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FC Barcelona played host to Valencia at the Camp Nou in La Liga, as they looked to continue their unbeaten run in the league.
Ernesto Valverde has made two changes to the side that lost to AS Roma. Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho returned to the Barcelona starting XI.
Marcelino, meanwhile, has made just one change to the team that beat Espanyol 1-0, with Ruben Vezo coming in at the right-back. Valencia is unbeaten in their last 9 La Liga games, winning 8 of them.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and Samuel Umtiti made it 2-0 in the 51st. A late goal from Daniel Parejo could not save Valencia as they went down fighting at the Camp Nou.
Without much ado, let's have a look at the 3 things that went right for the host.
#3 Early goal set the platform for Barcelona
Valencia started the game well and threatened Barcelona goal twice in the first five minutes. Barcelona created their first chance in the eighth minute but, Luis Suarez mistimed his effort, 12 yards out. A few minutes later, Jordi Alba forced goalkeeper Neto into making a brilliant save.
Suarez opened the scoring in the 15th minute for the Catalan giants. Philippe Coutinho made an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Suarez six yards out, and the Uruguayan struck it past Neto into the bottom right corner of the net.
It was a well-orchestrated goal by Ernesto Valverde's side and the early goal settled their nerves.
#2 Philippe Coutinho's inclusion
Philippe Coutinho has been criticized for his performances in recent weeks, but the Brazilian was superb on the night against Valencia. He was at the heart of Barcelona's attacking play throughout the game and created opportunities for his teammates.
First, he assisted Luis Suarez for the opening goal, with a well-timed through ball in the 15th minute. He literally served it on the plate for the Uruguayan to slot it past Valencia goalkeeper Neto.
Then early in the second half, he assisted Samuel Umtiti for Barcelona's second goal as Coutinho's corner was headed into the back of the net by the Frenchman.
All in all, Philippe Coutinho had a perfect night at the Camp Nou with 2 assists. A Man of the Match performance from the Brazilian.
#1 Luck
Barcelona survived against Valencia at the Camp Nou, but not without some good luck. Barcelona was messy at the back and Pique, in particular, had a night to forget.
Valencia created some excellent chances to score but, lacked conviction in their finishing. Valencia had 16 shots on goal, compared to Barcelona's 12.
Guedes, in particular, had a bag full of chances, but the Portuguese international was wasteful in front of goal.
Guedes twice forced Ter Stegen into a save within the first 20 minutes, and his 22nd-minute effort deflected off Alba. Rodrigo too missed a couple of good opportunities in the first half while Mina sent a header wide in the 39th minute.
The Catalan giants were really lucky not to concede the equalizer in the 51st minute, as Rodrigo's effort was cleared off the line by Gerard Pique. Zaza missed an opportunity late in the game to make it 2-2, as the game finished 2-1 at the Camp Nou.
