Barcelona came from behind to draw 1-1 with Valencia in Sunday night's eventful La Liga clash at the Mestalla.
Valencia looked to be moving one point behind the league leaders after taking a second-half lead through Rodrigo Moreno, but Barcelona, who controversially failed to take the lead in the 30th minute, equalised late on through Jordi Alba.
The result means that both teams are still unbeaten in the league this term, with Barcelona remaining four points clear of second-placed Valencia after 13 matches of the 2017-18 campaign.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla, and it is a real cracker as second-placed Valencia welcome league leaders Barcelona. Just four points separate these two unbeaten teams, and Los Che will be looking to set down a marker with a strong result. Stay tuned for what should be a fascinating game of football from this wonderful stadium.
Barcelona won both league matches last season – recording a 4-2 victory at Camp Nou and a 3-2 success at the Mestalla. Valencia have not actually won a home league game against Barcelona since February 2007, although they did pick up a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou in April 2016. If Los Che have serious title ambitions this season then they simply cannot afford to lose tonight.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Mestalla. Valencia have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Barcelona were in Champions League action away to Juventus on Wednesday night – drawing 0-0. Let's have a look...
TEAMS!
VALENCIA: Neto; Montoya, Gabriel, Garay, Gaya; Soler, Parejo, Kondogbia, Guedes; Zaza, Rodrigo
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Umtiti, Vermaelen, Alba; Busquets, Paulinho, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez
Valencia's team shows four changes from the one that started last weekend's 2-0 win at Espanyol. Ezequiel Garay comes into the centre of defence alongside Gabriel Paulista, while Jose Gaya drops from a midfield role back into left-back. Carlos Soler and Goncalo Guedes are also introduced in the wide areas, while Simone Zaza replaces Santi Mina alongside Rodrigo in the final third.
Lionel Messi, fresh from signing a new long-term deal with Barcelona, returns to the away side's XI tonight after featuring off the bench against Juventus. Thomas Vermaelen, meanwhile, makes his first league start of the campaign due to a suspension for Gerard Pique. Paulinho is chosen ahead of Gerard Deulofeu as head coach Ernesto Valverde looks to pack his midfield at the Mestalla.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff at the Mestalla. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Barcelona. As mentioned, the Catalan giants will enter the match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night, which booked their spot in the knockout stage of the tournament.
A stunning start to the 2017-18 La Liga season has seen Barcelona win 11 and draw one of their 12 matches to top the table on 34 points. They have scored 33 times and conceded just four, and hold a seven-point lead over the reigning champions Real Madrid with a game in hand. Los Blancos and indeed third-placed Atletico Madrid will be hoping that Valencia can do them a favour tonight.
Barcelona's only dropped points came away at Atletico last month, and they will enter this match off the back of four straight league wins over Malaga, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Leganes. If Ernesto Valverde's side were to manage another victory here, it would sent out a serious message.
That said, the league leaders have a tough end to 2017 as they host Celta Vigo, travel to Villarreal, host Deportivo La Coruna and travel to Real Madrid in their four matches ahead of the winter break. If Barcelona lose tonight and Real Madrid beat them at the Bernabeu on December 23, the league table could well have a very different look entering 2018. If and buts at the moment though!
It would be fair to say that Barcelona have not been at their free-flowing best for periods of the season, but they have become a lot more solid under Valverde. The Catalan giants have won five of their six away league matches this season – conceding just twice – and as mentioned, will travel to Valencia boasting a strong recent record at the Mestalla. The atmosphere is seriously building ahead of kickoff!
Valencia, however, are a different animal under Marcelino this season. Los Che have won nine and drawn three of their 12 matches – scoring 32 times in the process. They are three points clear of third-placed Atletico with a game in hand, and a win tonight would move them to within one point of Barcelona after 13 matches of the campaign. There is so much at stake for both teams here.
Indeed, Valencia have won each of their last eight league matches. They drew three straight games against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Levante between August 27 and September 16, but have beaten Malaga, Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis, Sevilla, Alaves, Leganes and Espanyol in their last eight to storm into second position. What can this brilliant team achieve this season?!
Simone Zaza has scored nine league goals this season, while Rodrigo and Santi Mina have 13 between them. Carlos Soler has also been in brilliant form in a midfield area, and on-loan Paris Saint-Germain attacker Goncalo Guedes has contributed three goals and five assists in the league.
