Barcelona took a significant step towards displacing Atletico Madrid from the top of the LaLiga table as they beat Real Valladolid 1-0. The Blaugrana were helped by an Oscar Plano red card, before Ousmane Dembele scored the winner in the 90th minute. They moved one point behind Atletico as a result.
Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona are now just one point behind Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the Spanish La Liga table. The Blaugrana beat Real Valladolid by one goal to nil, to cut the points gap between themselves and their rivals to a single point. Atletico looked to have strolled away with the title at one point in the season, but Barcelona have clawed their way back into the title race following the Rojiblancos’ implosion.
Valladolid received the first big chance of the match, much against the run of play. The relegation-threatened side nearly took the lead through Kenan Kodro, only for his effort to cannon off the crossbar. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was beaten by Kodro’s effort but was rescued by the frame of the goal on that occasion.
Barcelona started to build momentum following Valladolid’s early chance. Lionel Messi first questioned goalkeeper – and La Masia graduate – Jordi Masip with his free-kick. However, the custodian saw the attempt sail off-target, much to his relief. Sergino Dest then had a penalty shout waved off by the referee after he clashed with Lucas Olaza in the Valladolid box. The attacking impetus had shifted onto Koeman’s men by that point.
They were nearly rewarded for their constant pressure too, just before half-time. Teenage star Pedri’s shot from range looked to be heading in for a goal, only for Masip to turn it away onto the post. The two sides went into the break level on the score, but having hit the frame of the goal once each.
The tide turned Barcelona’s way when the referee showed midfielder Oscar Plano the red card. Plano caught Ousmane Dembele from behind and was given his marching orders straightaway despite his teammates’ appeals.
Barcelona took advantage of the extra man late into the match, as Dembele scored the winner late on. The Frenchman was at the right place at the right time to smash in a cross and give his side the win. As a result of his late goal, Koeman’s team extended their unbeaten run to six games and moved to a point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
