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Barcelona overcame an early setback to secure a 2-1 victory against already-relegated Real Valladolid on Saturday, extending their lead in La Liga and inching closer to the title.
The Catalan club made significant changes to their lineup with an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, but found themselves trailing after Ivan Sanchez scored an early deflected goal.
In the second half, goals from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez helped Barcelona move seven points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who will face Celta Vigo on Sunday, just before the Clasico on May 11. Coach Hansi Flick only retained two starters from the thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter in the first leg — Pedri Gonzalez and Gerard Martin.
Flick reintroduced German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who made his first appearance since September following a lengthy injury absence. However, within six minutes, Ter Stegen was retrieving the ball from the back of the net as Martin's shot from the right deflected off Ronald Araujo and looped into the top corner past him.
Despite taking the lead against the league leaders, Valladolid fans protested against their majority owner and president Ronaldo, the former Brazilian star, by tossing fake banknotes featuring his face and chanting for him to resign. Goalkeeper Andre Ferreira denied Pau Victor's header after a well-placed cross from Fermin Lopez and made a fine save from Ansu Fati.
Barca debutant Dani Rodriguez suffered a shoulder injury that required extensive bandaging, prompting Flick to substitute him with 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal. Yamal had excelled against Inter midweek, and despite Flick’s hopes to rest him, he was brought on as Barcelona trailed.
Flick also substituted Pedri and Ansu at halftime, introducing Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong to energize his squad. Shortly after Yamal was fouled in the second half, Raphinha tested Ferreira with a free-kick from a wide position, which the keeper managed to push behind.
Barca's wingers played a crucial role in leveling the score, as Yamal delivered a threatening cross that Ferreira could only push to the edge of the box. Raphinha seized the loose ball and calmly netted his 16th league goal of the season. Just seven minutes later, Barcelona took the lead when Martin fed the ball to Lopez, who scored from just inside the penalty area.
Hector Fort nearly made it 3-1 after Yamal set him up with a backheel; he skillfully turned in the box but struck the post instead.
In the dying minutes, Ferreira dealt with a Dani Olmo free-kick, and Barcelona failed to increase their lead. Araujo executed a crucial interception in stoppage time to quell any threats from the bottom-placed side, providing a sigh of relief for Barcelona as they secured three essential points.
