Barcelona were frustrated in the first half against Real Oviedo, but found their groove in the second half to return to LaLiga`s summit.

Lamine Yamal scored a stunning overhead kick to help Barcelona move back to the top of LaLiga with a comfortable 3-0 win over Real Oviedo at Camp Nou.

Dani Olmo and Raphinha had got the ball rolling in the second half, after Hansi Flick`s side had been frustrated by their visitors before the break.

It took until first-half stoppage time to get the first chances of note, with Joan Garcia smothering Ilyas Chaira`s tight-angled effort, before Raphinha saw a similar effort parried by Aaron Escandell at the other end.

But Barca came out brighter after the break and took just six minutes to break the deadlock; David Carmo was caught playing out from the back, and Olmo drilled his low shot into the bottom-left corner.

And another lapse gifted Barcelona their second. David Costas, high in his own half, played a very slack backpass which Raphinha pounced onto before chipping Escandell, who was well off his line.

But Yamal, who had seen an early shot parried by the goalkeeper, sealed the points as he acrobatically met Olmo`s cross, giving Escandell no chance.

Data Debrief: Barca show off home fortress

After a loss to Real Sociedad last weekend, Real Madrid had piled the pressure on the reigning champions after leapfrogging them to the summit.

And Barcelona were well-deserving of their win, having accumulated 2.41 expected goals (xG) from their 15 shots, while limiting Oviedo to just 0.42 xG.

It was the 10th consecutive win at home for Barca, with this the first time they have recorded 10 or more home wins under the same manager in LaLiga since December 2019 (W14 under Ernesto Valverde).

Oviedo, meanwhile, are winless in their last 14 league matches (D7 L7), with their last victory coming all the way back in September over Valencia.

Barcelona (2)-0 Real Oviedo - Raphinha 57`
byu/977x inBarca

Kouparsi: We Managed to Exhaust the Opponent, and We Weren`t Effective in the First Half

Barcelona player Pau Kouparsi expressed his happiness with his team`s victory over Real Oviedo with three goals to none in the 21st round of the Spanish League, confirming that the team played a good match despite the difficulty of the confrontation.

Kouparsi said: "We weren`t effective in the first half in scoring goals, although we performed well in defense, but in the second half we managed to exhaust the opponent and press them to score goals."

He continued: "The confrontation with the striker was strong, he is very strong, I had to anticipate his movements so he wouldn`t receive the ball comfortably."

He added: "In the end, everything was a bit confusing because of the rain."

Raphinha: We Weren`t at Our Best in the First Half, and I Always Strive to Improve

The Brazilian Raphinha, Barcelona`s winger, expressed his happiness with the big victory his team achieved over Real Oviedo with three clean goals in the 21st round of La Liga, confirming that the match was not easy despite the result.

Raphinha said: "We knew it would be a tough match, it`s a team that presses you and tries to play, I think we weren`t at our best in the first half, but in the second half we managed to score goals, and that`s the most important, which is what we were looking for."

He added: "We always try to press forward and win as many balls as possible, as happened in the second goal, it`s unfortunate for the center-back, but this is what I have to do, press in such moments."

He continued talking about his personal performance this season, confirming: "Those who watch the games can judge, but I think I`m doing the same thing I was doing last season."

He concluded: "I always strive to improve and present the best version of myself, and I will never say that I am at my best."

 

today`s other La Liga match:
Atletico Madrid 3-0 Mallorca: Sorloth strikes again as Simeone`s side keep pace at LaLiga summit