Barça humiliates Valencia with three braces at the Johan Cruyff Stadium

(AFP) Barcelona crushed Valencia 6-0 on Sunday at the Johan Cruyff Stadium with three players scoring twice in a LaLiga matchday four clash to move second in the table behind Real Madrid.

Without star player Lamine Yamal due to injury, the Catalan side comfortably overcame their opponents thanks to doubles from Fermin Lopez (29, 56), Raphinha (53, 66), and Robert Lewandowski (76, 86).

With this win, the first at home and at the Johan Cruyff due to the works being carried out at the Camp Nou, Barça has ten points, two behind leaders Real Madrid, who beat Real Sociedad (2-1) at Anoeta on Saturday.

Before halftime, the azulgrana club reported that 5,800 fans attended the small stadium to witness the clash.

In the absence of Lamine Yamal, the young youth prodigy, Hansi Flick opted for the Swede Roony Bardghji in his place. But he also brought out England's Marcus Rashford in the starting XI in place of Brazilian Raphinha, who, according to Spanish media, was punished for arriving late to training camp.

"I'm very happy; from the start, we showed how we want to play," Flick said after the match.

"Everyone who was on the field fought. It's always the team, and they are fantastic; in all positions we are good. The starting team did fantastic, and those who came on even more," the German coach added.

After the first ten minutes of the game, Ferran Torres had the first chance, but his shot went over the crossbar with too much bite.

Despite their dominance of the ball in the first half, the Azulgrana only managed to open the scoring through Fermín, who scored from Torres' pass.

After the restart, Valencia's defense crumbled and allowed the home side to secure a significant victory.

First, Raphinha, who came on for Bardghji in the second half, finished off a cross from Rashford.

Shortly after, Fermín shot from the edge of the area with his left foot to beat the Valencianista goalkeeper, who could only lightly touch the ball.

- Lewandowski's first goal -
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With the victory assured, Raphinha slammed home a ball that was left inside the area after a failed rebound by José Luis Gayá to put the fourth on the scoreboard.

Lewandowski also wanted to join the Blaugrana party. The Polish star, who replaced Rashford, scored his first goal of the season.

The striker received a ball from Dani Olmo inside the area and, after leaving the two central defenders behind, placed it with his right foot in the corner.

And it didn't stop there. Marc Bernal, who returned from a serious knee injury at the start of last season, assisted Lewandowski, who rounded Julen Agirrezabala with a lob that kissed the net.

"It was a match that was difficult at the start. But the whole team was at the level," Fermin told Movistar.

"The message is the same as last year. To go with intensity and humility," added the player, who stressed that he always wanted to stay at Barcelona, despite speculation of a possible departure in the last transfer window.

This resounding victory will undoubtedly encourage the azulgrana squad, which will face Newcastle on Thursday in the first matchday of the Champions League.

Earlier on Sunday, Celta drew 1-1 against Girona at Balaídos, as did Levante 2-2 against Betis, while Osasuna beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0 at El Sadar.