MX23RW : Tuesday, January 28 02:12:03| >> :60:2491:2491:
[monks data]
Attendance: 46,249
Valencia logo
La Liga | Gameweek 8
Oct 7, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-1

Garay (2')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Messi (23')

Barcelona held to draw by Valencia

Barcelona fail to move back to the top of La Liga after being held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia in Sunday's fixture at the Mestalla.

Barcelona have failed to win in La Liga for the fourth successive match after being held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia in Sunday's clash at the Mestalla.

Ezequiel Garay put Valencia into an early lead and although Lionel Messi quickly equalised for the Catalan giants, they did not do enough in the final third to break down a resolute Valencia defence for a second time.

Barcelona drop down to second place after Sevilla's win over Celta Vigo earlier in the day, while Valencia are now 14th after a sixth draw in eight league matches.

Valencia went into this match having struggled for goals in recent weeks, but it took the home side less than two minutes to go in front against last season's champions.

An inswinging corner was not dealt with by Gerard Pique, who only glanced the ball into the path of Garay who converted into an empty net from two yards at the back post.

Michy Batshuayi then had a low shot tipped behind by Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Geoffrey Kondogbia also went close with an effort from long range, but Valencia were soon dealt a huge blow when Goncalo Guedes was forced off with a knee injury.

That prevented the home side from building on their early momentum and Barca gradually eased their way into the game before finding an equaliser midway through the half as Messi exchanged a one-two with Suarez before finding the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

The visitors had the better of the game heading into the break but Ernesto Valverde's outfit were struggling to create much space in the final third, and Valencia almost regained the lead on the break with Jose Gaya lashing a well-struck effort marginally wide of the far post.

Valencia went onto the front foot after the restart with Denis Cheryshev sending a shot just over with the outside of his boot, while Philippe Coutinho went close with a long-range strike at the other end.

Messi almost capped a fine team move with a second goal, only for Neto to keep his shot out at the near post, but that proved to be Barca's last opening until the final quarter of the game as Valencia showed more ambition going forward.

Barcelona continued to dominate possession but they were struggling to find a way past the impressive Garay and Gabriel Paulista, who were leaving Neto will little to do between the sticks.

Neither team were able to create anything during the final 10 minutes, and the game quickly petered out with both clubs setting for a point apiece ahead of the international break.

VALENCIA (4-4-2): Neto; Piccini, Garay, Paulista, Gaya; Soler, Parejo, Kondogbia (Coquelin 79'), Guedes (Cheryshev 12'); Gameiro (Rodrigo 67'), Batshuayi

BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur (Rafinha 88'); Coutinho (Dembele 84'), Messi, L.Suarez

ID:338099: cacheID:338099:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5248:
Written by
Darren Plant
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rodrigo Moreno in action for Valencia in the Copa del Rey on January 17, 2018
Read Next:
How Valencia could line up against Man Utd
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid21154250203049
2Atletico MadridAtletico21136235142145
3Barcelona21133559243542
4Athletic Bilbao21117331181340
5Villarreal219753932734
6Mallorca219391926-730
7Rayo Vallecano217862524129
8GironaGirona218492929028
9Real Sociedad218491717028
10Real BetisBetis217772326-328
11Osasuna216962530-527
12Sevilla217682430-627
13Celta Vigo2174103033-325
14Getafe215881717023
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2165102634-823
16Leganes215881929-1023
17AlavesAlaves2156102533-821
18Espanyol2155112033-1320
19Valencia2137112036-1616
20Real ValladolidValladolid2143141442-2815


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!