Valencia 1-1 Barcelona: Xavi’s side drop points in the title race as they squander lead after Joao Felix opened the scoring and have now failed to win any of their last three matches
- Barcelona lose two more points in the LaLiga title race after Valencia's draw
- Joao Felix's goal in the second half was not enough for the victory in Mestalla
- Do Man United have what it takes to exploit Liverpool's defensive vulnerability? It all starts
Barcelona produced another unconvincing performance, dropping a further two points in the title race as they drew 1-1 with Valencia.
Xavi's side have now failed to win any of their last three matches and if league leaders Girona win against Alaves on Monday they will be nine points ahead of their neighbours.
Joao Felix put Xavi's team ahead, but Hugo Guillamon leveled, meaning Barcelona have now conceded 19 goals this season – they only conceded 20 in all of last season. “We let too many points be taken away from us,” Pedri said after his team failed to get the victory a worrying week had called for.
Roman Yaremchuk made only his second start for Valencia and he had the best first chance with the home side's first attack. Barcelona's best chance in the first half fell to Robert Lewandowski, but his effort was comfortably saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili. The Polish striker had another quiet night in front of goal and when the breakthrough came he was not involved.
Frenkie de Jong tapped a clever ball over the top with the outside of his right foot and broke Valencia's offside trap. Rafinha crossed from the right and Joao Felix was there to roll the ball into the net from close range.
Joao Felix opened the scoring in Valencia after his 55th-minute goal put Barcelona in control
Felix struck from close range with a tap-in after Frenkie de Jong hit a ball over Valencia's defense
Raphinha almost scored the second when he rounded Jesus Vazquez and tried to beat Mamardashvili at his near post. The Georgian keeper made a brilliant save to keep Valencia in it.
And after Valencia was almost two goals behind, they leveled. Fran Perez's cross from the right looked innocent, but when Barcelona failed to clear the ball, the ball found Guillamon and he bent his shot past Iñaki Peña into the top corner.
Barcelona should have won the match with seven minutes to go, but Raphinha's shot was saved by Mamardashvili and when Raphinha tried to force the rebound over the line, 18-year-old substitute Yarek Gasiorowski threw himself in front of the shot around the near post to block.
Barcelona manager Xavi watched as his side dropped crucial points in the LaLiga title race
Hugo Guillamon's (right) late goal secured a late draw for the hosts in Valencia
Raphinha missed a great opportunity to double Barcelona's lead and cut a dejected figure after the match
Six minutes were added to the 90 and both sides deteriorated dramatically: Valencia devouring valuable time; Barcelona must try to win a late penalty after a corner.
Barcelona's final chance fell to former Valencia player Ferran Torres, who had come on in the second half, but Cristhian Mosquera picked the ball off his toe as he was about to finish.
hosted the show for 24 years and has previously said she was “devastated” when she was fired just three years ago, sparking anger among viewers. Pictured: Matt Dawson, Sue Barker and Phil Tufnell before being let go in 2020
It would have been tough for Valenica, boosted by a packed Mestalla. For Barcelona it is a point gain over Atletico Madrid, who lost earlier on Saturday, but it could be a two point loss over Real Madrid if they win on Sunday.
And when Girona kick-off against Alaves on Monday, they will know they can put nine points between themselves and Xavi's side if they win.
