Barcelona started their La Liga campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium on Saturday. The match marked the first competitive game under new coach Hansi Flick, and it was Robert Lewandowski who played the hero, scoring twice to secure all three points for the Catalan giants.
A Tough Start for Barcelona
Facing a strong Valencia side managed by Ruben Baraja, Barcelona found themselves in a challenging situation early on. Valencia’s Hugo Duro opened the scoring just before halftime, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute. Duro’s goal came from a well-timed header after receiving a cross from Diego Lopez, catching Barcelona’s defense off guard.
Lewandowski Leads the Comeback
Despite the setback, Barcelona responded quickly. In the dying moments of the first half, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski equalized for Barcelona. The Polish forward capitalized on a cross from Alejandro Balde, with the young talent Lamine Yamal playing a key role in diverting the ball into Lewandowski’s path. The goal leveled the score at 1-1 going into the break.
Second-Half Improvement
Barcelona came out stronger in the second half, with Hansi Flick making tactical adjustments that paid off. The turning point came early in the half when Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera brought down Raphinha inside the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty, and Lewandowski confidently converted the spot-kick, driving the ball into the top corner to give Barcelona a 2-1 lead.
Young Talent Shines
Hansi Flick’s decision to start three 17-year-olds—Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, and Marc Bernal—was a bold move, especially in the absence of key players like Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo. Yamal, who had a challenging week after his father was attacked, delivered a commendable performance, earning applause from even the opposing fans when he was substituted.
Managing the Lead
After taking the lead, Barcelona managed the game effectively, keeping Valencia at bay for most of the second half. The Catalans controlled the pace and limited Valencia’s opportunities to equalize. Although Ferran Torres and Marc Casado had chances to extend the lead, they couldn’t find the back of the net. Lewandowski also missed an opportunity to complete his hat-trick, sending his shot over the bar in stoppage time.
Hansi Flick’s Post-Match Reflections
Speaking after the match, Hansi Flick acknowledged the team’s improvement in the second half. “The second half was much better than the first,” said Flick. “We made a lot of mistakes early on, but we came back strong at the end of the first half and carried that momentum into the second.”
Lewandowski’s Goal-Scoring Ambitions
Lewandowski, who turns 36 next week, was pleased with his contribution and expressed his determination to keep scoring throughout the season. “My aim is always to score goals. I don’t know how many I’ll score by the end of the season, but it’s important to get goals in the first game for confidence,” he said.
Barcelona’s next challenge comes on Saturday, when they host Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou. With this win, Barcelona has set a positive tone for their La Liga campaign, but tougher tests lie ahead, especially with Real Madrid also vying for the title under the leadership of their new superstar, Kylian Mbappe.
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