Real Valladolid have lost all of their last five games in La Liga with a goal difference of four goals for and fourteen goals against. For example, Atlético Madrid won 2-5 in Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla at the end of April and Real Madrid also won 6-0 against the Spanish relegation candidate in the previous month. With 35 points, Real Valladolid was in eighteenth place until tonight, which would mean direct relegation after 38 rounds.
But luckily for the Spanish low flyer, FC Barcelona still seemed drunk on Tuesday evening from the festivities that took place after winning the 27th national title, as was the case last weekend against Real Sociedad (1-2) at home. Within two minutes, Real Valladolid, which formed a guard of honor for FC Barcelona before the match, took the lead. Andreas Christensen headed the ball hard against the ropes, but unfortunately for him past Marc-André ter Stegen, his own goalkeeper: 1-0.
That first goal against did not necessarily shake FC Barcelona awake. In fact, it also became 2-0 after 22 minutes. Eric García caused a penalty and Cyle Larin knew what to do with that. He shot the second goal of the evening behind Ter Stegen, who did not return in the second half. The German goalkeeper gave up his place to 24-year-old Iñaki Peña, who was allowed to make his La Liga debut for FC Barcelona by coach Xavi Hernández.
,,We have not done enough and have to look in the mirror”, a disappointed De Jong said afterwards in front of the camera of DAZN. ,,There are no excuses, because in this team you always have to win. They risked their lives and we weren’t good.” De Jong ended the game with the captain’s armband on his arm. “I’m proud to wear the band, because I’ve always wanted to play for Barca.”
Reaction Xavi
,,It was difficult to motivate us, because we have already reached our goal”, coach Xavi said. ,,These poor results are the result of our laxity.” The Spanish coach nevertheless had understanding for his players. “I understand the footballer. We’ve had such a tough season, including a World Cup. That weighs. Unfortunately, today we have partly damaged our image. We have two games left to improve on that.”
Powerful statement Raphinha
The only achievement of real value on FC Barcelona’s side came tonight in the 63rd minute of Raphinha. The Brazilian was substituted and came with a statement of support towards the racist Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior. As Raphinha walked to the side, he took off his shirt. Under his competition shirt he wore a shirt with the message: ‘As long as the color of the skin is more important than the clarity of the eyes, there will always be war’.
He clenched his fist and made a strong statement in support of his compatriot, who was the victim of racism during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid. Before the kick-off of Real Valladolid – FC Barcelona, the players of both teams also made a joint statement against racism. ,,I didn’t know anything about it”, De Jong said about Raphinha’s action. “But I thought it was a nice gesture.”
FC Barcelona, by the way, still scored. Robert Lewandowski scored a nice goal in the 84th minute. The Polish top scorer outplayed the goalkeeper after a very nice pass from Frenkie de Jong and then pushed the 3-1 against the ropes. After all, Gonzalo Plata had caused even more shame on the Catalan jaws just before with the 3-0. It was initially rejected for offside, but the VAR had no mercy on the labyrinthine national champion.
Due to tonight’s 3-1, FC Barcelona lost for the second time in a row since winning La Liga and Getafe and Espanyol, among others, will certainly not be happy with that. Real Valladolid is now seventeenth with 38 points, three more than number eighteen Getafe and four more than number nineteen Espanyol. Number twenty Elche has long been relegated. Valencia (40 points), Celta de Vigo (40 points), Almería (39 points) and Cádiz (38 points) are also not yet relieved of the relegation worries.
real society
Earlier in the evening, Real Sociedad already played against Almería. Qualification for the Champions League is close for Real Sociedad after that match. The club from San Sebastián won 1-0 at home thanks to a hit from Takefusa Kubo. Sociedad is therefore fourth with 68 points. Villarreal, which will play against Cádiz on Wednesday, has 8 points less and must win to have a chance at fourth place, which entitles them to participate in the group stage of the Champions League next season. After this round, there are two more matches for all clubs.
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Tags: Captain Frenkie Jong disgrace champion Barcelona mirror Foreign football
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