Barcelona

Live updates as Valencia host Barcelona at Mestalla on LaLiga matchday 12 today, Saturday 29 October 2022. Kick-off: 3pm ET/12 noon PT.

We have a lot of faith in him and what we don’t is for him to be harmful to our interests.” What happened in the Champions League is a bitter disappointment, but we have other competitions left to compete in and we can still have an excellent season. Alba lifts the ball forward for Fati to chase, but Gabriel is quickly across to shepherd the ball behind. A gaggle of white shirts is quickly on the Frenchman, though, and he is crowded out before he can get a shot away. I think it’ll be a good game for the fan to watch.” Pedri carries the ball forward before slipping a delicious little slide-rule pass through to Dembélé, who's suddenly scampering in behind the Valencia defence and into the box. The Pole advances towards the Valencia box before feeding it left to Fati... He slices his strike a good yard or two wide, though, and Alba isn't happy at all that the Dutchman didn't pass it to him. An inch to the left and it's into the corner, but it bounces back off the woodwork! It's a little too long, and Ter Stegen is swiftly off his line to come out and grab the ball. To Kluivert's right, Foulquier makes a darting run into the area, but Koundé does very well to read the forwards' intentions and cut out his pass towards his team-mate. Alba pings in a cross to the back stick, where the striker rises highest to nod downwards.

Out of the Champions League, Robert Lewandowski ensured Barcelona didn't see their LaLiga campaign take a hit with a late winner over Valencia.

Right-back [Sergi Roberto](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/150225/Sergi-Roberto) is also out of action and [Hector Bellerin](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/178978/Héctor-Bellerín) has only just returned. Barca's backline for the final minutes consisted of three left-backs -- [Marcos Alonso](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/146127/Marcos-Alonso), [Jordi Alba](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/121021/Jordi-Alba) and Alejandro Balde -- and [Gerard Pique](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/45931/Gerard-Piqué). [Real Sociedad](/soccer/team?id=89) on Nov. 6 and then hosting [Real Betis](/soccer/team?id=244) on Nov. [Spain](/soccer/team?id=164) left-backs for next month's World Cup were all on the pitch: Gaya and the Barca trio of Balde, Alonso and Alba. 5) and at Osasuna (Nov. [was a major blow in the first half](/soccer/valencia-espvalencia/story/4784884/uruguays-edinson-cavani-limps-off-for-valencia-vs-barcelona). [Ronald Araujo](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/270821/Ronald-Araújo) and Andreas Christensen, who have both been sidelined for weeks. [Eric Garcia](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/128714/Eric-García) and [Jules Kounde](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/231692/Jules-Koundé) were both unable to finish the game as Barcelona were again forced to field a makeshift back four at the Mestalla. He has scored four goals in just six appearances for the club since joining in the summer. [Highlights and notable moments](#highlights) [Best/worst performers](#bestworst)

A dominant but unconvincing performance, in which both Eric Garcia and Jules ...

Seemed to always be in the right place at the right time before limping off with what looked like a hamstring injury. This Barcelona side don't use his tempo-setting passing and prefer to play on the front foot, making him an awkward fit. SUB: Gavi (56' for Busquets) - 6/10 - Provided some much-needed energy to the game but couldn't make a telling impact. Ansu Fati tried to chip Barcelona ahead 13 minutes in but the danger was well sniffed out by Giorgi Mamardashvili. SUB: Marcos Alonso (42' for Garcia) - 5/10 - Did his best to get sent off after being on the pitch for just a few seconds and never really inspired confidence. CB: Jules Kounde - 7/10 - Kounde was the one to step up when Barcelona found themselves under pressure.

Things looked bleak for Barcelona before Robert Lewandowski lunged to score a goal and rescue a win for the Catalan side against Valencia.

Barcelona’s next game is midweek in their final Champions League game of the season away to Viktoria Plzen. To make matters worse, Jules Kounde was forced off in the second half — replaced by Gerard Pique — after picking up an injury of his own. With three of the six minutes gone, Raphinha seemed to have sent in another hopeful cross.

Barcelona missed the opportunity to return to the top of La Liga following a goalless draw at Valencia.

It's his 13th goal of the season and looks sure to restore Barca's place at the top of La Liga! Correia whips in an early cross and it appears Andre fails to make a connection with the ball allowing Lino to slot it home at the far post. The Poland talisman stretches to meet Raphinha's cross and score in the 93rd minute. The 34-year-old was incredibly unfortunate not to give Barcelona the lead in the first half, which would have prevented all the late drama. Lewandowski will have sent the travelling supporters home happy with his late heroics, but on reflection, the victory has come at a cost. The 19-year-old was through on goal but couldn’t find a way past onrushing goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, and minutes later he found the back of the net but was clearly in an offside position, cutting short his celebrations.

During the post-match press conference, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez remarked that Valencia appeared more defensive than usual. Advertisement. Ad.

“I respect Xavi a lot, but I don’t agree with what he said. Gattuso had heaped praise on Xavi heading into this game, particularly hailing his footballing career. Barça was better, I accept it, but I can’t agree with anything else.

France and Barcelona defender Jules Koundé has been substituted after apparently hurting his leg during Saturday's Spanish league match at Valencia.

Sometimes those in charge don’t think about the players.” He walked off on his own power when replaced by Gerard Pique. “I believe that we are going a bit crazy with so many games.

Jules Kounde has said he did not think his injury was 'anything serious' after his early withdrawal from play on Saturday. The Frenchman left Barcelona's ...

And their commitment is maximal.' I think they should think more about the players.' It seems that it is not an injury, it is rather strong discomfort. There are too many games but we are not the ones in charge. Jules Koundé has made a tremendous effort, we have pushed him and it is normal. Xavi praised the commitment of his Barcelona players despite the World Cup on the horizon