Martino under pressure as Barca lose ground in title race

Andy West 08:59 09/03/2014
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  • Obstacle course: Lionel Messi finds his path blocked by Valladolid’s Stefan Mitrovic.

    Barcelona’s faltering season took another turn for the worse with a defeat at Real Valladolid, who climbed out of the relegation zone after earning victory through Fausto Rossi’s first-half strike.

    It was a desperately disappointing performance from the reigning champions, who created few clear chances and regularly looked suspect at the back.

    Manager Tata Martino will now face serious criticism in the build-up to Wednesday’s Champions League second-leg tie with Manchester City.

    Barcelona’s play lacked structure and once they found themselves with possession in the final third the team lacked conviction.

    They were off colour from the very beginning, with Valladolid creating the first opening when Manucho hooked a through-ball into the stride of Javi Guerra, whose mis-hit strike lacked the power to trouble Victor Valdes.

    Inevitably, the visitors’ first threat came through Lionel Messi, with the striker bursting forward to the edge of the box before firing a shot too close to Valladolid keeper Diego Marino, who tipped over.

    Then came what proved to be the match-winner, which Barca contributed to with some poor defending. Rossi’s initial shot was deflected by Javier Mascherano, who then stood still as the rebound fell to Javi Guerra and when the striker’s effort took another deflection off Adriano, it fell straight to the unmarked Rossi who easily swept home first time.

    The Catalan club continued to lack fluency, with their poor start summed up when Neymar cut in from the left wing and fired a speculative strike horribly over the bar.

    Martino’s men finally started to look dangerous towards the end of the opening period, with Messi and Cesc Fabregas firing too close to Marino in quick succession.

    Barca should have levelled early in the second half when Messi ran through on goal but his effort was well kept out by Marino.

    And another chance went begging when Fabregas and Messi worked the ball across the area to Neymar, but he mis-hit his shot.

    With the visitors still struggling to attack with any fluidity, the hosts’ less frequent attacks carried more threat and Jesus Rueda went close with a free-kick that curled wide of the right-hand post.

    Martino made a trio of attack-minded changes in an attempt to change the pattern of the game, but it made little difference as his team continued to labour.

    A free-kick for handball gave Messi a rare opportunity from 22 yards, but his shot was straight at Marino for an easy save.

    Barca were then lucky to avoid going two behind when substitute Valdet Rama broke down the left and crossed to Guerra, who stabbed a half-volley inches over the bar.

    The final stages were played out with Barca enjoying plenty of possession around the edge of the area but never looking likely to score.

    Man of the match
    Fausto Rossi

    The Italian midfielder, who is spending this season at Valladolid on loan from Juventus, capped a fine all-round performance with the matchwinning goal. Energetic and purposeful, he was a menace to Barca’s defence throughout the game.

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