Blue Machine! Barça's 'B Team' crushes Valencia and re-engages in LaLiga (7-1)

The FC Barcelona returned to the path of victory in LaLiga EA Sports 2024-25, and they did it in style. The blue and garnet team hosted Valencia at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys  and experienced another magical night that will be remembered by Barcelona fans, overwhelming one of their favorite victims to assert their authority and gain three points that allow them to re-enter the title race (7-1).

The team of Hansi Flick found victory at home in the league after more than two months, and they did it in the best possible way. By offering a true exhibition of good football in front of their fans, the blaugranas reaffirmed their historic dominance over the che team and dealt them a real thrashing, which allows them to fully enter the championship race after the 'slip-up' of Atlético de Madrid against Villarreal (1-1).

A first half for the history books

The match was barely underway. Just 3 minutes into the game, Lamine Yamal pulled off a spectacular assist to set up Frenkie de Jong in the heart of the area and served up on a silver platter the first goal of the night for the Dutchman. No sooner had the first goal been processed than Ferran Torres increased the lead to 8' with his seventh goal of the season.

The blaugrana party was just beginning, and by the time the clock hit 15 minutes! Raphinha sealed the match with the third goal of the day for Barça. From there, Flick's men unleashed their offensive power and Fermín López confirmed the Catalans' thrashing with a brutal double before the end of the first half, sending both teams to the locker rooms with a devastating 5-0 on the scoreboard.

The second unit responded to Hansi Flick

The first 45 minutes against Valencia were a clear demonstration that Hansi Flick has managed to engage his second unit. With the absence of stars like Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo, the locals imposed total authority over the che team and completed what is possibly the best first half of the season for the blaugranas.

Four of the five goals celebrated in the first half came from the feet of the 'substitutes' introduced by the German in the starting eleven. Additionally, Fermín assisted Raphinha on the third goal, so the impact of the 'B unit' was total. A fantastic piece of news for the club and its coach, who are now aware of the spectacular squad they have at their disposal.

Barça sealed the 'thrashing' in the second half

Upon returning from the locker rooms, the culés took care of completing the formality. A completely sunk and resigned Valencia tried to revive with a goal from Hugo Duro at 59', but Robert Lewandowski put an end to the hopes of Corberán's team by scoring his seventeenth league goal just six minutes after entering the field.

An own goal by Tárrega at 75' put the final nail in the coffin and sealed another historic thrashing for Barça, who re-engages in the title race. The culés are now just three points behind Atlético de Madrid after the draw of the colchoneros against Villarreal (1-1), and maintain a 7-point distance from Real Madrid with 17 matches left to play.

Moreover, the victory against the che team ends their bad streak at home, as until this Sunday, the blaugranas had gone three consecutive matches without winning at Montjuïc. After the comeback against Benfica and this thrashing of Valencia, Barça thus demonstrates that they have returned to their best version, and the rest of the clubs in the continent tremble at the threat of the best team on the continent.

Match details:    

• FC Barcelona, 7: Wojciech Szczesny (P);  Koundé (Fort, min. 71), Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Balde (G. Martín, min. 60); Casadó, Fermín López, Frenkie de Jong (Pablo Torre, min. 78); Lamine Yamal (Pau Víctor, min. 71), Raphinha (Lewandowski, min. 60), Ferran Torres.
• Valencia, 1:  Mamardashvili (P); Foulquier (Diakhaby, min. 83), Tárrega, Yarek (Córdoba, min. 82), Gayà (Vázquez, min. 60); Pepelu, Javi Guerra; Rioja, André Almeida (Aarons, min. 60), Diego López (Pérez, min. 60); Hugo Duro..
• Goals: 1-0 Frenkie de Jong (min. 3); 2-0 Ferran Torres (min. 8); 3-0 Raphinha (min. 14); 4-0 Fermín López (min. 24); 5-0 Fermín López (min. 45+5); 5-1 Hugo Duro (min. 59); 6-1 Lewandowski (min. 66); 7-1 Tárrega (min. 75, P.P).
• Referee: Soto Grado. He sanctioned the Valencia player Pepelu.