It’s almost becoming a reoccurrence for Barcelona to win by a slim margin on a weekend while Real Madrid struggles to get even a point on the same weekend in La Liga after Barcelona got a 1-0 win over Valencia, only for Real Madrid play a goalless draw against Real Betis later on Sunday to put the points difference between both teams to eight points.

10-man Barcelona beat relegation-threatened Valencia by a single goal to nil thanks to a 15th-minute goal from Raphinha. Barcelona could have doubled the advantage ten minutes into the second half from the penalty spot, but Ferran Torres missed the penalty.

Three minutes later, the Blaugrana were reduced to ten men after a red card to Ronald Araujo. However, Barcelona managed to hold on to their second victory in three games in all competitions within a week.

Barcelona manager Xavi explained that his team needs to improve after the win that temporarily put them on ten points advantage in the race for the title before Real Madrid’s goalless draw at Real Betis.

“We had many chances to score a second goal, the penalty, Ansu’s chance. There are some details that we have to improve. The penalty takers are already agreed upon before the match, and it was Ferran. Us in the technical staff determine who shoots, and the players know that.” Xavi said.

Barcelona lost to Almeria by a lone goal in La Liga last week before bouncing back to a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey semi-final.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti will be more than worried about his team’s failure to score for the second consecutive game and also winless in three straight matches.

Last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid was followed by a loss to Barcelona on Thursday, where they failed to get a single shot on target.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu