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Ten-man Barcelona hang on against Valencia

By Ernesto Hernandez

Raphinha celebrates after scoring a goal during the match between FC Barcelona vs Valencia CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Raphinha celebrates after scoring a goal during the match between FC Barcelona vs Valencia CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
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Raphinha scores his team’s first goal during the match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday. (Photo by Silvestre Szpylma/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Raphinha scores his team’s first goal during the match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday. (Photo by Silvestre Szpylma/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

If Barcelona supporters were expecting an improvement performance wise from their Copa del Rey win over Real Madrid, they were left wholly disappointed.

A goal in the 15th minute by Raphinha proved to be enough for Barcelona who hung on to beat a Valencia side, battling relegation, 1-0 at the Camp Nou.

The Brazilian connected on a header from a cross by Sergio Busquets. It was reminiscent of the goal he scored against Osasuna before the World Cup break that also proved to be a game-winner.

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Barcelona had an opportunity to double their pleasure 10 minutes into the second half as they were awarded a penalty due to a handball in the area. After some discussion between Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati as to who was going to take the penalty, the former Valencia man stepped up. Much to his disappointment, he struck the ball poorly and his effort hit the side of the post before heading out of play.

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To compound Barcelona’s misery, 4 minutes later, Ronald Araújo was sent off after bringing down Hugo Duro who was going to be clear on goal. Jules Koundé headed the ball back to Araújo who was positioned poorly and felt forced to stop Duro any way he could.

In a span of 4 minutes, Barcelona went from perhaps cruising to a win to have to defend a one-goal lead for more than 30 minutes.

Marcos Alonso was brought on in place of Ansu Fati who had an effort of his own come off the post following Araujo’s red card.

Desperate to escape the relegation zone, Valencia went forward in search of an equalizer. To Barcelona’s credit, they limited Los Ches to half chances.

The controversy — and what is likely to dominate conversation — is the non-call after it looked like Franck Kessié fouled Fran Perez just inside the area. The referee didn’t whistle to the spot nor was he alerted by VAR to take a second look.

Barcelona were left off the hook and held on to pick up the 3 points and momentarily go 10 points clear of Real Madrid.

Again, if the expectation from both the supporters and the manager was to see a better display, well, they didn’t get it.

Even at full strength, Barcelona weren’t all that dangerous. Goal aside, they struggled to create many chances despite going back to a 4-3-3. If it wasn’t clear before, it certainly is now that they severely miss the likes of Pedri, Ousmane Dembélé and Robert Lewandowski.

Pedri provides that pause and creative play in midfield, Dembélé brings unpredictability and spark, things Barcelona sorely missed on the rare occasions they countered when down a man. And, of course, Lewandowski’s finishing ability is second to none and he could have been at the end on some of the few opportunities Barcelona did create.

Next. Cocca presents first El Tri roster ahead of Nations League. dark

The good news is Barcelona picked up a win. The bad news is their display leaves much to be desired. Furthermore, they’ll be without their best defender next week against Athletic Bilbao. However, if all goes well, Lewandowski should be back.

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