Pedri, Cubarsí, Balde... Barça's 1-1 in the rout against Valladolid

Published:31/08/2024 - 19:11h

Updated:31/08/2024 - 21:03h

FC Barcelona maintained their perfect run in LaLiga with a historic thrashing of Valladolid (7-0). Hansi Flick's men wrapped up the game before the break and head into the first break of the season with unbeatable feelings

EA Sports LaLiga 2024/25 has a single and undisputed leader at the start of the season: FC Barcelona. On Saturday, the Catalans put on a show at Montjuïc against a weak Valladolid (7-0) with a superb performance both in terms of play and the attitude of the players. For the first time in a long time, the Barça fans were able to enjoy a pleasant afternoon, with a team that shows a totally different face to last season thanks to the work of Hansi Flick and the good adaptation of Dani Olmo, a star signing this summer. This is how we saw Barça against the pucelano team.

Ter Stegen: Viewer

The German hardly had any work to do throughout the match. However, he was alert to the few chances the visitors had, such as a low shot by Raúl Moro, which was ruled out due to an offside decision. Always sure with his feet, in the second half he was barely seen giving the team a start from the back.

Koundé: Timely

The Frenchman was somewhat imprecise in the first half, giving too much space to Raúl Moro and Selim Amallah on the flank. Valladolid's only two chances before the break came from the right, but the '23' appeared at the right moment to score the goal that settled the match in the 45+2'. The defender got hold of a ball that bounced off an opponent after a corner served by Lamine and, falling down, shot with his right foot into the corner. In the second half he had less work in marking and moved forward several meters to participate in the attack.

Cubarsí: Assist

The centre-back displayed his best attribute, the long pass, with a remarkable assist to Raphinha who opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Cubarsí caught the Brazilian's diagonal, who controlled the cross with his chest and then finished with class in front of goalkeeper Hein. Without any surprises in defence, Hansi Flick put Sergi Domínguez in his place in the 62nd minute.

Iñigo Martínez: Precise

The Basque, like the rest of the team, had a quiet afternoon. Very organized in the back, he didn't get too excited to project himself into the opponent's half. When he had to intervene, he did so with sobriety, clearing several aerial balls.

Balde: Extreme

He showed off his physicality by covering the entire left flank, more like a winger/full-back than a defender. Valladolid's passive attack allowed him to spend most of his time in Valladolid territory, although Barça focused their attack more on the right in the first half.

Marc Casadó: Organized

He returned to the lineup to cover Marc Bernal's position and did so well, very focused on marking and covering spaces as the only defensive midfielder. Eric García replaced him in the 62nd minute.

Pedri: Good performer

The Tenerife native dropped back a few metres to give Barça players a chance to start off, leaving Dani Olmo as the attacking midfielder. Although he did not participate in any of the goals in the first half, he provided quality moments and looked quite comfortable as an inside midfielder. Fermín came on in his place to play the last half hour of the match.

Dani Olmo: Crack

The player from Terrassa came close to scoring on several occasions throughout the match, but between the posts and bad luck he was on the verge of scoring for the second consecutive match in the first half. However, he was the beacon that illuminated the Barça game throughout the afternoon, with great movement to destabilise the Pucelano defence. Raphinha, Lamine and Lewandowski already have a perfect understanding with the former Leipzig player. In the 82nd minute, he finally managed to score, finishing off a great individual play on the left with his characteristic stamp. Immediately afterwards, he left his place on the field to Pablo Torre to receive an ovation from the Montjuïc crowd.

Raphinha: Scorer

The Brazilian made his debut as a goalscorer this season with a hat trick. In the 20th minute, he showed off his speed with an excellent oriented control and an impeccable finish in front of goalkeeper Hein thanks to a great pass from Cubarsí. In the 64th minute, he took advantage of a ball from Dani Olmo to Lewandowski that the Pole was unable to control to push the ball into the back of the net. Eight minutes later, he again made another lethal diagonal shot to, this time assisted by Lamine, finish between the legs of the pucelano goalkeeper. Ball home and a great afternoon for the player from Porto Alegre, who also added one assist in the final stretch.

Lamine Yamal: Playmaker

He did what he wanted with the Valladolid defence, undetectable and unpredictable as a winger/attacking midfielder. In the 24th minute he slipped in a spectacular curling pass for Lewandowski to make it 2-0. He then came close to assisting Lewandowski and Dani Olmo with several flashes of talent until, in the 72nd minute, he slipped a pass between the lines to Raphinha after a remarkable run from the Barça area in which he displayed all his power and vision of the game. With Lamine inspired, Barça can dream big this season.

Lewandowski: Inspired

He scored his fourth goal of the season after a great assist from Lamine in the 24th minute, in the first chance he had. The Pole looks much more committed to the team, with great mobility and impeccable physique. Beyond the goals, the '9' has returned to being the forward that Barça expects, with a commanding voice and character to lead a very young and talented team. Ferran replaced him in the 73rd minute.

Eric García: Pivot

He replaced Casadó half an hour from the end to take up the pivot position. The Catalan is expected to be important for Flick as long as he is physically fit.

Sergi Domínguez: Testimonial

It occupied the place of Cubarsí beside Iñigo Martínez in the half final hour of party. Without sobresaltos backwards in front of a totally crushed Valladolid in the final stretch.

Fermín López: Active

He replaced Pedri in the 62nd minute and was very active in the midfield, helping Dani Olmo and Raphinha in the build-up. He tried to score, without success, but always leaving quality details and with the best attitude to take advantage of the minutes he can play.

Ferran Torres: Substitute

He came on for Lewandowski in the 73rd minute and once again played the role he best played last season: that of substitute. In the 85th minute, he sealed the win with a good finish against Hein, taking advantage of a good pass from the left by Raphinha.