The Spanish champions’ 100% record for the new season remains intact… just
Barcelona earned themselves a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Real Valladolid on Saturday evening. Although Ernesto Valverde’s side had the majority of the possession and attempts on goal, they were far from their best.
One contributory factor to this was the new playing surfaced on which the game was played. The pitch was only laid at the Estadio José Zorrilla last week and huge divots began to appear within minutes of kick-off.
Although this made it difficult for Barca, a side famed for its intricate passing style, they were able to take a lead courtesy of Ousmane Dembele with just over half an hour still to play.
Well, the pitch might not be class, but @FCBarcelona 's class shines through. @Dembouz connects at the end of a lovely move. It's @realvalladolid 0 – #Barca 1. #VLLBAR #PURESPORT pic.twitter.com/mPcMppXixR
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) August 25, 2018
The goal proved to be the only one of the entire game, although for a few seconds in injury time, it seemed the home side had rescued a point. In the second of three minutes of stoppage time, Keko headed home. Despite the celebrations which followed, the goal was soon ruled out after VAR alerted the referee that the forward had been marginally offside at the time the cross was played to him.
Well, would you believe it? Keko thinks he has rescued a point for @realvalladolid, but VAR comes to the rescue of @FCBarcelona. The game ends Valladolid 0 – Barca 1. #PURESPORT pic.twitter.com/Tn8Y0Wq5x4
— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) August 25, 2018
It was the right call, one that prevented Barca from dropping two points to the newly promoted side. At the end of the season, this could be looked back on as a crucial decision.
Although La Liga’s decision to use VAR can be viewed as progress, the fact the game was allowed to be played on such a poor playing surface was seen by some as the total opposite. Amongst those to criticise it after the game was Barca captain, Gerard Pique.
“They want to take games to the United States, but the first thing they need to do is worry about what is at home,” Pique said in a interview after the game. “The state of the pitch was shameful… deplorable.”
