Actual Valladolid climbed out of the relegation zone with a shock 3-1 victory over champions Barcelona on Tuesday.
Andreas Christensen’s early personal objective set the tempo for a depressing night time for Xavi’s facet, who have been 2-0 down inside 20 minutes because of Cyle Larin’s penalty.
Gonzalo Plata added a 3rd after the break, capping off maybe the largest shock of the La Liga season and making certain Robert Lewandowski’s late objective meant nothing.
Valladolid got here out like a facet possessed and so they took the lead simply 90 seconds in. Darwin Machis’ harmful cross was heading proper for the unmarked Larin and Christensen’s determined makes an attempt to alleviate the hazard noticed the Dane head the ball into his personal neat.
It wasn’t till the thirteenth minute that Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip was examined, Raphinha’s low drive was highly effective however easy sufficient for the previous Barcelona stopper.
Seven minutes later and Valladolid doubled their lead. Marc-Andre ter Stegen got here flying out of his objective and created actual panic among the many Barcelona defence, and after Eric Garcia scythed down Plata to cease him from firing into an open internet, Larin thumped dwelling the following penalty to create a long way between the 2 sides.
Masip needed to be alert to disclaim Raphinha once more on the half-hour mark, and the Valladolid stopper made an excellent higher save to cease Christensen from atoning for his earlier personal objective with a fierce header from a nook.
Barcelona had near 70% possession within the first half however have been undoubtedly uncomfortable earlier than the interval, with the Blaugrana’s midfield noticeably struggling.
Xavi made some adjustments on the break, together with eradicating goalkeeper Ter Stegen, nevertheless it did not change an entire lot and Valladolid practically had a 3rd when Plata’s cross got here crashing again off the publish.
Regardless of Barcelona’s dominance on the stats sheet, Valladolid have been essentially the most harmful on the pitch and the hosts had the ball at the back of the web but once more with 18 minutes to go when Plata tapped dwelling a cross from Larin. A nervy VAR verify adopted however the objective was ultimately given.
There ought to have been an instantaneous fourth as Lucas Rosa burst by means of on objective and chipped Inaki Pena, however he may solely watch because the ball agonisingly bounced again off the publish.
Nonetheless, it was Barcelona who added the sport’s fourth objective. With seven minutes to go, Frenkie de Jong performed by means of Lewandowski, who rounded Masip and located the again of the web.
Barcelona continued to push for extra targets however by no means appeared like scoring and as a substitute needed to accept a bitterly disappointing defeat about which they might don’t have any complaints.
GK: Jordi Masip (7); RB: Ivan Fresneda (7); CB: Joaquin Fernandez (N/A); CB: Javi Sanchez (7); LB: Lucas Olaza (6); DM: Roque Mesa (7); DM: Alvaro Aguado (8); RW: Gonzalo Plata (8); AM: Oscar Plano (7); LW: Darwin Machis (6); ST: Cyle Larin (8)
Substitutes: David Torres (6), Monchu (6), Sergio Escudero (7), Kike Perez (6), Lucas Rosa (6)
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 4/10 – It was Ter Stegen’s poor resolution to hurry out that led to the second objective. A second of insanity earlier than being changed on the break after his clear sheet was ruined.
RB: Sergi Roberto – 2/10 – Caught out right away within the transfer for the primary objective and appeared fully misplaced for the remainder of the primary half. Blocked an absolute rocket of a volley together with his face.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 3/10 – Needed to dive to cease Larin from scoring and sadly put the ball into his personal internet. Was a thumping header although.
CB: Marcos Alonso – 2/10 – Bullied by Larin all through and by no means appeared snug in or out of possession. Stunning defending for the third objective.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 4/10 – Did not supply sufficient at both finish of the pitch.
DM: Eric Garcia – 1/10 – Gave away the penalty in a efficiency that was filled with nerves. Did not supply the passing wanted to play in midfield both. Shifted to right-back for the second half and performed Larin onside for the third objective.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 6/10 – Needed to drop deeper than deliberate to mop up Garcia’s errors and tried his hardest to maintain up his involvement in assault as nicely. A beautiful help for Lewandowski’s late objective.
CM: Gavi – 2/10 – Did not do something dangerous as a result of he did not actually do something. Actually struggled to become involved within the sport and spent extra time complaining than the rest.
RW: Raphinha – 5/10 – Did his finest to hold the assault with loads of photographs which drew good saves from Masip. Booked for taking off his shirt to disclose a message of assist to Vinicius Junior.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 5/10 – Did not get many touches of the ball due to Barcelona’s midfield struggles, however took his late objective nicely.
LW: Pablo Torre – 5/10 – Good and vigorous down Barcelona’s left. Will be pleased with his displaying.
Substitutes
Inaki Pena (46′ for Ter Stegen) – 4/10
Franck Kessie (46′ for Roberto) – 4/10
Ferran Torres (63′ for Raphinha) – 4/10
Ousmane Dembele (63′ for Torre) – 5/10
Ansu Fati (76′ for Gavi) – 5/10
Subs not used: Tenas, Alba, Busquets, Casado,
Supervisor
Xavi – 2/10 – There’s clearly been a serious step again because the title was confirmed. Xavi set his workforce up poorly and all his makes an attempt to fight that proved futile.
