FC Barcelona reclaimed second spot on the LaLiga table after defeating ten-man Valencia 4-2 on Monday night.
LaLiga
Result: Barcelona 4-2 TS Galaxy
Date: 29 April 2024
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Blaurgana manager Xavi Hernandez made just one change from the ElClasico loss last weekend, as Frenkie de Jong missed out through injury and was replaced by Fermin Lopez, while Pedri was only fit enough to make the bench.
The home fans would have been a bit happier coming to the clash following the news of Xavi deciding to change his mind about leaving at the end of the current season.
After a lively start, it was the Catalan giants who broke the deadlock after 22 minutes Raphinha did well to pick out Lopez, who nodded home from close range.
The lead did not last too long as Valencia were back on level terms five minutes later when Hugo Duro pounced on Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's horrible error and fired into an empty net for his 13th goal of the season.
The visiting side completed the turnaround seven minutes later as Pepelu converted from the penalty spot following Ronald Araujo's foul on Peter in the box.
However, the first half ended on a sour note for Valencia who were reduced to ten men after goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was shown a straight red for handling the ball outside of the box after a VAR review.
Barcelona were back on level terms four minutes after the break when Robert Lewandowski lost his marker and powered home a header from Ilkay Gundogan's corner for his 14th league goal of the campaign.
After Lewandowski squandered a chance just after the hour mark, Xavi responded with an attacking change for the home side as the influential Raphinha made way for Joao Felix on the left flank.
Barcelona got the winning goal with seven minutes left on the clock as Lewandowski completed his brace with another close-range finish from a corner to reclaim second spot on the table.
The night belonged to Lewandowski, who completed his hat-trick in second-half stoppage time with a lovely curling free-kick to round off the win.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
