Barca battle to overcome stubborn Valladolid

Matt Morley 6 years ago 7.3k |

Reading time: minutes

Dembele's goal proved key. EFE

Ousmane Dembele's second-half strike was enough for Barcelona to overcome a stubborn Real Valladolid side on Saturday as they maintained their perfect start to their LaLiga title defence.

Unsurprisingly, Barca dominated possession during the first half, but they were frustrated for long periods by the newly-promoted side.

Ousmane Dembele looked lively in spells and he had the game's first effort as he fizzed over from a narrow angle out on the left.

The hosts quickly replied in kind as the impressive Enes Unal called Marc-Andre Stegen into action with a rising drive from just inside the box.

Dembele twice failed to find the target from range as he tried his luck at every opportunity, but when the Catalan side did hit the target they were met by stubborn resitance in the form of Barca academy product Jordi Masip.

The Valladolid goalkeeper made a series of strong saves in the first half, the pick of which coming as he raced off his line to deny the usually reliable Luis Suarez after he was played in by a fine Philippe Coutinho pass.

The Brazilian was the next to be denied as the hosts battled to keep the game goalless at the break.

They succeded in doing so, but just before the hour mark their resistance was finally broken.

Sergi Roberto did well to rise and head a deep ball back into the path of Dembele from the Valladolid byline and the France international did the rest, sweeping home beyond Masip to give his side the lead.

It always promised to be a herculean task for the minnows to get anything out of the game form that point, but they went about their task gamely.

Substitute Keko Gontan ought to have done much better when he could only guide a free header at Ter Stegen from seven yards, before Kiko Olivas saw another headed effort kept out by the German after meeting a right-wing corner.

Luis Suarez thought he had sealed the win with seven minutes to go as he slotted beyond Masip after being played in, but the linesman was quick to raise his flag, with the Uruguayan having just strayed.

Masip continued his impressive game by making one last stop from Malcom, but the real drama was made to wait until stoppage time.

Keko thought he had made amends for his earlier miss as he got in ahead of Pique and Ter Stegen to head home at the near post, only for his effort to be chalked off for offside by the Video Assistant Referee.

That decision ensured Barca maintained their 100% start to the new season, albeit by the narrowest of margins.