Real Valladolid v Barcelona Live Commentary & Result, 23/05/2023, Primera División

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	BAR Barcelona	38	28	4	6	70	20	+50	88	L W L L W
2	RMA Real Madrid	38	24	6	8	75	36	+39	78	D W W L W
3	ATM Atlético Madrid	38	23	8	7	70	33	+37	77	D W D W L
4	RSO Real Sociedad	38	21	8	9	51	35	+16	71	W L W W D
5	VIL Villarreal	38	19	7	12	59	40	+19	64	D L W W W
6	BET Real Betis	38	17	9	12	46	41	+5	60	D W L D W
7	OSA Osasuna	38	15	8	15	37	42	-5	53	W L W L W
8	ATH Athletic Club	38	14	9	15	47	43	+4	51	D L L W L
9	MLL Mallorca	38	14	8	16	37	43	-6	50	W L W L W
10	GIR Girona	38	13	10	15	58	55	+3	49	L L D L D
11	RAY Rayo Vallecano	38	13	10	15	45	53	-8	49	L W L L L
12	SEV Sevilla	38	13	10	15	47	54	-7	49	L L D D W
13	CEL Celta de Vigo	38	11	10	17	43	53	-10	43	W L D L L
14	CAD Cádiz	38	10	12	16	30	53	-23	42	D W L W L
15	GET Getafe	38	10	12	16	34	45	-11	42	D W W D L
16	VAL Valencia	38	11	9	18	42	45	-3	42	D D L W W
17	ALM Almería	38	11	8	19	49	65	-16	41	D D L W L
18	VLD Real Valladolid	38	11	7	20	33	63	-30	40	D D W L L
19	ESP Espanyol	38	8	13	17	52	69	-17	37	D D D W L
20	ELC Elche	38	5	10	23	30	67	-37	25	D W D D W

Thanks for joining our commentary today. Until next time, goodbye.

Real Valladolid continue their battle against the drop against Almeria on the road on Sunday. Barca are in action the same day at home to Mallorca.

Real Valladolid move out of the relegation zone in LaLiga and end a five-match losing run courtesy of a 3-1 win over Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla. An own goal from Andreas Christensen put the hosts ahead after two minutes before Cyle Larin extended their advantage from the penalty spot. Gonzalo Plata scored a crucial third after VAR overturned an offside call against the home side in the build-up. Robert Lewandowski scored a consolation goal for the champions, but Xavi's men fall to their first defeat to Valladolid on the road since 2014.

90' + 4' FULL-TIME: REAL VALLADOLID 3-1 BARCELONA

90' + 2' Valladolid are almost over the line now as Kike Perez heads for the corner on a counter.

90' There will be four minutes of added time.

89' Larin makes a vital header at the back to take Dembele's free-kick away from Lewandowski before Torres heads Balde's delivery straight at Masip.

88' Dembele wins a free-kick in a useful position. The Frenchman has the chance to send a cross into the Valladolid box.

85' Valladolid will have a nervy finish to the game now. Another Barca goal will set their hearts racing.

F. de Jong

Assist

84' De Jong threads the needle to release Lewandowski, who does the rest with a fine finish.

R. Lewandowski

Goal

84' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! LEWANDOWSKI GETS ONE BACK!!!! 3-1!!!!! Barcelona have a glimmer of hope as Lewandowski rounds Masip and slots home a finish. De Jong cuts open the Valladolid defence with an incisive pass before Lewandowski takes the ball away from the onrushing Masip. There is still work to do, but he holds his composure to score with his left foot.

82' Valladolid have picked the perfect time to unleash their best performance of the season. Pezzolano's men are on course to move out of the bottom three.

80' OVER! Escudero angles a dangerous cross to the back post that Pena flaps at. Plata comes in behind the keeper and heads at goal, only to nod his effort over the top.

78' OFF THE POST! Rosa has the chance to make it 4-0 as he bursts through on goal down the right flank. He clips his effort over the onrushing Pena, but the ball strikes the post and bounces back to the Barca keeper.

