Barcelona 2-1 Valencia: 3 things that went right for Barcelona
FC Barcelona played host to Valencia at the Camp Nou in La Liga, as they looked to continue their unbeaten run in the league.
Ernesto Valverde has made two changes to the side that lost to AS Roma. Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho returned to the Barcelona starting XI.
Marcelino, meanwhile, has made just one change to the team that beat Espanyol 1-0, with Ruben Vezo coming in at the right-back. Valencia is unbeaten in their last 9 La Liga games, winning 8 of them.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and Samuel Umtiti made it 2-0 in the 51st. A late goal from Daniel Parejo could not save Valencia as they went down fighting at the Camp Nou.
Without much ado, let's have a look at the 3 things that went right for the host.
#3 Early goal set the platform for Barcelona
Valencia started the game well and threatened Barcelona goal twice in the first five minutes. Barcelona created their first chance in the eighth minute but, Luis Suarez mistimed his effort, 12 yards out. A few minutes later, Jordi Alba forced goalkeeper Neto into making a brilliant save.
Suarez opened the scoring in the 15th minute for the Catalan giants. Philippe Coutinho made an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Suarez six yards out, and the Uruguayan struck it past Neto into the bottom right corner of the net.
It was a well-orchestrated goal by Ernesto Valverde's side and the early goal settled their nerves.