Real Valladolid 0-3 Barcelona - Lineups/Stats La Liga Fixtures, Results
Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points with a routine victory over hard-working Real Valladolid. Xavi and Dani Alves scored a brace of goals within two minutes to put the game beyond Valladolid, andLionel Messi completed the scoring in the second half.
The visitors started at a rapid pace and had won a corner after 15 seconds, but los Pucelanos were hassling and harrying to deny them time on the ball. Victor Valdes was forced into action early on after Diego Costa had won a free kick on the right wing, and the keeper cleared the danger well.
After 10 minutes, Justo Villar made a good save to tip Lionel Messi's shot behind for a corner as the Blaugrana pressed forwards, but Valladolid were giving as good as they were getting.
Costa held off Pique to strike a low shot to Valdes' right in the 18th minute, but he was able to divert it behind for a corner. However, just as the hosts were really threatening, Barcelona took the lead.
The Blaugrana counter-attacked with speed and precision as Dani Alves was set free on the right hand side, and Xavi burst into the penalty area to volley home spectacularly for his first league goal of the season.
Incredibly, the lead was doubled less than 90 seconds later. Dani Alves' cross was meant for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but instead it looped over Villar and into the far corner. It was a hammer blow for los Blanquivioletas, who would have been pleased with their opening 20 minutes.
It was nearly 3-0 in the 28th minute as Messi danced his way past two players in the penalty area but Cesar Arzo made a crucial tackle to prevent the Argentine from advancing any further. The Blaugrana were now far more comfortable in possession and were able to press a higher line as Valladolid came to terms with the scoreline.
As the half wore on, Barcelona looked happy to hold onto the ball and make the hosts work hard to try and win possession back. On the rare occasion that los Pucelanos were able to get beyond the halfway line, a loose touch often let them down.
They were given a golden chance in the 43rd minute whenGerard Pique was booked for a deliberate handball on the very edge of the penalty area. Borja Fernandez blasted the free kick straight at Valdes, who parried it back into the danger zone but the ball was eventually cleared and the half ended 2-0.
Dani Alves continued to be a threat on the right hand side after the break and sent in another testing ball in the 49th minute, but Andres Iniesta couldn't hit the target with his effort. In the 56th minute, Alves crossed forThierry Henry but Villar saved the Frenchman's acrobatic overhead kick.
Moments later, Villar was beaten for a third time. Alves sent a ball in for Ibrahimovic, who laid the ball back for Messi to guide into the far corner.
Valladolid weren't giving up, however, and Valdes had to be alert to save Arzo's effort from a 59th minute corner.
Gabriel Milito was granted some much needed playing time as he replaced Pique on the hour. Henry had a couple of opportunities to add to the Blaugrana's lead before Messi shot wide, and Barcelona were starting to turn the screw on the demoralised home side.
With 20 minutes to go, Messi showed superb strength to hold onto the ball before setting up Ibrahimovic on the right hand side of the box, but Villar saved the Swede's low shot well.
As the clock ticked down, the hosts were still looking for the goal they deserved but were unable to penetrate the Barcelona backline. Villar nearly gifted the Blaugrana a fourth when he passed the ball straight to Messi, but the Argentine was taken unawares and the ball ricocheted back to the grateful Paraguayan stopper.
Barcelona saw out two minutes of injury time to complete the victory and remain unbeaten at the halfway point of the season - which no other Barcelona side has done - while also extending their lead at the top of the table.
Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points with a routine victory over hard-working Real Valladolid. Xavi and Dani Alves scored a brace of goals within two minutes to put the game beyond Valladolid, and
The visitors started at a rapid pace and had won a corner after 15 seconds, but los Pucelanos were hassling and harrying to deny them time on the ball. Victor Valdes was forced into action early on after Diego Costa had won a free kick on the right wing, and the keeper cleared the danger well.
After 10 minutes, Justo Villar made a good save to tip Lionel Messi's shot behind for a corner as the Blaugrana pressed forwards, but Valladolid were giving as good as they were getting.
Costa held off Pique to strike a low shot to Valdes' right in the 18th minute, but he was able to divert it behind for a corner. However, just as the hosts were really threatening, Barcelona took the lead.
The Blaugrana counter-attacked with speed and precision as Dani Alves was set free on the right hand side, and Xavi burst into the penalty area to volley home spectacularly for his first league goal of the season.
Incredibly, the lead was doubled less than 90 seconds later. Dani Alves' cross was meant for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but instead it looped over Villar and into the far corner. It was a hammer blow for los Blanquivioletas, who would have been pleased with their opening 20 minutes.
It was nearly 3-0 in the 28th minute as Messi danced his way past two players in the penalty area but Cesar Arzo made a crucial tackle to prevent the Argentine from advancing any further. The Blaugrana were now far more comfortable in possession and were able to press a higher line as Valladolid came to terms with the scoreline.
As the half wore on, Barcelona looked happy to hold onto the ball and make the hosts work hard to try and win possession back. On the rare occasion that los Pucelanos were able to get beyond the halfway line, a loose touch often let them down.
They were given a golden chance in the 43rd minute when
Dani Alves continued to be a threat on the right hand side after the break and sent in another testing ball in the 49th minute, but Andres Iniesta couldn't hit the target with his effort. In the 56th minute, Alves crossed for
Moments later, Villar was beaten for a third time. Alves sent a ball in for Ibrahimovic, who laid the ball back for Messi to guide into the far corner.
Valladolid weren't giving up, however, and Valdes had to be alert to save Arzo's effort from a 59th minute corner.
With 20 minutes to go, Messi showed superb strength to hold onto the ball before setting up Ibrahimovic on the right hand side of the box, but Villar saved the Swede's low shot well.
As the clock ticked down, the hosts were still looking for the goal they deserved but were unable to penetrate the Barcelona backline. Villar nearly gifted the Blaugrana a fourth when he passed the ball straight to Messi, but the Argentine was taken unawares and the ball ricocheted back to the grateful Paraguayan stopper.
Barcelona saw out two minutes of injury time to complete the victory and remain unbeaten at the halfway point of the season - which no other Barcelona side has done - while also extending their lead at the top of the table.
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