Ansu Fati

Gavi

76' Gavi is withdrawn by the visitors and is replaced by Fati.

75' What a time for Plata to register his first LaLiga goal of the season for Valladolid.

C. Larin

Assist

73' Larin times his run to perfection down the right flank and delivers a precise cross that Plata finishes.

G. Plata

Goal

73' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! VAR AWARDS PLATA'S STRIKE!!!!!!! 3-0 VALLADOLID!!!!!! The home side take a huge stride towards three points today as Plata's strike is awarded after a VAR check. Garcia plays Larin onside as he latches onto a throughball. He bursts down the right flank and supplies a perfect low cross that Plata steers first-time past Pena into the bottom-left corner.

73' Plata converts at the back post from Larin's cross from the right flank, but the flag goes up for offside. This will be checked by VAR.

72' Plata releases the run of Escudero in the inside-left channel and he looks for a cross into the middle that Kessie has to divert behind.

Kike Pérez

Óscar Plano

71' Kike Perez enters the action for the home side to replace Plano in midfield.

Lucas Rosa

D. Machís

71' Machis was responsible for the first goal as his cross was headed into his own net by Christensen. He makes way for Lucas Rosa.

69' Balde has been Barca's best outlet in the second half, but no one has been able to connect with one of his dangerous deliveries from the left flank.

67' CLOSE! Gavi and Lewandowski combine on the edge of the box to release Balde on the left flank. He drills a low ball across the face of goal, but Torres cannot connect on the slide.

64' Barcelona are seeing a lot of the ball in the Valladolid half, but are struggling to break down the home side. Pezzolano's men have been committed at the back in the second half.

Ferran Torres

Raphinha

63' Torres replaces Raphinha for the Catalan club.

O. Dembélé

Pablo Torre

62' Dembele enters the action for the visitors to replace Torre.

59' OFF THE POST! Valladolid are inches away from a third as Machis' cross from the right flank strikes the post. The winger cuts in on his left foot and bends a delivery towards Larin. He stretches to make contact ahead of Pena, but fails to connect. The ball continues on its path, only to skim the outside of the left post and travel wide.

Monchu

L. Olaza

56' Monchu enters the action for the home side to replace Olaza.

Escudero

Roque Mesa

56' Roque Mesa has run tirelessly for 56 minutes and is now withdrawn for Escudero.

54' Plata brings down Balde on the charge down the left flank again, but the resulting free-kick is cleared by Torres in the middle.

52' WIDE! Balde attacks a deep cross from Raphinha at the back post, only to steer his strike harmlessly wide of the left post.

51' Roque Mesa wins the ball high up the pitch and has Larin in support. The midfielder has options, but delays his pass and then is crowded out by Alonso and Christensen.

50' SAVE! Pena makes his first save as he denies Aguado, who sends a drive towards goal from the edge of the box after a break by Larin.

49' Balde bursts down the left flank and he gets to the byline, before he fires a dangerous ball across the face of goal that Lewandowski cannot reach.

47' Valladolid have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 24 of their 36 games, only Cadiz (25) and Barcelona (28) have done this more often in LaLiga this season.

46' We're back under way at the Jose Zorrilla.

F. Kessié

Sergi Roberto

46' Sergi Roberto is replaced by Kessie, which will see Garcia drop back into the Barca defence.

Iñaki Peña

M. ter Stegen

46' Pena replaces Ter Stegen at the break for the visitors between the posts.

Paulo Pezzolano will be delighted with his side's exploits. Valladolid could not have dreamed of a better start to the contest. Now, they need to manage the game in the second half to prevent a Barcelona comeback. It may be be the biggest 45 minutes of their season.

