The Hansi Flick era is off to an ideal start as the Catalans emerge victorious in a challenging fixture against Valencia at Mestalla. The Catalans were able to grit out a favourable result in a game where they were fiercely challenged, owing to the vital contributions of Robert Lewandowski.
As the game kicked off, Barcelona’s difference in approach compared to past seasons was clearly evident. Flick’s open and expansive game allowed the Catalans to continuously maintain possession, and regain it when it was lost.
However, Valencia were allowed to counter attack at a great deal of spaces left in behind by Barca’s aggressive formational positioning. This is where Valencia are most notably proficient. This led to Valencia finding themselves in opportune positions to score for much of the first half.
This continuous pressure finally paid off as it was Diego Lopez’s precise cross that was met by Hugo Duro’s header beating the inactive presence of Ter Stegen in goal. Although the goal was initially ruled offside, VAR intervened to ensure that Valencia got their hard earned opener.
Upon conceding this goal, the Catalans woke up as Balde almost immediately crafted an opportunity for Casado to score on debut but was met with a heroic clearance.
Soon after, Ter Stegen’s horrific pass was bound to put Valencia 2-0 up but Pau Cubarsi produced one of the finest goal line clearances of the year to keep Barcelona in the game.
However just as the first half was about to be concluded, Balde’s impeccable cross to Yamal on the opposite flank was met with a grounded cross into the sliding feet of Robert Lewandowski, producing the first Barcelona goal of the Hansi Flick era.
Barcelona came out energised in the second half. Within the first minute, Lamine Yamal had an opportunity to give the Catalans the lead but failed to make his mark.
A minute later, Raphinha was at the receiving end of a pass into Valencia’s box but was brought down with the referee immediately signalling for a penalty. Lewandowski fired home a sensational penalty to give the Catalans the lead and add to his personal goal tally.
From there on Barca looked structured, they negated almost all of Valencia’s offensive creativity. They looked in complete control of the game and if their finishing was on point, they could have added a couple of more goals to their lead.
Flick was able to test out his squad by subbing on Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin into the game. However, most unfortunately, Balde was taken off due to discomfort in his hamstring as he could have his season extensively affected yet again by a muscle injury.
All in all, Barca start off their 2024/25 campaign in winning ways as they were able to secure a victory in hostile conditions against one of Spain’s better mid tier teams.
