Second Camp Nou game of the season finished just like the first one. 5-2 win for Barcelona. Good win over Valencia who went undefeated in this match up last season, drawing both La Liga games and winning Copa del Rey final.
Fati who became Barcelona's youngest ever goalscorer two weeks ago delivered again with just three minutes gone. De Jong assisted, Griezmann let the ball go and Fati finished it first time. He then returned the favor by getting past the defenders on the left wing and assisting De Jong for an easy finish and his first goal for Barcelona.
Valencia halved the deficit before halftime with a quick simple move finished by Gameiro. But the two goal lead was restored early in the second half when Griezmann's shot was deflected on to the post by our former goalkeeper Cillessen while Pique was there to tap in the rebound.
Suarez had a great return from injury. Coming off the bench at the hour mark, he scored only half a minute later. Just outside the area, both him and the ball stood still, and he fired it beautifully into the low near corner in off the post. Near the end of the game he fired in another in the same corner, though from closer range and with a bit more space given. Valencia managed to score a consolation goal in injury time to make it 5-2 at the end.
The goals are there, 12 already, but unfortunately too many have been conceded. 7 in just four games. Even though the team didn't allow Valencia many chances tonight, it is something to work on. We might get away with it in La Liga, after all we were just one stupid Pique handball away from being top of the table already. But in the Champions League that can easily be punished if our forwards don't have the best day. As we have seen at the Olimpico and Anfield. With unfortunate Umtiti set to spend some more time on the sidelines, this part of the team is a legit concern. Once again it's a shame the board missed out on De Ligt in the summer. But since he had his doubts, I can't blame them for backing off. Doing what Cruyff said a long time ago...
Can't wait for Leo to recover from his injury. It's good that the club are taking their time with him as he is approaching late years of his career while still being priceless to the team, but it's been a while. Still hasn't featured this season. With our new Champions League redemption attempt starting next Tuesday at a very tough ground that is Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, his return would be most welcome. But since it's only four days from now, I am not so optimistic about that. Maybe against Granada next weekend. Want to see how he, Suarez and Griezmann will look together.
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What a spectacular bicycle kick goal from Neymar to win the game in injury time for PSG by the way.