Valladolid are 45 minutes away from securing a huge result in their battle to remain in LaLiga, taking a 2-0 lead into the break against Barcelona. Christensen scored an own goal to put the home side ahead after two minutes. Valladolid were handed the chance to extend their advantage from the penalty spot after Machis was fouled, and Larin duly converted from 12 yards. Barca responded with a flurry of chances, but Masip resisted to allow his team to hold their two-goal advantage at half-time.

45' + 2' HALF-TIME: REAL VALLADOLID 2-0 BARCELONA

45' There will be one minute of added time.

45' CHANCE! Sergi Roberto latches onto Torre's corner to the back post, only to plant his header over the top.

45' BLOCK! Fresneda makes a good block at the back to deny Balde, who was alert in the final third to latch onto De Jong's deflected pass.

43' OVER! Raphinha lines up the resulting free-kick, and he lifts his left-footed strike over the wall, but comfortably over the bar.

41' Olaza brings down Raphinha on the edge of the Valladolid box, handing Barcelona a free-kick in a threatening position.

39' Raphinha is allowed to cut inside from the right flank to shoot on his left foot, only to place his attempt safely into the hands of Masip.

39' Raphinha directs a header into the ground from De Jong's cross and Masip fumbles it behind for a corner. The Valladolid keeper will be hopeful that the set-piece does not lead to a Barca goal.

37' Javi Sanchez angles a long ball over the top for Larin to chase. He gets behind Christensen, but cannot stretch to bring the ball under control before it bounces into Ter Stegen's grasp.

36' De Jong catches Aguado late with a sliding challenge and gives away a free-kick. The Valladolid bench are not happy that the Barcelona man did not receive a booking.

34' Barca have finally responded to the two-goal deficit. Valladolid are having to work hard to resist the champions.

32' INCHES WIDE! Alonso works the ball to Lewandowski on the edge of the penalty area and he connects with a powerful left-footed strike, but his attempt whistles past the right post.

31' MASIP AGAIN! The Valladolid keeper comes to his side's rescue again as he palms a powerful Christensen header over the bar from Torre's corner. The home team are having to see out a spell of pressure here.

30' SAVE! Better from Barcelona as the visitors work the ball around the Valladolid penalty area. Torre offloads to Raphinha, who curls a left-footed strike towards goal, but Masip reacts well to turn it past the right post.

29' The intensity has not been there from Barcelona in the opening 29 minutes. Xavi will be concerned by his side's response to their defeat by Real Sociedad.

Iván Fresneda

Yellow Card

27' Fresneda pulls back Torre on the charge and goes into the book.

26' Valladolid must be pinching themselves after their outstanding start to the game. The home side need to manage the game and not give the champions any encouragement to get back into the contest.

24' WIDE! Raphinha latches onto a deep cross to the back post from Torre, but he can only steer his left-footed strike wide of the target.

23' Larin has now scored his eighth goal for Valladolid since his move to the club in January.

C. Larin

Penalty Goal

22' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! LARIN FIRES HOME THE PENALTY!!!!! 2-0!!!! Larin holds his nerve from the penalty spot as he places his right-footed strike away from Ter Stegen into the bottom-right corner. Valladolid extend their advantage in a crucial game.

20' PENALTY TO VALLADOLID! Plata is brought down in the penalty area by Garcia and the referee points to the spot. A long ball from the back allowed Larin to break in behind and force a cross back to Plata with Ter Stegen stranded off his line. Garcia was rash as he jumped in and he gives the home side a huge chance to double their lead.

18' Torres makes an important intervention in the Valladolid box to prevent Sergi Roberto's cross from reaching Lewandowski in the middle.

David Torres

Joaquín Fernández

16' Joaquin makes way for the home side and is replaced by Torres at the back. It must be injury-related to force Joaquin off the pitch.

15' Torre swings a free-kick into the Valladolid box from the left flank, but Lewandowski is caught offside from the delivery.

14' SAVE! Barca break on the counter and Raphinha cuts inside from the right flank to shoot towards the bottom-right corner. Masip has to get down to push his effort away from the net before gathering the rebound.

