Robert Lewandowski sealed a victory with his early goal in the second half after scoring a late goal in the first half to secure victory for Barcelona under new coach Hansi Flick’s first Spanish league match.
Lewandowski’s late scoring gave Barcelona a 2-1 victory against Valencia at the latter’s home in its first match of the league on Saturday.
The match stands as Flick’s first outing after taking over from former Barcelona star and coach Xavi Hernández, who left at the end of last season.
Valencia was the first team to have a goal through a header by Hugo Duro in the 44th, but Barcelona made it a tie after a goal by Lewandowski in first-half stoppage time and four minutes into the second half.
The first goal of the match by Hugo Duro was first canceled for offside, but after a video review was made, the goal was allowed to stand, putting Valencia in the lead.
Lewandowski scored his first goal at stoppage time in the first half after an assist from teenager Lamine Yamal.
Lewandowski’s goal put Barcelona ahead by converting a 49th-minute penalty kick after forward Raphinha was fouled inside the area.
The new Barcelona coach used a lot of players from Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, including Gerard Martín and teenager Marc Bernal. Both made their first-team debuts. The two players made their debuts at Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy.
Alejandro Balde, who defends for Barcelona, was substituted in the second half due to an apparent muscle injury he encountered.
Barcelona came in second in the Spanish League last season, 10 points behind Real Madrid, which won the league.
Madrid will play its first match of the season on Sunday at Mallorca.