Ten-man Barcelona beat Valencia 1-0 on the Camp Nou to open up a 10-point cushion over defending Champions Actual Madrid on the summit of the La Liga standings on Sunday night.
The end result capped off a high quality week for the Catalans following their first-leg win over Actual within the Copa Del Rey semi-final in midweek.
BARCELONA TAKE EARLY LEAD
Rapinha opened the scoring within the fifteenth minute as he made a high quality diagonal run to fulfill Sergio Busquets’ high quality swap of play from midfield. The Brazilian clipped his header completely over Giorgi Mamardashvili within the Valencia aim to provide the hosts an early lead.
Regardless of going forward, Barcelona didn’t stamp their authority on the sport with their sloppy defending. The guests couldn’t take benefit as they spurned two golden alternatives to revive parity earlier than the half-time whistle.
Catalans can’t put the sport to mattress
Barcelona had been awarded a penalty simply eight minutes after the break when Jules Kounde’s goal-bound effort was deflected off Hugo Guillamon’s outstretched arm.
Ferran Torres stepped up however missed his spot kick because it clipped off the right-hand publish, a lot to the frustration of the house assist. Simply three minutes later, Ansu Fati hit the publish after some great interaction with Raphinha.
Valencia had been then handed yet one more lifeline when Ronald Araujo was despatched off with a straight purple as he clumsily stopped Hugo Duro when he was by way of on aim.
Regardless of the benefit of getting an additional man, the guests didn’t create any clear-cut alternatives and hardly troubled Marc-Andre ter Stegen within the Barcelona aim.
The Catalans got here beneath actual stress within the sport’s closing levels and had been fortunate to outlive a penalty declare when Frack Kessie bundled Fran Perez within the field however the referee waved play on.
The end result means Barcelona now lead the La Liga standings with 62 factors from 24 video games, whereas Valencia’s dismal marketing campaign continues as they’re within the relegation zone with 23 factors, two factors away from security.
Photograph credit score: IMAGO / Cordon Press