13' Machis forces another strike at goal from the inside-left channel, but Ter Stegen makes a comfortable stop at his near post.

13' BLOCK! Machis connects with a cross from Fresneda from the right flank and his effort appears to be heading towards goal. Sergi Roberto gets his body in the way and makes a vital block for the visitors.

10' Torre collects from Balde from the left flank and shapes to shoot from 25 yards, only to lift his effort well over the bar.

9' Balde bursts down the left flank and works an offload back to Lewandowski. He twists and turns on the edge of the box, but his effort is charged down by Joaquin.

8' Larin collects in space on the right flank and again Barca are slow to close down in the wide areas. He sends a cross into the box that Ter Stegen gathers, but it is another warning for the visitors.

7' Torre flies into his first challenge of the game as he brings down Fresneda on the Valladolid right flank.

4' Valladolid have won seven of the eight games they have scored first in at the Jose Zorrilla this season.

A. Christensen

Own Goal

2' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! CHRISTENSEN SCORES AN OWN GOAL!!!!!!! 1-0 VALLADOLID!!!!! The home side have the perfect start as Christensen diverts Machis' cross into his own net. Valladolid work the ball well across the pitch to open up room for Machis down the left flank. He is afforded space and time to float a cross into the middle where Christensen has to act ahead of Larin, but can only head the ball past Ter Stegen.

1' We're under way at the Jose Zorrilla.

Barcelona have won 15 of their last 16 meetings with Valladolid in LaLiga (lost one), scoring 43 goals and conceding just six.

Barcelona have made five changes from their defeat to Sociedad. Alonso and Sergi Roberto come into the back four to join Balde and Christensen. Jules Kounde misses out, while Alba drops to the bench. Gavi returns in the middle of the park to replace Busquets and Garcia slots in for Kessie. Dembele makes way for Torre in the final third.

Valladolid have made seven changes from their defeat to Cadiz last time out. Fresneda and Olaza come into the back four, while Plano, Mesa and Aguado get the call in the middle of the park. Plata and Marchi join Larin in the final third. Martin Hongla misses out due to suspension along with Jawad El Yamiq, and Perez, Leon, Escudero, Rosa, Monchu drop to the bench.

SUBS: Sergio Busquets, Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Inaki Pena, Jordi Alba, Franck Kessie, Marc Casado, Arnau Tenas.

BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Alejandro Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Eric Garcia, Gavi; Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Pablo Torre.

SUBS: Kike Perez, Sergio Leon, Monchu, Sergio Asenjo, Sergio Escudero, Kenedy, David Torres, Lucas Rosa, Victor Rofino Gordo, Ivan Bikoue, Babatunde Akinsola.

REAL VALLADOLID (4-3-3): Jordi Masip; Ivan Fresneda, Joaquin Fernandez, Javi Sanchez, Lucas Olaza; Oscar Plano, Roque Mesa, Alvaro Aguado; Gonzalo Plata, Cyle Larin, Darwin Machis.

Barcelona suffered a rare defeat last time out against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou, which spoiled their homecoming after wrapping up the LaLiga crown against Espanyol. Xavi will be urging his team to get back to winning ways to end their season on a high note and ensure the Catalan club take momentum into next term. Barca hammered Valladolid 4-0 earlier in the campaign and will be looking to add to their opponents' woes with another strong outing.

Real Valladolid are in desperate need of a result in their battle to remain in LaLiga. The club have lost their last five matches in LaLiga, including their 2-0 defeat to Cadiz last time out. Paulo Pezzolano's reign started off brightly after he replaced Pacheta, but his team are spiralling downwards and are faced with a real prospect of relegation. They are currently in the bottom three on goal difference, meaning a point would be enough to lift them out of trouble with two games remaining in their season.

Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the LaLiga match between Real Valladolid and Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla.

Real Valladolid v Barcelona Live Commentary, 23/05/2023

Key Events

Match Stats

Key

Commentary