Valencia came to Camp Nou unbeaten in 10 games and looking well set for Champions League qualification for next season. The run has ended but their status as an emerging power is confirmed.
A lot of teams would fold after falling 1-0 behind before all the fans had taken to their seats. But Valencia showed superb character to react to going behind and should really have been ahead in the game by half-time.
Rodrigo, Feghouli, Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer were superb in the first half, showing a mix of physicality and skill that the Barca defence just could not deal with. Valencia's finishing was awry however, with only two shots on target from their nine attempts in the first half. Paco Alcacer struck the post when free 15 yards out and ex-Madrid midfielder Parejo's penalty was poorly hit.
The visitors were less dangerous in the second half although the introduction of Alvaro Negredo with 15 minutes remaining did boost them.
By the end Barca were well in control, and only excellent defending from centre-back pairing Nicolas Otamendi and Shkodran Mustafi kept the score down.
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