RECORD⚡️LEWANG⚽ALSKI 👑
Clues were seeking successive wins in LaLiga; after posting a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend, Barcelona started the new season with four points from a possible six. This year, Xavi's men aim to live up to the acres of coverage generated by their recent transfer spree and regain the title, having finished 13 points adrift of champions Real Madrid last season. In their most recent run-out, the Blaugrana welcomed Manchester City to Catalonia for a friendly Wednesday, ending in a 3-3 draw.
Having finally managed to register recent signing Kounde for LaLiga action, the Frenchman made his debut at the heart of Barcelona's back four, with Andreas Christensen ruled out through illness. Xavi also altered the side that started against Real Sociedad by bringing Raphinha into the XI. At the same time, captain Busquets also featured from the first whistle, returning from suspension to anchor the hosts' midfield.
Yep, Jules Kounde in the starting XI pic.twitter.com/q1WARWgGjH
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 28, 2022
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde; Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi; Ousmane Dembele, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha.
SUBS: Arnau Tenas, Inaki Pena, Ferran Torres, Gerard Pique, Miralem Pjanic, Jordi Alba, Ansu Fati, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sergi Roberto, Memphis Depay, Franck Kessie, Frenkie de Jong.
👥 𝑿𝑰
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 28, 2022
⚽ #BarcaValladolid pic.twitter.com/LIrRUbphnR
Real Valladolid lost each of their last six LaLiga meetings with today's hosts, including a 1-0 defeat when the teams last met at Spotify Camp Nou in April 2021, and they have also suffered a sluggish start to the new season. The Albivioletas returned to the top flight at the first time of asking by finishing second in the Segunda Division, but have begun their comeback campaign by taking just a point from two tough fixtures against Villarreal and Sevilla.
Valladolid were without Jawad El Yamiq due to his red card against Sevilla last time out, so Fernandez was deputized in central defense; Shon Weissman and Gonzalo Plata remained out of action through injury. In their absence, Guardiola led the line-up front, having once represented Barcelona for less than a day back in 2015. Masip also returned to Camp Nou as the visitors' captain started for injured goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
REAL VALLADOLID (4-3-3): Jordi Masip; Luis Perez, Joaquin Fernandez, Javi Sanchez, Sergio Escudero; Alvaro Aguado, Monchu, Kike Perez; Ivan Sanchez, Sergi Guardiola, Anuar Mohamed.
SUBS: Alvaro Aceves, Oscar Plano, Lucas Olaza, Sekou Gassama, David Torres, Roque Mesa, Roberto Arroyo, Ivan Fresneda, Sergio Leon, Toni Villa.
El 1️⃣1️⃣ titular con el que salimos contra el @FCBarcelona_es.
— Real Valladolid C.F. (@realvalladolid) August 28, 2022
¡A por la victoria, equipo! 👊#AúpaPucela #BarçaRealValladolid pic.twitter.com/uY9DN5xKV5
Winning against Barcelona was a hard nut to crack. A draw would have been enough for them. But Barca continued to push forward and took the early initiative in this match, trying to keep a high tempo inside the visitors' half. For the umpteenth time, Raphinha created a chance by slinging in a left-footed cross from the right; on this occasion, finding Lewandowski at the far post. The veteran striker did what he does best and guided the ball into the back of the net from a yard out! It had been coming for quite a while, but there's the opener! BARCA BREAKTHROUGH! The Blaugrana lead 1-0!!!
𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 😍 pic.twitter.com/7mzro1Gmfy
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 28, 2022
With his brace against Real Sociedad, 34-year-old Lewandowski became the oldest Barcelona player to score twice in the exact LaLiga match since the turn of the century. Now, with another goal today, he could improve that record. He was definitely on that hunt.
Valladolid were totally penned into their defensive third, they wanted to win, but they put the miracle behind in order to save the day from being awkward. But things always don’t go as planned when you face mighty Barcelona.
PEDRI STRIKES! After some slick work from Dembele on the right, which ended with a tidy pass across the box, Pedri stepped forth to sweep the ball home for Barca's second goal. Masip had no chance, as the young midfield maestro crashed the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards out!
ℙ𝕖𝕕𝕣𝕚 pic.twitter.com/Nl8lAwyRGP
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 28, 2022
Barcelona killed the game before the interval by dominating both possession and territory - and creating numerous chances with some slick passages of play. Their wingers have been unstoppable at times, with the Valladolid defense clearly terrified of the pace and guile of Dembele and Raphinha, and the hosts have faced little threat at the other end.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
Dembele's contribution to that game grew further as the winger glided inside from the right and played in Lewandowski. A typical touch of class from arch-predator Lewandowski, who slotted a back-heel through the defender's legs and past Masip into the bottom-left corner! What a finish to a swift move - that's 3-0 to the Blaugrana, and game over!
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
It’s been only a few matches, and Robert LewanG⚽alski created a history for centuries, and that guy didn’t even take long to stretch that record. I was sure
LEWANG⚽ALSKIhttps://t.co/XCGTBluR5U
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 29, 2022
Barcelona have won each of their last eight LaLiga home games against Valladolid, averaging more than three goals per game during that run. Following Lewandowski's second strike, they've managed to keep up with that rate.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
Extra time was too much extra pain for Valladolid as they conceded once again. 4-0! Despite a magnificent close-range save by Masip, who tipped a goalbound shot from hat-trick seeker Lewandowski onto the bar, the ball bounced out into the path of Sergio Roberto, who calmly guided it home from 10 yards! That capped an excellent game for the home side.
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
Valladolid coach Pacheta's long winless run against Barca is set to continue today: not only will he have lost both of his games as a manager against them in LaLiga, as a player, he never beat the Blaugrana either (P12 D6 L6).
🅢🅞🅤🅡🅒🅔
After another impressive victory today, Barcelona face a severe test of their credentials as title challengers when they travel to Sevilla next weekend, shortly before kicking off their Champions League campaign at home to Czech champions Viktoria Plzen.
HIGHLIGHTS
Barça 4-0 Valladolid #LaLigaHighlights@LaLiga pic.twitter.com/JZNLOH03iZ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 30, 2022
Relieved that Valladolid’s tough start to the fixture list is now at an end, they host Almeria next time out.
🔊 KOUNDE:
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 29, 2022
❝ Good night, culers. I'm really happy for my debut! Thank you all for the warm welcome, and let's go for more! ❞ pic.twitter.com/84muQYEIaD
On his debut, Kounde has been able to concentrate on supporting Barca's attacking efforts by bombing down the right flank and already seems an excellent fit for the Xavi revolution. The France international's versatility could prove very useful in more challenging games, including against his former employers next week.
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Lewandowski is showing his class in La Liga too. Though, I would love to see him in EPL. Still, it's good to see his irresistible performance in La Liga ⚡⚡
I don't think we will see him in EPL. He is already 34. Both presidents of Elclasico is too clever. Perez helped Laporta in order to create this rivalry between Lewandowski and Benzema to shift all the focus.