Barcelona, Mar 30 (EFE).- Barcelona defeated UD Las Palmas on Saturday in the EA Sports LaLiga match at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, thanks to a goal from Raphinha from a Joao Felix cross that rewarded the dominance of the Catalan team in the game.
Barça came out to win the game from the opening whistle. The team created several chances and tested goalkeeper Alvaro Valles on at least half a dozen clear occasions in the first half.
The referee sent off Valles midway through the first act for cutting off a counterattack with a violent tackle on Raphinha.
Las Palmas coach Garcia Pimienta sacrificed Munir to put Aaron between the sticks and his team took a forced step back. But the rain, which appeared as soon as the match began, never prevented the Blaugranas from looking for goal.
Playing with an extra man from the 24th minute, Barcelona monopolized the ball from the first half, in which Robert Lewandowski hit a shot against the crossbar and referee Busquets Ferrer disallowed two of the striker’s goals for offside.
Las Palmas, accustomed to having the ball, suffered from inferiority without it, and the game began to feel too long for the islanders.
Barcelona’s insistence came into effect in the 59th minute, when Raphinha headed home a cross from Joao Felix, who was able to extend the result with a shot that struck the crossbar, although Moleiro could have equalized for Las Palmas in an individual action.
Las Palmas marked 22 years without scoring in Barca’s ground. And Barca confirmed that they are in the best moment of the season, having gone nine league games without losing, in which they have added 23 of the last 27 points they have contested. EFE
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