Barcelona continued their impressive start to the La Liga season under new manager Hansi Flick with a resounding 7-0 victory over Real Valladolid on Saturday. The win in Barcelona vs Valladolid marks 4 wins from four matches for the Catalan giants, despite ongoing financial difficulties.
Raphinha Steals the Show with a Hat-Trick
Brazilian winger Raphinha was the star of the match (Barcelona vs Valladolid), notching a hat-trick to lead Barcelona’s offensive onslaught. He opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a touch of class, controlling a pass from Pau Cubarsi with his chest and finishing elegantly with the outside of his left boot.
Also Read: Real Madrid Stumbles in La Liga Opener, Draws 1-1 Against Las Palmas
Lewandowski and Kounde Add to the Lead
The Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski, quickly doubled the lead for Barcelona. He latched onto a pass from Lamine Yamal and expertly slotted the ball past Real Valladolid’s goalkeeper, Karl Hein. French defender Jules Kounde further extended their dominance just before half-time, converting a corner kick with a well-placed shot from a difficult angle.
Barcelona Vs Real Valladolid first half .
Dangerous chances/"opportunities" created from open play. pic.twitter.com/xloszQ0Gn1— Engen‽∞ (@Abdul_haleem__8) September 1, 2024
Second Half Continues the Onslaught
Barcelona continued their dominance in the second half. Raphinha grabbed his second goal just past the hour mark, finishing off a well-worked move involving Lewandowski and Yamal. The Brazilian completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, thanks to a fantastic assist from Yamal, who sliced through the Valladolid defense with a delightful pass.
Barcelona Substitutes Get Involved
Barcelona’s dominance continued even after introducing substitutes. Dani Olmo, who scored the winning goal in their previous match against Rayo Vallecano on his debut, added another goal with a skillful individual effort before being replaced. Ferran Torres, another substitute, made his presence felt by converting a cross from Raphinha, putting the scoreline at a staggering 7-0.
Contrasting Starts for Barcelona and Real Madrid
This emphatic victory highlights the contrasting starts for Barcelona and their arch-rivals, Real Madrid. While Barcelona have hit the ground running under new leadership, Real Madrid have stumbled in their opening La Liga matches, despite the much-anticipated arrival of French star Kylian Mbappe.
Flick Era Begins Brightly for Barcelona
This win signifies a promising start to the Hansi Flick era at Barcelona. Despite facing ongoing financial challenges, the team has displayed immense attacking power and a solid defense under Flick’s management. With Raphinha in such impressive form, Barcelona will be looking to continue their winning streak and challenge for the La Liga title.
