LaLiga champions FC Barcelona suffered back-to-back defeats after going down 3-1 to Real Valladolid on Tuesday evening.
LaLiga
Report: Real Valladolid 1-3 FC Barcelona
Date: 23 May 2023
Venue: Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla
Xavi Hernandez rang the changes following Blaugrana's loss to Real Sociedad over the weekend, as Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto, Gavi and Pablo Torre were recalled to the starting line-up.
The home side got off to a perfect start as they were gifted the opening goal after just two minutes when Andreas Christensen diverted Darwin Machis' cross into his own net.
Barcelona went close to pulling themselves on level terms through Raphinha, who cut inside from the right and drilled a strike towards the near post, but goalkeeper Jordi Masip got down to make a good save.
However, Valldolid would go on to win a penalty against the run of play after Eric Garcia had brought down Gonzalo Plata in the box, which allowed Cyle Larin to step up and send Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way to double the lead.
Masip ensured the hosts went into the break with a healthy advantage, as he produced a couple point-blank saves, including a great reaction to Christensen's towering header.
Catalans tactician Xavi responded with a change at the start of the second half, with Sergi Roberto and Ter Stegen making way for Ivory Coast international Frank Kessie and Inaki Pena.
However, Barcelona struggled to carve out any serious openings in the final despite enjoying a lion's share of the possession and they were prone to Valladolid's counter attacks.
Things got worse for the visitors in the 75th minute when the home side got the third goal as Larin managed to run clear of Garcia before teeing up Plata for the close range finish, which was approved by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Barcelona did manage to pull one back with seven minutes on the clock as Frenkie de Jong played in Robert Lewandowski, who rounded the goalkeeper before firing home from a tight angle.
Lewandowski's strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Valladolid climbed out of the relegation with a vital win.
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