Draw between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona

Valencia CF were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Barcelona on Matchday 17 match of the LaLiga EA Sports season, coming back from behind at Mestalla to claim a point with a goal from Hugo Guillamón.

The game began with intensity and the first move saw Valencia CF surprise FC Barcelona with a quick throw-in, sending Diego López down the left. He got to the line and crossed for Roman Yaremchuk, who turned and had his shot tipped out by Iñaki Peña.

A good first half featured a 4-4-2 formation and defensive solidity, despite Barça lifting balls over the top of the back line. Going forward, they put FC Barcelona in difficulties on several occasions, with a very dangerous cross from Fran Pérez going across the face of goal just past the half hour.

FC Barcelona began the second half with a little more prominence in terms of their attacking, and in the 55th minute they made it 0-1 with a tap-in from Joao Felix off a Raphinha assist.

Valencia CF responded in the 69th minute, when Hugo Guillamón -making his first league start of the campaign, scored a great goal. He picked up the ball on the edge of the area after the opposition failed to clear a high cross, then connected with a shot into the top corner.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, who made several notable saves, denied one-time Valencia CF player Ferran Torres from point blank range when he was put through.

Valencia CF would continue trying for a winner, and after a Pepelu free kick they would bring on Alberto Marí to freshen up the forward line. Rubén Baraja also tried to reinforce the defence, changing the formation in a final stretch in which the team ended up playing with three centre backs.

Mamardashvili, Yarek and Diakhaby all participated in a scramble away late on, as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.