Match Report: VCF lose out in high-scoring game at Camp Nou

Valencia CF fell to a 5-2 defeat at the Camp Nou on Matchday 4 of the LaLiga season, losing out in an open game on one of the toughest away trips of the season. Two goals in the initial minutes proved decisive for the home side, with FC Barcelona denying VCF points in Albert Celades' debut in the dugout.

Valencia CF were on the back foot early, as Barça's teenage talent Ansu Fati chipped the ball over Jasper Cillessen on 2 minutes to open the scoring.
Four minutes later, Frenkie  de Jong doubled the lead for the home team, with VCF barely given time to get into the match before it was 2-0.

It would be just past the quarter hour mark that Celades' men got their first clear chance on goal, as Kevin Gameiro combined with Rodrigo. A slight hesitation from the latter prevented him from testing Ter Stegen between the sticks for the hosts.

Gameiro would enjoy an opportunity of his own on 20 minutes, beating Nelson Semedo in a footrace for the ball but striking wide.

With Gameiro up for the challenge of getting his side back into the game, a goal was always coming. It came off a pass played through the defence, a clinical finish across the goalkeeper's body, a bounce off the post and an agonising delay to see whether the VAR would decide in Valencia CF's favour. When it did, they were back in the game with time to spare before half time.

Whilst Ansu provided the danger for Barça, Gameiro did likewise for Valencia CF. He came close to doubling his tally for the night, with a one-on-one with Ter Stegen that the keeper kept out.

At halftime, VCF trailed by a single goal, 2-1.

The lineups remained unchanged for the second half. Upon the restart, Celades' men pushed high up the pitch and showed plenty of intensity, but they would concede again when Antoine Griezmann's shot was put in off the rebound by Gerard Piqué, taking the score to 3-1.

Ten minutes later, and after a Semedo shot hit the post, second half substitute Luis Suarez extended the advantage for Barça.

A triple save by Cillessen kept the score down, before Celades decided to make a change and bring on Kang In to freshen up the attack. Maxi Gómez came on shortly after, with no sign of Valencia CF giving up.

Barça scored their fifth when Súarez struck again, off a shot that had emanated from a goalline clearance by Daniel Wass.

Maxi Gómez opened his goal account for the club in the final move of the game, finishing off a Cheryshev cross, making it 5-2 at the final whistle.

The final score was a harsh result for Valencia CF, who now turn their focus to Chelsea and their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

MATCH STATS

FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Lenglet, Piqué, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Arthur (Arturo Vidal, 72’), De Jong (Rakitic, 69’), Carles Pérez, Ansu Fati (Luis Suárez, 59’) and Griezmann.

Valencia CF: Cillessen, Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Garay, Gayà, Coquelin, Parejo, Ferran Torres (Kang In, 66’), Guedes (Cheryshev, 66’), Gameiro and Rodrigo (Maxi Gómez, 71’).

Goals: 1-0, Ansu Fati, min 1; 2-0, De Jong min 6’; 2-1, Gameiro minuto 26; 3-1, Piqué min 51’; 4-1, Luis Suárez min 61; 5-1, Luis Suárez, min 81; 5-2 Maxi Gómez min 92.

Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez (Colegio Murciano). Yellow cards for Rodrigo (30’), Kang In (68’) and Maxi Gómez (77’) for Valencia CF; Jordi Alba (53’) for FC Barcelona.