hello from the catalan capital and one of the world's great cities barcelona i'm derek ray and
with me here on the commentary box is stuart robson and the focus is on one of the finest
leagues in world football la liga it's barcelona taking on valencia well derek we're looking
forward to this game you can't help but notice there are some great matchups all over the pitch
particularly in those central areas whichever team wins more of those battles will win the game
well memphis defy is well capable of changing the course of any game and it's reasonable to
assume stuart that he'll have his say in this one well derek he's the perfect finisher he's got a
great shot on him his movement is excellent and in 1v1 situations you always expect him to score
well this is what we think for barcelona mark andreito stegen and go frankie deyoung plays
with sergio busquets in central midfield and memphis starts in tandem with sergio aguero
and here's the lineup for valencia carlos solaire starts with denny's cherry chef in
the wide positions and the tactical configuration has two players in attack from the very outset
very much looking forward to this game as barcelona get the proceedings underway
well he went strongly into the challenge and the result is a throw in
he's very adept at protecting the ball
and unable to keep the ball
and valencia in a position of menace
well still an issue here
and i think the threat has been averted jerry chef gomez just couldn't capitalize there
sergio busquets well not the past he had in mind
cherry chef guy yeah
cherry chef well possibilities in the center gonzalo getch cherry chef
couldn't keep it
barcelona now and potentially a dangerous position the pie and a useful cross
and touched onto the frame of the goal and a fine stop
that's very effective good high pressing and they'll get ready for the throw in
oh a lovely ball nothing comes of the attack when all is said and done
plenty of room in the wide area it's with gaia now
cherry chef and creditors due for that good piece of defending
sergio busquets
they've regained possession
daniel vass
now with gabrielle paulista gomez and nicely struck
well the keeper kept it out with a minimum of fuss but it wasn't a great effort
well this has to get better because as those stats confirm the attacking play
from both sides just hasn't been good enough it's all been a little bit too cautious so far
chance to play us in able to deal with the threats
now that still could be dangerous good strength to keep the ball
lacrosse was very much on but not the end result they were hoping
for well the first 45 minutes have come and gone here in catalonia
well just reflecting on memphis depay in the first half stewart he wasn't really able to take the
game by the scruff of the neck and the manner that we associate with him well i've been disappointed
with him in that first half he just didn't have an impact on the game yes the service into him wasn't
plenty to consider based on what we've seen so far as the second half begins
valencia moving the ball forward what can they do
from here but a good piece of defending to bring it to an end
aguero
untidy in possession from barcelona
maximiliano gomez he's in
behind that is a tackle and a half
sergio aguero
all lost by barcelona once more
solaire and gomez with it cherry chef and options at the back post here
and a bit short with the clearance well nothing comes on
this might be ideal for the counter but it looked highly promising but it came to nothing in the end
lovely bowl over the top
gomez
interception to snuff out the danger
excellent ball over the top well a top-notch piece of defensive judgment
just 20 minutes remaining now bodies forward and the break looks on
oh a nice looking pass oh and it goes at long last deadlock broken
will that be the one that gives them the win
well just look at how poor the defending is here but i have to say
it's still a very tidy finish he looked really assured there
well a dramatic moment near the end and that might well be the decider 15 minutes left for play
now they're going to alter things here's the substitution
well as you see barcelona haven't had too much of the ball but what they've done
with it has been really good and they'll be happy with the way the game is being played
at the moment they love to play on the counter attack well not the best clearance what a lovely
strike lethal piece of finishing drilled home but true conviction tremendous goal
well here it is again and if you are going to clear the ball you have to
get height and distance on it to give your defense time to readjust and they don't do
that support clearance and suddenly the ball's in the back of the net
a second goal for them here
well great read there to intercept
coutinho
busquets
sergio busquets
and back with busquets
now busquets and he takes it on and foiled only by the crossbar
there it is victory more or less guaranteed now
well here's the replay and just look at his reaction to the initial shot
he's so sharp he deserves that goal
well it has been one-sided but they deserve the plaudits for the fact that they've kept going
and going the referee has decided that two additional minutes are in order
and that is that very satisfying from the bossa point of view
a victory here what did you think of their overall display
you're absolutely right derek their attacking play was excellent full of energy and pace
and the midfield completely dominated the game it was a great all-round performance
well he certainly contributed mightily didn't he i'm talking about memphis defy of course what did
you make of what you saw from him well i thought he was excellent not only did he score a good goal
but his general play was outstanding he certainly played a major part in their win here today