Barcelona vs Valencia: Lewandowski’s hat-trick saves Barca

• FC Barcelona continued with their La Liga campaign on Monday evening by recording a 4-2 victory over Valencia
• Barca will now start preparing for Girona, who beat them 4-2 back in December

FC Barcelona continued with their La Liga campaign on Monday evening by recording a 4-2 victory over Valencia during the Barcelona vs Valencia match.

Fermin Lopez opened the scoring for Barca in the 22nd minute before goals from Hugo Duro and Pepelu within ten minutes saw Valencia take a 2-1 lead. However, a red card to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in first half stoppage time allowed the hosts to use numerical advantage in the second period to win the match.

Barcelona vs Valencia. Photo/ Eurosport.

Robert Lewandowski levelled the scores shortly after the restart before adding two late goals to complete his hat-trick and the turn around in this match.

Barca were not at their best on Monday and Xavi Hernandez’s men would have lost the match is Lewandowski didn’t come to the rescue.

“I am really happy for Robert [Lewandowski] because he is a spectacular player who works extraordinarily hard. He is the team’s goal scorer. He is an example in the dressing room, a leader in terms of how he works. He shows desire, character, courage…That’s why he has scored a hat-trick today. I am very happy for him.” Xavi praised Lewandowski after the Barcelona vs Valencia match, as per ESPN.

The Blaugrana were poor defensively, and in particular Ronald Araujo, whose nightmare campaign continues. The Uruguayan didn’t do enough to stop Valencia’s first goal and also conceded the penalty that led to the visitors taking the lead.

Barca will now start preparing for Girona, who beat them 4-2 back in December. The two sides meet this Saturday at Estadio de Montilivi in Girona.

Barcelona Vs Valencia

Playing at home, Barcelona were confident in the early stages of this clash and dominated possession. However, it was the visitors who came close to scoring twice, with both Hugo Duro and Peter Gonzalez missing big opportunities.

Just as it happens in many football matches, Valencia were made to pay for their misses chances midway through the first half when Fermin Lopez but Barca in front. Raphinha’s well taken cross from the left found Lopez, who made no mistake and converted in Barca’s first attempt on target.

However, the Blaugrana were not in front for long as Valencia levelled the scores five minutes after Lopez’s goal. Marc Andre ter Stegen had not conceded a league goal at home but saw his impressive run come to an end when he raced out of his box and beat Duro’s lofted pass but the clearance fell right onto the 24-year-old’s path. Duro rolled the ball into the empty net.

Barely ten minutes after levelling the scores, Valencia were presented with a golden opportunity to go in front when the match’s referee pointed to the spot after Ronaldo Araujo fouled Peter Gonzalez in the box. Pepelu, who had missed a chance early on, made no mistake as he sent ter Stegen the wrong way to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Fermin Lopez and Robert Lewandowski were Barca’s goalscorers last night as they beat Valencia 4-2. Photo/ FC Barcelona.

Valencia goalkeeper handled the ball outside the box in stoppage time of the first period, prompting the referee to send him away. Even though Barca didn’t take advantage of the free-kick that followed, the visitors being one man less on the pitch allowed them to turn this game around.

Robert Lewandowski started the comeback by flicking in Ilkay Gundogan’s corner in the 49th minute. Valencia would then pack the bus attempting to salvage at least a draw but Lewa struck again in the 82nd minute and finally in stoppage time to help Barca secure a 4-2 win.

The Blaugrana have regained the second spot on the La Liga standings but are eleven points behind leaders Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Valancia have remained seventh and currently have 47 points.