Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona to ship a battling 2-1 win at Valencia of their La Liga opener on Saturday. The German coach celebrated his first aggressive match on the helm with three factors as Barca got here from behind towards Ruben Baraja’s stable Valencia aspect. Hugo Duro despatched the hosts forward after 44 minutes however veteran Polish striker Lewandowski levelled from shut vary earlier than the break and netted a penalty early within the second half. With champions Real Madrid, led by new famous person Kylian Mbappe, in motion on Sunday at Real Mallorca, Barcelona began their bid to steal the crown with a powerful outcome at Valencia’s rowdy Mestalla stadium.
Barca had been with out key gamers, together with Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo and Flick chosen three 17-year-olds in his beginning line-up.
They had been Spain’s Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal, whose father was stabbed earlier this week in a violent assault, Pau Cubarsi and midfielder Marc Bernal, the latter making his debut.
“In the second half I believe we performed a lot better and with three or 4 very younger gamers — I believe this match is essential, to win firstly of the season, particularly at this stadium in Valencia, it is very troublesome,” Lewandowski advised Movistar.
“My intention is all the time to attain targets, I do not know what number of targets by the top of the season, however it is rather essential for me that as as we speak was the primary recreation, (I obtained) targets for confidence.”
Barcelona’s summer season signing Dani Olmo shouldn’t be but registered to play and Flick stated the playmaker nonetheless must stand up to hurry by way of health.
The coach was happier together with his group’s second half show than their efficiency earlier than the break.
“The second half was a lot better than the primary half (the place) we made a number of errors,” Flick advised Movistar.
“We got here again on the finish of the primary half and within the second half, we did a lot better.”
An even first half burst into life because the break beckoned after the groups managed to create few clear possibilities within the first 40 minutes.
Duro nodded one of the best of them over the bar from a nook, whereas Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a fierce Raphinha drive.
Valencia took the lead within the forty fourth minute, with Duro nodding house Diego Lopez’s cross after dropping Inigo Martinez, who performed him onside.
Los Che ought to have doubled their lead however Cubarsi hacked Duro’s effort to security off the road after Marc-Andre ter Stegen gave the ball away.
Lewandowski grabbed the leveller in stoppage time, turning house from shut vary after Yamal diverted Alejandro Balde’s cross again into the hazard space.
Barcelona moved forward quickly after the break when Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera felled Raphinha within the space.
Lewandowski, who turns 36 subsequent week, hammered the ensuing penalty into the highest nook with aplomb.
Barcelona stored Valencia at arm’s size for many of the second half, guaranteeing the tempo of the sport was sluggish.
The Catalans had the higher possibilities to attain once more with Ferran Torres sending a weak effort straight at Mamardashvili when by, whereas midfielder Marc Casado fired huge when effectively positioned late on.
Lewandowski had an opportunity to finish his hat-trick in stoppage time however rifled over the bar.
“In the ultimate phases we had this match beneath management,” added the previous Bayern Munich striker, who performed beneath Flick in Germany.
“We took step one on the primary match day, and now we now have three video games (developing in La Liga) which might be crucial.”
Yamal was applauded after being substituted by some Valencia followers for his performances with Spain as they gained the Euros.
“Lamine is a superb participant and I believe everybody likes to see him enjoying soccer… I believe you possibly can say all of the world likes to see him play,” added Flick.
Barcelona host Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao subsequent Saturday of their subsequent league match.
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