
By Martin Graham | twenty seventh Jan 2025
Barcelona secured a convincing victory over Valencia to snap their four-game winless run in La Liga. The Catalan giants delivered a dominant efficiency, fueled by a brace and two assists from Fermin Lopez.
Lightning begin units the tone
Barcelona wasted no time asserting their dominance. Frenkie de Jong opened the scoring within the second minute, driving a low shot into the underside nook. Ferran Torres quickly doubled the lead with a composed end, and Raphinha added a 3rd simply 14 minutes in, capitalizing on a one-on-one likelihood earlier than slotting the ball into the empty internet.
Lopez’s distinctive first-half efficiency started with an excellent management and end from a protracted ball excessive, extending the lead additional. His second got here simply earlier than halftime, reacting rapidly to bury the rebound after Raphinha’s strike rattled the crossbar.
Valencia discover comfort, however Barca dominate
Valencia managed a response by way of Hugo Duro, who transformed Diego Lopez’s cross simply earlier than the hour mark. Nonetheless, substitute Robert Lewandowski added Barcelona’s sixth with a scientific end, marking his seventeenth league aim of the marketing campaign. The scoring was capped off with an personal aim from Cesar Tarrega, sealing Barcelona’s largest league victory since their 7-0 conquer Actual Valladolid in August 2024.
Hansi Flick’s facet proceed to impress
This emphatic win adopted Barcelona’s dramatic 5-4 conquer Benfica within the Champions League earlier within the week. Beneath Hansi Flick, Barcelona have scored 100 targets in simply 32 matches, making him the second-fastest supervisor to realize this milestone with the membership, trailing solely Helenio Herrera in 1959.
Barcelona stay third in La Liga, seven factors behind leaders Actual Madrid. In the meantime, Valencia, led by former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, proceed to wrestle in nineteenth place. Up subsequent for Barcelona is a Champions League conflict with Atalanta on Wednesday, with their development to the final 16 already confirmed.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author