A rotation squad gets Barcelona closer to the LaLiga title

Barcelona wins against Real Valladolid with a squad full of rotations and they keep their position at the top in the LaLiga title race.

FC Barcelona Visited The José Zorrilla This Saturday to face the 20^th team on the LaLiga table, Real Valladolid. Keeping in mind the weakness of the team from Pucela, Hansi Flick decided to give rest to the players with the most minutes in their legs and make modifications to his usual line-up. The most important rotations were the return of Marc-André ter Stegen in goal after more than 220 days without playing an official match and the debut of academy player Dani Rodríguez.

The game would start with a surprising goal from Real Valladolid’s number 10, Iván Sánchez, in the first five minutes. The ball took a deflection on Ronald Araujo’s leg and flew into Ter Stegen’s net, who could do nothing but watch as the ball went well above his head.

The goal gave life to Real Valladolid, who then forced Ter Stegen to make a save on a one-on-one. The German goalkeeper quickly recovered after that first goal and his confidence would increase throughout the game, which is great news after a long-term knee injury that kept him away from football for eight months.

Despite the momentary victory, the José Zorrilla started protesting against the owner of the club, former Barcelona player Ronaldo Nazário. Money bills were thrown onto the pitch due to the mismanagement of a club that has only obtained 16 points in 34 matches.

Bad luck would strike Barcelona in the form of another injury. Academy right winger, Dani Rodríguez, who was playing his first match with the first team, suffered from a shoulder injury. His performance was good and daring when taking on rivals, but his replacement, Lamine Yamal, led the beginning of the Blaugranas rise and eventual comeback.

Barcelona dominated the game in the face of a Real Valladolid were trying their best to protect their goal. However, the culés still needed another ingredient in their mix, Raphinha. After half-time, the Brazilian would come in for Ansu Fati. He brought more danger to Barcelona’s attack and in the 54^th minute, he scored the equalizer after receiving the ball from a poor clearance from the rival goalkeeper, André Ferreira.

The second goal would come five minutes after the first one when Gerard Martín made a low pass to Fermín López, who was waiting at the edge of the box to strike the ball to the left of Real Valladolid’s keeper.

From then on, Barcelona would keep control of the rest of the match and have more chances overall, but the post, a defender on the goal line and Ferreira would save the Pucelanos from a greater disappointment. Real Valladolid’s attackers were unable to create that many more goal opportunities on the other end of the pitch.

FC Barcelona has four LaLiga matches to go with El Clásico taking place on the 11^th. The game against Real Valladolid was the perfect opportunity to make some necessary rotations before the second leg of the Champions League. Both titles are closer than ever, but Barcelona must remain focused in their quest for the treble.