come. The Mestalla crowd continues to boo the away team following the closing whistle. What will concern Xavi though, will be the injuries to Kounde and Eric Garcia.
90+3’ Valencia 0-1 Barcelona - Lewandowski
Lewandowski!!! That’s heartbreak for Valencia, and jubilation for Barcelona!
Another yellow card for a Barcelona player. This time Pique stops Marcos Andre in his tracks and is warned by the referee.
Pedri is dispossessed by Gaya on the right wing. The 4th official has raised the board for six minutes of stoppage time.
Not one, Barcelona missed two chances within seconds. First, Ferran Torres mishits a cross from Pedri. The ball pops up in front Raphinha who has to place it into an empty goal, as Mamardashvili is down on the ground. Gavi also wants to have a shot, and in the end the two players end up colliding. The ball goes flying into the stands.
A yellow card for Guillamon. He brought down Raphinha off the ball as Barcelona was launching on a counter attack.
A scrappy passage of play. Both teams have failed to make any useful chances. It’s been dull for the past ten minutes. There have been corners and penetrations into the penalty area, but the decision making in the final third has been poor. From both teams.
Another change for Valencia
In - Vazquez
Out - Correia
In - Pique
Out - Kounde
Changes for Valencia
In - Lato, Castillejo
Out - Kluivert, Almeida
Yellow card for Lino! Barcelona wins a corner but Lino is convinced that the last touch came off a Barca player. He shouts at the assistant referee and is cautioned.
Barcelona with patient build up. The ball was in control of the visiting team for more than a minute. Alonso tries to release Torres from the back and ends up sending the ball for a goal kick. It has been a frustrating night for Xavi and his team.
Another corner for Barcelona. Gavi gets the long ball inside the Valencia penalty area. He is wrestled off the ball but still manages to win a corner. Yet again, Barcelona fails to make use of the set piece.
Barcelona gets a corner. Lewandowski plays the ball down right to Raphinha. The Brazilian is fighting to get to the ball but is able sneak in a shot and win a corner. The set piece is wasted by Barcelona. Poor delivery!
Three changes for Barcelona.
In - Torres, Raphinha, Gavi
Out - Fati, Dembele, Busquets
Another chance for Fati! Frenki darts ahead from the midfield and plays a through ball to Fati on the left. Fati has the angle against him and is only able to hit it with his left foot. The ball goes wide.
Valencia’s goal ruled out by VAR! Oh that’s poor from Andre. Lino scored off a cross from the right flank. Valencia starts celebrating but Barcelona players continue to protest. VAR check confirms that before the ball went to Lino, Andre hit the ball with an outstretched hand on the near post.
Pedri and Dembele work a move. Pedri plays from the centre to Dembele on the right. Dembele feeds it back to the midfielder. Pedri, inside the penalty area now, squares the ball but a Valencia player gets a deflection and Mamardashvili collects the ball.
We’re off at the Mestalla for the 2nd period with the hang perfectly poised.
The last touch of the half comes from Gabriel who heads the ball from a corner. The shot is aimed at the far post but the shot goes wide. Barcelona would surely be upset for not having converted its chances. Fati has looked lively but has not converted the chances he got. Lewandowski too came close but his header rammed into the post. For Valencia, Lino took the shot on target in the very first minute of the game. Since then, the side has failed to create threatening attacks.
Lewandowski strikes the bar! That was so close from going into the net. The ball is sent in from the left wing and Lewandowski towers up in the air to connect with the ball. The ball hits the far post and goes wide on the right wing.
Eric Garcia is substituted off the pitch with an injury. Marcos Alonso replaces him.
Kounde with a goal saving interception. That was supremely timed. Kluivert makes Eric Garcia looks stupid as he slithers past him. He then has sights on the run of Foulquier and plays the ball to him. Kounde spots the danger and slides in the divert the ball from its tracks.
Fati is exploding into attacks on the left wing. he first gets a pass from ter Stegen which puts him in position to play a ball to Lewandowski in the box. A last ditch tackle from Gabriel prevents the ball reaching Lewa. He then beats Gaya on the same side and plays in a cross. The ball, however, goes out of play.
Correia plays a long ball down the right wing for Kluivert. The ball is a teaser but ter Stegen steps off his line in time and collects the ball before the Dutch forward can get to it.
Dembele gets to a ball near the right touchline. He sees Lewandowski and Fati in the six-yard box and crosses in. Fati heads the ball, but it goes over. The ball would’ve sat better for Lewandowski behind him.
