Barcelona runs ahead of Real despite red card and missed penalty against Valencia

FC Barcelona has further advanced on the title battle with Real Madrid. Frenkie de Jong’s team made no mistake against relegation candidate Valencia CF (1-0), while Real did not go beyond 0-0 on a visit to Real Betis.

Leaders Barcelona are now nine points ahead of Real Madrid. In two weeks the topper between the two is scheduled.

Against Valencia, Barcelona were missing Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski through injury, while Gavi was also unavailable due to a suspension. That hardly bothered Barcelona and after just 15 minutes Raphina headed the home side to 1-0 from a Sergio Busquets cross.

Barça then slowed down, as Valencia were hardly a threat. Partly for this reason, Frenkie de Jong was allowed to stay in the locker room after the first half.

Also after halftime everything took place in the Valencia half, which was lucky that Ferran Torres rammed a penalty against the post, and Ansu Fati did the same after an attack.

Only after red for Ronald Araújo did Valencia push the home team back. However, the equalizer would not fall. Substitute Justin Kluivert had another chance in the closing seconds, his shot did not surprise goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

Real Madrid was the better team in Sevilla, but coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team missed all the chances it got.