Valencia 1-4 Barcelona: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on target as unbeaten run continues

2 years ago 45

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with his trademark somersault

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first Barcelona goals as they extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to nine matches with victory at Valencia.

Aubameyang, who joined from Arsenal for free on 2 February, was making his first start in La Liga and he slammed in the opener from Jordi Alba's pass.

Frenkie de Jong tapped in a second and Aubameyang converted from close range, despite a VAR check for offside.

Carlos Soler pulled one back before Pedri curled home superbly from range.

Substitute Pedri's strike may yet be given as an Aubameyang goal - that would secure his hat-trick - because the ball flicked off the Gabon international's back on its way to the net.

Aubameyang could also have achieved a hat-trick late on when a ball fell his way in the box, only for home keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to deny the 32-year-old.

Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets said: "Since Aubameyang arrived, he has been working hard. We know he hasn't played many minutes this season. He is a fabulous player and having him in the squad, having come here for free, is really positive for us."

Barca manager Xavi will be thrilled with his side's efficiency as they extended their unbeaten run in the league, which now stretches back to 4 December.

In the opening half, their three shots had produced three goals as Valencia paid for a slack 15-minute spell where Barca's quick passing simply clicked.

Valencia - now seven games without a win in the league - thought they had made it 3-1 before the break but Soler was denied when VAR ruled out a first ever goal in La Liga because the ball had gone out of play for a throw in.

Soler thrust a diving header in after half-time but Pedri's whipped effort ended any hope of a comeback.

"It's been an important victory today," added Busquets. "In the first half we were very efficient. That allowed us to dominate the game. It meant we were calm enough to play in our style. I think it was a good performance.

"In other games we have got ahead but have not been able to dominate and rivals have got back into the game. Today we did the job."

Line-ups

Valencia

Formation 4-4-2

28Mamardashvili
20Foulquier
12Diakhaby
15AldereteSubstituted forCömertat 85'minutes
14GayàSubstituted forLatorreat 65'minutesBooked at 76mins
10SolerBooked at 77mins
6GuillamónSubstituted forGómezat 45'minutes
23Kourouma KouroumaBooked at 53minsSubstituted forRacicat 66'minutes
21Gil
19DuroSubstituted forde Sousa Mendonçaat 85'minutes
7Gonçalo Guedes

Substitutes

1Doménech
3Latorre
4Musah
5Gabriel
8Racic
9Gómez
11Hélder Costa
17Cheryshev
22de Sousa Mendonça
24Cömert
32Vázquez
37Mosquera

Barcelona

Formation 4-3-3

1ter Stegen
2DestBooked at 90mins
4AraújoBooked at 56mins
24GarcíaSubstituted forMinguezaat 45'minutes
18AlbaBooked at 35mins
30Paez GaviriaSubstituted forTraoréat 81'minutes
5Busquets
21de JongSubstituted forGonzález Lópezat 60'minutes
7DembéléSubstituted forGonzález Iglesiasat 71'minutesBooked at 72mins
25AubameyangSubstituted forde Jongat 82'minutes
19Torres

Substitutes

6Puig Martí
11Traoré
12Braithwaite
13Murara Neto
14González Iglesias
16González López
17de Jong
22Mingueza
33Ezzalzouli
36Tenas

Referee:Carlos del Cerro Grande

Attendance:38,315

Live Text

Match ends, Valencia 1, Barcelona 4.
Second Half ends, Valencia 1, Barcelona 4.
Attempt saved. Carlos Soler (Valencia) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Uros Racic.
Pedri (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia).
Sergiño Dest (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Sergiño Dest (Barcelona).
Bryan Gil (Valencia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Valencia. Conceded by Pedri.
Corner, Valencia. Conceded by Sergiño Dest.
Substitution, Valencia. Eray Cömert replaces Omar Alderete.
Substitution, Valencia. Marcos André replaces Hugo Duro.
Corner, Valencia. Conceded by Marc-André ter Stegen.
Attempt missed. Hugo Duro (Valencia) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Gonçalo Guedes.
Luuk de Jong (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Omar Alderete (Valencia).
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Dimitri Foulquier (Valencia).
Substitution, Barcelona. Luuk de Jong replaces Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Substitution, Barcelona. Adama Traoré replaces Gavi.