Barcelona 2-0 Valencia : 5 talking points

Barcelona toiled away to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Valencia as goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi secured 3 crucial points to stay ahead of rivals Real Madrid.Billed as second of the most cardinal game remaining for Blaugrana (the other one being away to Atletico), the home side took the lead in as early as 57 seconds when an in-form Suarez latched on to a pass from Messi to unleash a low drive straight into the bottom corner.Thereon, it was the visitors who took control of the game as they created numerous opportunities to equalise and had even won a penalty early on. Valencia, however, spurned their chances and Messi put the final nail in the coffin when he marauded down the Valencia half, after collecting a pass from Neymar, to go one on one with the Diego Alves and eventually tucking the ball away calmly into the net for his 400th Barcelona goal.Here are the 5 talking points from the game. 

#1 Valencia deserved alteast a point from this game

Playing Valencia is always going to be difficult, be it at home or away and Barcelona know it very well. After the opener by Suarez, the visitors laid down the law from there on and pegged the home team back by their high pressing game.

Valencia enjoyed greater possession in the opening 45 minutes and also created the better chances going forward. Parejo’s tame effort from the penalty spot did not dent their confidence as Rodrigo, Paco Alacer and Andre Gomes were absolutely menacing, troubling the Barca defence no end. 

In the second half, the visitors dropped deep, allowing Barca to have the ball and attempting to attack on the counter. Although they put up an equally valiant performance in the closing half of the game, a moment of recklessness allowed an unmarked Messi to fire home the second of the evening, thereby ending all hopes of a draw.

Valencia lost the game, but for all their courageous efforts, deserved to leave the pitch with a point or two.