Valladolid 0-1 Barcelona match report: LaLiga Santander

Valladolid vs Barcelona: match report

Barcelona pick up their second three points in matchday 2 of LaLiga 2018/19 against a hard-working Valladolid side that almost snatched a point at the death. As it was, a strike from Ousmane Dembele was the difference, although a terrible pitch also made its mark.

An enjoyable first half came to an end with no goals but several chances created. Barça controlled most of the play, but the clear tactic from González' side was to steal the ball in key areas and break at speed. They did that well for the first 30 minutes before having to turn in a backs-to-the-wall performance for the final stages.

The second half saw the hosts push on and press further up the park as Rakitic, Countinho and Busquets aimed to take some of the edge out of the game. And it was an even encounter when the French winger grabbed the goal that would eventually decide the match. A long, cross-field pass from Jordi Alba was met by Barça's other flying full-back, Sergi Roberto, and his header was guided nicely into the path of Dembele who volleyed home past Masip.

That goal gave the blaugrana more reason to slow the pace of the game down. But as they did so, the ever-more-optimistic blue and white shirts pushed on further. Chances were coming for the home team and crosses from the left were proving most productive. As the clock ticked down to the third minute of added time, a whipped cross from inside the penalty area was met by a clean header from Keko. Cue wild celebrations...until the official paused, listened to the voice in his ear-piece, and awarded a free-kick to Barça for offside.

It was the correct decision, of course, but one that showed how close the title-favourites were to dropping points early in the season. González will be be proud of his side's valiant efforts against the much-lauded opposition; Valverde will know that the machine is still needing to crank up a level.

And we've not heard the final word about the state of the pitch... 

Valladolid vs Barcelona: how it happened

Valladolid vs Barcelona: preview

After a convincing (at least in parts) 3-0 victory at the Camp Nou over Alavés last weekend, Barcelona will be expecting to make it two wins from two, as they travel to take on newly promoted Valladolid at the Estadio José Zorrilla tonight.

Barça

After netting two last week, Lionel Messi will be keen to add to his goal tally in the battle for the Pichichi and will surely start up front with Luis Suarez, who has had a somewhat poor start to the season. With plenty of depth in his squad, Ernesto Valverde could rotate his side and hand new signings Arthur and Arturo Vidal their full debuts tonight. After coming off the bench to score last week, Philippe Coutinho will feel he has done enough to deserve a starting place for a game the Blaugrana are almost sure to win.

Valladolid

Valladolid, meanwhile, managed to hold Girona to scoreless draw in Girona last week, and would consider securing another point against the title-holders at home to be a huge achievement. Winger and youth academy graduate Toni Villa was Valladolid’s best player against Girona last week and the 23-year-old will perhaps be the biggest threat to Barca’s backline led by Gerard Pique. But considering that they only managed one solitary shot against Girona last week, they will have to step up their game significantly if they want to take anything from this fixture.