Frenkie De Jong is around 25 yards away from the goal and he decides to shoot. The shot whizzes past Valencia defenders and wide off the left post of the goal.
Fati’s goal is ruled offside! Lewandowski is about to entre the Valencia penalty area from the centre when Gabriel’s clearance hits Lewa and falls into the way of Fati. He puts it home but turns back to see the flag raised.
Eric Garcia has been booked. He was pulling Andre’s shirt as he set off on an attack.
Dembele receives a ball from Balde down the right wing, and the Frenchman goes for a first-time cross. The balls lands straight into the hands of the keeper.
Cavani has to leave the pitch as he has a problem with his leg. Marcos Andre replaces him.
Barcelona mount a threat as Lewa wins the ball from Correia. He plays it to Fati who tries to dodge his way past a Valencia defender. That turns out to be a wrong decision as the ball is stolen off him. Lewandowski is trying to get to the loose ball but the assistant deems him offside.
Fati denied! Pedri is darting forward with the ball when he sees Fati moving in behind. Fati receives the ball and Mamardashvili decides to step out of his goal. The forward tries a chip and the Valencia keeper is up for the save.
Foulquier is trying to get to a ball that he lost control of, and in process he fouls Jordi Alba. Free Kick to Barcelona in Valencia’s half.
Valencia is building an attack when Cavani tries a through ball to Foulquier on the right wing. Jordi Alba stays alert and is able to clear the ball.
Dembele gets the ball on the half way line and charges towards the Valencia goal. Closer to the penalty area, he tries to cut inside where Correia wins the ball from him.
Barcelona almost capitalise on a miss placed pass by Mamardashvili. Fati has a chance to take a shot but misses the timing on the ball. Valencia shirts pounce on the mistake get rid of the danger.
Jordi Alba tries to feed Ansu Fati down the left flank, but the left put too much power behind the overhead pass and Valencia can price out a goal kick.
Valencia gets the ball rolling from the centre circle. An immediate entry into the Barca box and Lino forces a save from ter Stegen.
Former Barcelona and Valencia striker David Villa takes the honorary first kick at the ball today, as the clubs pay tribute to his career.
The players are waiting in the tunnel. Moments to go before the match gets underway at Mestalla.
The Uruguayan forward will be pivotal for Valencia if it has to beat Barcelona. Cavani has so far scored only four goals in La Liga in six appearances.
The last match between the two teams ended 4-1 in favour of Barcelona. Aubameyang struck twice as the Catalans went home with three points from the Mestalla.
Of the last 15 meetings at Valencia’s home, Barcelona has won seven and drawn seven games. It has lost just one game.
Valencia: Mamardashvili - Correia, Paulista, Comert, Gaya - Guillamon, Almeida, Foulquier - Lino, Cavani, Kluivert
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde - Busquets, De Jong, Pedri - Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati
PREVIEW
Barcelona has bounced back after its 3-1 loss to Real Madrid. It beat Villarreal 3-0 followed by a 4-0 win against Athletic Bilbao.
The mood at Camp Nou, however, has been dampened by the team’s early exit from the UEFA Champions League. To add to the misery, it was beaten yet again by Bayern Munich.
For Xavi & Co, the La Liga is the only way to win the confidence back, as it sits just three points off leader Real Madrid.
Valencia has been going through a lean patch of form under Gennaro Gattuso. It has just one win in the last five games and sits 9th in the table with just 15 points.
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
Played: 57 | Valencia: 12 | Barcelona: 29 | Draw: 16
Valencia vs Barcelona - Last 5 matches
Valencia 1-4 Barcelona
Barcelona 3-1 Valencia
Valencia 2-3 Barcelona
Barcelona 2-2 Valencia
Valencia 2-0 Barcelona
PREDICTED XI
Valencia: Mamardashvili - Correia, Paulista, Guillamon, Gaya - Musah, Almeida, Foulquier - Lino, Cavani, Kluivert
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Bellerin, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde - Gavi, De Jong, Pedri - Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati
WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH
Where will the Valencia vs Barcelona match be played?
The match will be played at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia.
When will the Valencia vs Barcelona match kick-off?
The match will kick-off at 12:30 AM IST.
Where will the match be shown on TV in India?
The match will be telecasted live on the Sports 18 in India.
How can I watch the live streaming of the match?
The match will be streamed live on Voot Select app and website.
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