🇪🇸 Barcelona edge past Valencia to hand Flick a winning start in LaLiga | OneFootball

Scorers: Duro 44'; Lewandowski 45+5', 51' (Pen)

Barcelona came from a goal down to beat Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium and hand Hansi Flick a perfect start as new boss in the process.

The visitors began the stronger side but it was Valencia who had the better chances in the opening half hour, with some last ditch defending and goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen coming to the Blaugrana's rescue.

Eventually, the pressure told four minutes before half time when Hugo Duro rose to powerfully head a Diego Lopez cross past Ter-Stegen, which was initially ruled out but was restored courtesy of VAR.

It was only a goalline clearance from Pau Cubarsí that stopped Duro grabbing a second and putting Barcelona 2-0 down moments later.

And that proved a turning point as Robert Lewandowski slid in to level proceedings with the final kick of the half.

Moments into the second half the turnaround could have been complete, only for Lamine Yamal to fire a tame shot into the hands of Georgi Mamardashvili.

Just a minute later they were given an even better chance when Raphinha was fouled by Mosquera, leading to Barcelona being handed a penalty. Lewandowski stepped up and duly found the top corner to turn the tie on it's head.

The Blaugrana were handed a blow midway through the second half when Alejandro Balde, making his first competitive start since January, was forced off with another hamstring injury but Valencia offered far less threat as Flick's side grabbed hold of the game.

Pedri and Lewandowski both saw efforts deflected wide as they chased a third goal, but despite their efforts they could not find the goal to hand them breathing room.

Nonetheless, a goal either side of half-time proved enough to hand Flick his first win at the helm.