VALLADOLID: Real Valladolid earned an important 3-1 victory over champions Barcelona to boost their La Liga survival hopes on Tuesday.
The hosts were good value for their victory and climbed to 17th, moving provisionally three points clear of the relegation zone.
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen sent Valladolid on their way by heading into his own net in the second minute.
Canadian striker Cyle Larin added the second from the penalty spot after Eric Garcia tripped Gonzalo Plata in the area, with the Ecuadorian winger scoring the third on the break.
La Liga’s top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski pulled one back for the Catalans in the final stages.
Barcelona winger Raphinha revealed a message of support for Real Madrid winger and Brazil compatriot Vinicius Junior in the second half when he was substituted.
Vinicius was racially abused by Valencia fans on Sunday at their Mestalla stadium.
“I didn’t know he was going to do it but I think it’s a good message, because racism has to end,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong told DAZN, after Raphinha took his shirt off to show the message after being substituted.
Players from both sides held up a banner reading “racists out of football” before the game, as part of a La Liga and Spanish football federation initiative following the abuse on Sunday.
Young playmaker Pablo Torre started for the first time in La Liga for Barcelona and put in a bright performance but his team were sluggish as a whole and fell to a second consecutive defeat.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is still chasing the La Liga clean sheet record of 26 — he has 25 with two matches remaining.
Valladolid beat champions Barca to boost salvation hopes
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Valladolid beat champions Barca to boost salvation hopes
Athletic Bilbao will aim to upset Barcelona in Super Cup semi-final, says Valverde
JEDDAH: Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde has played down his side’s chances of winning the Spanish Super Cup, but insisted his team will give everything to overcome Barcelona in Wednesday’s semi-final in Jeddah.
“We are not the favorites to win the Super Cup but we will strive hard to beat Barcelona,” Valverde told reporters.
“Barcelona is a great team with a rich history, but Athletic Bilbao is capable of competing, and we will strive to win in order to boost confidence.”
Valverde added that his squad would be physically prepared for the contest, highlighting the importance of his attacking options.
“We will enter the match tomorrow prepared in terms of physical readiness, especially Nico and Iñaki, who undoubtedly represent an important addition to the team,” he said.
Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams said the team had travelled to Saudi Arabia determined to start the year on a positive note and make their supporters proud.
The winner of Wednesday’s encounter will meet either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s final, after their capital derby clash on Thursday.