Valencia last lifted the Spanish league title in 2004, but a win tonight would send out a serious message. A difficult couple of years has seen them finish 12th in each of the last two seasons, but there is a feeling that this team is capable of breaking up Barcelona and Real Madrid this term. Tonight will be a good indication of just how far they have come under Marcelino. Kickoff at the Mestalla is next!
KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off at the Mestalla...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Barcelona have won every game since the middle of September, but Valencia are in serious form themselves. Game on here!
It has been a considered start from both teams. Barcelona, as expected, are in a diamond formation, with Messi playing off Suarez at the tip of the attack. Valencia, meanwhile, have Rodrigo and Zaza pushed high up the field, while Guedes and Soler are operating in the wide positions.
SAVE! Neto has to tip a Paulinho strike over the crossbar!
Barcelona are enjoying a lot of the ball at the moment as they take up a high position on the field. Valencia have not really had the chance to break on the league leaders in the early moments here.
Gaya wins a corner for Valencia after Ter Stegen carries the left-back's cross behind. The set piece is delivered by Parejo, but Suarez just about does enough to make the clearance.
So, 10 minutes on the clock at the Mestalla, and we are still goalless. Barcelona have shaded the early exchanges, but Valencia have shown their teeth in the last few minutes. You do get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result here.
Neto drops low to keep out a long-range strike from Rakitic.
Messi continues to come deep as the Argentine looks to get on the ball, but Valencia have been tight defensively in the opening 13 minutes. It is a very interesting game of football.
Just a few signs that Valencia are starting to find their feet here as they enjoy possession inside Barcelona's half of the field. Parejo is the player making things happen outside the box as he passes from side to side, but the visitors manage to scramble clear. Still goalless at the Mestalla.
Barcelona are having a lot of the ball here as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Iniesta seems to be involved in every exchange, while Paulinho has been lively early on here.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they continue to dominate the ball. However, the away side's latest attack ends when Suarez is caught offside. Suarez has absolutely loved that linesman's flag this season. He always plays on the edge of the final defender, which will bring a lot of offside calls.
Zaza has had a frustrating 22 minutes here as the number nine struggles to get into the match. The striker chases a through pass from Rodrigo, but Barcelona's goalkeeper is out to claim. Alba then finds himself inside the Valencia box down the other end, but he fouls Montoya.
Suarez does not look too comfortable here as he holds his back.
Barcelona have the chance to threaten from a free kick some 40 yards from goal, but Valencia manage to clear after the ball is played short. Suarez, meanwhile, seems okay for the moment.
Still no goals with 27 minutes on the clock, and in truth, we are still waiting for the first clear chance of the match. Barcelona's best opportunity came early on when Paulinho struck one from distance, only to see his effort tipped over the crossbar by Neto. Not too much from Valencia thus far.
CONTROVERSY! Oh my word! Barcelona think that they have taken the lead as Messi's strike squirms through Neto, but the linesman does not signal! Let's have another look...
... should have stood! There is no goal-line technology in Spain, and that has cost Barcelona. The ball clearly bounced over the line, but neither the referee nor the linesman were interested!
BOOKING! Kondogbia (Valencia) is booked for a foul on Messi.
Neto keeps out a free kick from Messi as Barcelona, spurred on by a sense of injustice, look to take the lead late in the first period. Valencia are very fortunate to still be level in this match.
Just a touch over the line!
Barcelona are absolutely dominating this football game at the moment as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. Valencia just cannot seem to get in the match here.
Super football from Messi and Iniesta as the pair combine before the latter looks to pick out the bottom corner, but Neto makes the save. Valencia are really fortunate to be level in this match.
SAVE! Super save from Neto, who keep out a close-range Suarez strike.
Valencia have the chance to break clear for the first time in a while, but Zaza fails to make proper contact on a cross from Guedes, and Barcelona eventually clear their lines. Still goalless here.
BOOKING! Gabriel (Valencia) is booked for a tangle with Messi.
HALF-TIME: Valencia 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Barcelona should be ahead, however, with the visitors denied a clear goal in the 30th minute. Neto allowed Messi's strike to squirm through his grip, but neither the linesman nor the referee signalled that the ball had passed the line. Barcelona will have a real sense of injustice at the half-time break.
STATISTICS! Barcelona absolutely dominated the first-half possession with 77%, while they had seven attempts - six of which were on target. Valencia, meanwhile, failed to hit the target with any of their three attempts. Kondogbia and Gabriel have both had their names taken for Valencia.
