Lewandowski brace earns Flick first Barcelona win
Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona to deliver a battling 2-1 win at Valencia in their La Liga opener on Saturday.
Hugo Duro sent the hosts ahead after 44 minutes but the veteran Polish striker, Lewandowski, levelled from close range before the break and netted a penalty early in the second half.
Barca were without key players, including Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo and Flick selected three 17-year-olds in his starting line-up.
They were Spain’s Euro 2024 star, Lamine Yamal, whose father was stabbed earlier this week in a violent attack, Pau Cubarsi and midfielder, Marc Bernal, the latter making his debut.
Barcelona’s summer signing, Dani Olmo, is not yet registered to play and Flick said the playmaker still needs to get up to speed in terms of fitness.
An even first half burst into life as the break beckoned after the teams managed to create few clear chances in the first 40 minutes.
Duro nodded the best of them over the bar from a corner, while Valencia goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, saved a fierce Raphinha drive.
Valencia took the lead in the 44th minute, with Duro nodding home Diego Lopez’s cross after losing Inigo Martinez, who played him onside.
Los Che should have doubled their lead but Cubarsi hacked Duro’s effort to safety off the line after Marc-Andre ter Stegen gave the ball away.
Lewandowski grabbed the leveller in stoppage time, turning home from close range after Yamal diverted Alejandro Balde’s cross back into the danger area.
Barcelona moved ahead soon after the break when Valencia defender, Cristhian Mosquera, felled Raphinha in the area.
Lewandowski, who turns 36 next week, hammered the resulting penalty into the top corner with aplomb.
–Eurosports
