VALLADOLID
Barcelona survived a scare as they came from behind to beat already-relegated Real Valladolid 2-1 on Saturday to extend their La Liga lead and move one step closer to the title. The Catalan giants heavily rotated with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final clash at Inter Milan in mind and fell behind to Ivan Sanchez’s early deflected goal.
However second half strikes by Raphinha and Fermin Lopez helped Barca climb seven points clear of second-place champions Real Madrid, who host Celta Vigo on Sunday ahead of the Clasico on May 11. Barca coach Hansi Flick kept just two players who started the blockbuster 3-3 first leg draw with Inter on Wednesday in his side — Pedri Gonzalez and Gerard Martin.
Flick brought in his German compatriot Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, after a long injury lay-off, for his first appearance since September. “I was really looking forward to playing this game and it’s always better with a win for the team,” Ter Stegen told DAZN. “We stayed in the same dynamic, which was super important, and we’re excited for the weeks ahead of us with spectacular games.”