BENCH WATCH! Deulofeu, Alcacer, Denis Suarez and Aleix Vidal are all on the Barcelona bench tonight, but the visitors have not exactly been short of ideas in the final third of the field. As for Valencia, head coach Marcelino has options in the shape of Santi Mina, Andreas Pereira and Toni Lato.
A reminder of the major talking point in the first period. No goal according to the officials!
RESTART! Valencia resume the action on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of action in the early stages of the second half, but Valencia are enjoying more of the ball in Barcelona's half of the field. Garay is off the field having his socks replaced!
Garay, with new socks, is back on the field. It is getting a little bit tasty here as Zaza clashes with Vermaelen, which brings a reaction from the Valencia supporters. Los Che need something to change in the second period because Barcelona were so dominant in the first 45 minutes of action.
CHANCE! Guedes finds Zaza on the edge of the Barcelona box, and the striker's low attempt is just wide of the far post. That is much better from the home side.
CHANCE! Vermaelen heads a Rakitic corner just over the Valencia crossbar!
The Valencia supporters are back in this match as they continue to raise their team. Barcelona kept the fans quiet for much of the first period, but the noise is brilliant early in the second period.
Messi has a strike blocked over the crossbar by Montoya as Barcelona move through the gears int he final third of the field. It is much more of an open game in the second period.
End-to-end football in the last few minutes as both teams enjoy possession in the final third of the field. Valencia have a half-chance as Guedes dances past Semedo inside the Barcelona box, but Ter Stegen is out to make a smart save. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining here.
GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Barcelona (Rodrigo)
Oh my word! Valencia make the breakthrough on the hour as Rodrigo turns a low Gaya cross into the bottom corner from close range! The Mestalla has gone absolutely mental here!
This is now a serious test for Barcelona, who might still be feeling a sense of injustice. Well, they will. There is no might about it. Still more than 25 minutes of football to play here though.
Penalty shout for Valencia as Guedes goes down under pressure from Umtiti, but the referee is not interested. It was a heavy challenge from Umtiti, but he did just about win the ball before the man.
Good grief Suarez is offside once again. For about the 700th time in this match alone.
Deulofeu is preparing to enter the field for Barcelona, which is not too much of a surprise. Paulinho and Rakitic are under threat when it comes to who will be replaced. I suspect it could be the latter.
BARCELONA SUB! Deulofeu replaces Rakitic for the away side.
Guedes continues to impress for the home side as the winger again cuts inside before shooting, but his effort was always wide of the post. Barcelona just look short of ideas at the moment.
BARCELONA SUB! Denis Suarez replaces Iniesta for the visitors.
Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Valencia are enjoying themselves at the moment as Barcelona struggle to dominate the ball. What a final 15 minutes or so we could have here!
BOOKING! Rodrigo (Valencia) is booked for a foul on Paulinho.
SAVE! Neto gets down well to keep out a strike from Luis Suarez!
Still no movement on the Valencia bench, but we are approaching the stage of the match where Marcelino will be considering changes. There are some tired legs in white and black out there.
BARCELONA SUB! Vidal replaces Semedo for the away side.
Guedes is released in a forward position, but the attacker is too quick for his own good, and Barcelona manage to clear their lines. Still a good 10 minutes of football to play in this match.
VALENCIA SUB! Pereira replaces Rodrigo for the home side.
GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Barcelona (Alba)
Barcelona level the scores in the 82nd minute as Alba finds the far corner with a sensational finish after Messi had lifted a pass into the left-back. What a finish from the defender!
Still more than five minutes of football to play here, and there could be a late sting in the tail.
VALENCIA SUB! Valencia's second change sees Garay replaced by Vezo.
VALENCIA SUB! Soler is replaced by Mina for the home side.
We are into the first of four additional minutes, and Barcelona are on the front foot here.
Deulofeu is caught offside as Valencia gain some respite with just about two minutes left.
Smart defending from Umtiti sees the Frenchman clear ahead of Zaza as Valencia threaten once again. Pereira then hits the side netting for the home side after breaking into a central position.
CLOSE! Zaza fires a Pereira cross over the crossbar at the far post!
FULL-TIME: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Valencia took the lead in the 60th minute through Rodrigo, but Barcelona levelled late on through Alba. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again! Until next time!
