VALLADOLID, SPAIN – MAY 03: Raphinha of FC Barcelona (L) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Fermin Lopez during the LaLiga match between Real Valladolid CF and FC Barcelona at Jose Zorrilla on May 03, 2025 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Just days ahead of the crunch Champions League semi-final against Inter, Barcelona brought back Marc-Andre ter Stegen and turned it around to beat Real Valladolid 2-1.
It all goes down to Tuesday’s clash at San Siro, as the first leg was a 3-3 thriller.
While the Nerazzurri changed 10 of the starting XI from that match when they hosted Verona in Serie A this evening, Barcelona could not afford that luxury with LaLiga still wide open.
There were still quite a few adjustments, including the return of goalkeeper Ter Stegen for his first appearance since knee surgery on September 22, 2024.
It remains to be seen if he will be in goal or Wojciech Szczesny for the decider with Inter on Tuesday.
Among those benched were Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Pau Cubarsi, Frenkie de Jong and Lamine Yamal.
Why Barcelona needed their stars to win
Barcelona conceded just six minutes into the game with rock bottom Real Valladolid tonight.
Reassuringly for Inter, it was an Ivan Sanchez goal from a corner kick, confirming they have serious problems defending on set plays.
Lamine Yamal didn’t get much rest, as he came on at the 35th minute when debutant Dani Rodriguez seemed to dislocate his shoulder.
Raphinha and De Jong came on for the restart and it proved effective, because Raphinha equalised with an angled drive.
The game was turned on its head six minutes later, as Fermin Lopez smashed in a left-foot finish.
Gavi went off at the 77th minute looking fatigued, after Ter Stegen proved he’s still got it with a fine save on Juanmi Latasa.
Real Valladolid 1-2 Barcelona
Ivan Sanchez 6 (RV), Raphinha 54 (B), Fermin Lopez 60 (B)
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Fort, Araujo, Christensen, Martin; Pedri (De Jong 46), Gavi (Eric Garcia 79); D Rodriguez (Lamine Yamal 38), Fermin Lopez, Ansu Fati (Raphinha 46); Pau Victor (Dani Olmo 62)
