If persistence and desire for victory were what counted, the fans at Mestalla would be celebrating tonight. But since goals are what matter, the home supporters left feeling disappointed. Barcelona defeated Valencia 2-1 after a comeback, marking a positive start to the era with Hansi Flick at the helm. Although the star of Spain’s national team at the recent European Championship in Germany, Lamine Yamal, was in the starting lineup, the hero of the match was the twice-as-old Robert Lewandowski.Barcelona fans had hoped to start the season with a national team duo on the wings—Yamal and Nico Williams—but the latter chose to stay at Athletic Bilbao, leaving Ferran Torres on the opposite side of the teenage sensation, with Raphinha in between them. Offensively, Barcelona didn’t look bad, but they left too much space at the back for their opponents. It took the visitors a long time to cope with Valencia’s pressure and quick counterattacks. It wasn’t until the second half that they managed to neutralize the Bats and establish control over the match, largely thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s goal just moments before halftime.The Pole reacted brilliantly in the fifth minute of stoppage time to Jamal’s pass after Balde’s cross. He was more skilful than Mosquera and gave Barcelona an equalizer after Hugo Duro scored a few minutes earlier. Then, not long after returning from half-time break, Robert Lewandowski took a penalty that forced Rafinha – again after Mosquera’s careless reaction – as if he was in a video game. Although it was only the 49th minute, it was the moment that decided the winner. The hosts tried to equalize and restore uncertainty, however, they did not have the strength. They will be sorry for the mistakes of Rafa Mir and Duro in the first half, as well as almost two own goals by Barça players, and especially for the situation in the first half stoppage when they could have taken a 2:0 lead. Ter Stegen made a big mistake by passing the ball to Diego Lopez instead of a teammate, Duro had a chance, but Cubarsi managed to intervene on the goal line itself. True, a few moments earlier, Valencia also survived a similar situation and the threat of 20-year-old Marco Casado, who played from the start in a rear midfielder tandem with his three-year-younger namesake, Bernal. It took them some time to get into the rhythm, probably the nervousness took its toll, but Flick can be satisfied with their release tonight.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 1Thursday Ath.Bilbao – Getafe 1-1 (1-0)/Sancet 27 – Uche 64/Betis – Girona 1-1 (1-0)/Bartra 6 – Misehouy 72/Friday Celta – Alaves 2-1 (0-1)/Swedberg, 66, Aspas 84 – Garcia 17/Las Palmas – Sevilla 2-2 (1-1)/Nianzou 42 og, Ramirez 71 – Suarez 25 og, Sanchez 61/Saturday Osasuna – Leganes 1-1 (0-1)/Soriano 79(og) – Cruz 22/Valencia – Barcelona 1-2 (1-1)/Duro 44 – Lewandowski, 45+5 49(p)/Sunday 20.00: (1.62) Sociedad (3.50) Rayo Vallecano (6.50)22.30: (6.75) Mallorca (4.00) Real Madrid (1.53)Monday 20.00: (2.40) Valladolid (3.25) Espanyol (3.30)22.30: (3.25) Villareal (3.45) Atl.Madrid (2.20)***odds are subject to change***
