Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Hansi Flick’s depleted Barcelona facet got here from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 of their opening recreation of the season in LaLiga.
Barca have been with out a number of key gamers together with Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan for his or her first aggressive recreation beneath Flick, and so they have been put beneath intense stress within the first half on the Mestalla.
Valencia produced an brisk show and hit the entrance after 44 minutes as Hugo Duro headed Diego Lopez’s supply previous Marc-Andre ter Stegen from shut vary.
Duro nearly doubled Los Che’s lead when he noticed an effort cleared off the road in first-half stoppage time, and Barca instantly went up the opposite finish to degree.
Lewandowski tapped dwelling a cross from Euro 2024 breakout star Lamine Yamal 5 minutes into first-half stoppage time, then doubled up shortly after the break.
Raphinha was felled inside the realm by Cristhian Mosquera, permitting Lewandowski to blast an unstoppable penalty into the highest nook for what proved to be the winner.
Knowledge Debrief: Flick off to flying begin
Flick seemed more likely to endure a troublesome begin to his Barca reign when Valencia penned his staff again within the first half, however Lewandowski netted twice in 4 minutes both facet of half-time to flip the encounter on its head.
Flick is the third German to teach Barca in LaLiga after Hennes Weisweiler and Udo Lattek, and all three gained their first match on the helm.
3 – Hansi Flick has develop into the third German to teach Barcelona in @LaLigaEN, after Hennes Weisweiler and Udo Lattek, making his debut with a win like his two predecessors.
Tuning. pic.twitter.com/dnTMmVbpCv
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 17, 2024