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Ousmane Dembele‘s last-minute purpose earned Barcelona an enormous 1-0 win in opposition to 10-man Actual Valladolid at Camp Nou on Monday as they reduce the hole on Atletico Madrid to 1 level.
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After Atletico misplaced to Sevilla FC on Sunday, Barca appeared set to spurn the prospect to show up the warmth on the La Liga leaders till Dembele’s dramatic Ninetieth-minute strike earned a hard-fought three factors.
Each side hit the woodwork in an end-to-end first half. Kenan Kodro hit the bar for Actual Valladolid, who have been lacking a number of gamers on account of a coronavirus outbreak on the membership, and Pedri noticed an effort tipped on to the put up on the different finish by Jordi Masip.
Barca turned the stress up late on, although, when Oscar Plano was despatched off for a cynical foul on Dembele and Ronald Koeman’s facet ultimately made their numerical benefit rely.
Positives
Tv cameras confirmed Lionel Messi giving a pep discuss within the tunnel at halftime.
“Now we have to step it up a gear,” he mentioned to his teammates. “Now we have to win this nonetheless we are able to.”
At this stage of the season, with the title race now so tight (Actual Madrid are simply two factors again from Barca), performances typically exit the window with outcomes all that rely. Coming back from the worldwide break, Barca have been sluggish in opposition to Valladolid, however they received the job performed. They’re now 19 video games unbeaten within the league going into Saturday’s Clasico in opposition to Madrid.
Messi and Frenkie de Jong additionally managed to keep away from bookings that might have seen them suspended for that journey to Madrid.
Negatives
The efficiency was a step again following the 6-1 blitzing of Actual Sociedad previous to the worldwide break. Barca will hope the win will serve to blow away the cobwebs earlier than the Clasico. Antoine Griezmann‘s position within the group is the primary trigger for concern.
Supervisor ranking out of 10
6 — Koeman caught with the identical group and form that has served him so effectively in latest weeks, but it surely was maybe an evening to introduce one or two modifications. Was energetic within the second half, making 4 substitutes in an try and open up Valladolid.
Participant rankings (1-10; 10 = finest. These launched after 70 minutes get no ranking)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 — Did not have a lot to do however there have been some nervous moments as Valladolid hit the woodwork and appeared harmful on the counter.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 6 — Booked for stopping a Valladolid counter within the first half earlier than being changed by Araujo after the break.
DF Frenkie de Jong, 6 — Began on the again earlier than shifting into midfield. All the time appeared to drive ahead and create one thing.
DF Clement Lenglet, 6 — Has improved in latest weeks following a tricky spell.
MF Sergino Dest, 6 — Wasn’t afforded a lot area on the suitable and Barca struggled to open the sport as much as get the very best out of their full-backs.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 — Stored the ball effectively however wasn’t as artistic as he is been in latest months. Got here off within the second half.
MF Pedri, 7 — Pressed effectively and hit the put up within the first half, when he was Barca’s finest participant.
MF Jordi Alba, 6 — Let off the hook when VAR dominated his unintended handball wasn’t worthy of a penalty. Not at his finest within the last third, the place his decision-making let him down.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 5 — Labored arduous however ineffective in assault. Headed his finest likelihood vast of the goal with the purpose gaping minutes earlier than coming off halfway by means of the second half.
FW Lionel Messi, 6 — Got here shut with a second-half strike from 20 yards and performed Dembele in for an excellent likelihood. Normally, although, appeared a bit rusty after a two week break with no sport.
FW Ousmane Dembele, 7 — Denied by an excellent Masip save after being fed by Messi on the hour and was later concerned within the sport’s two defining moments. Was hacked down by Plano, who was despatched off, when in full circulate working ahead after which scored the dramatic late winner with a superb end.
Substitutes
DF Ronald Araujo, 6 — Got here on at centre-back however discovered himself at centre-forward as he gained an aerial battle that led to the purpose.
FW Francisco Trincao, 6 — Had a shot saved instantly after approaching however did not do an excessive amount of apart from that.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 6 — Supplied a wall for the likes of Messi to play off as Barca sought the winner.
MF Ilaix Moriba, NR — After enjoying a full sport for the B group on Saturday, he changed Pedri for the ultimate quarter-hour right here.
MF Riqui Puig, NR — Got here on for the ultimate three minutes however was concerned within the build-up for the purpose.
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