La Liga: Valladolid 0 - 1 Barcelona - Arturo Vidal scores to help Catalans keep title hope existent

Arturo Vidal celebrates putting Barcelona ahead with teammates. Photo: Sergio Pérez/Reuters

Arturo Vidal scored the only goal of the game and Lionel Messi racked up his 20th assist in LaLiga this season to give tired Barcelona a 1-0 win away at Valladolid and keep the Catalans’ slim title hopes intact.


Coach Quique Setien surprisingly left Luis Suarez on the bench as Antoine Griezmann started in attack alongside Messi at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla.

Sergi Roberto was deployed as a third centre-back and helped Barca to bring the ball out from the back as Setien’s side dominated in the early stages.

And after Riqui Puig had seen a shot saved by Jordi Masip, Vidal gave Barca the lead after 15 minutes.

Leo #Messi’s 15th minute assist to @kingarturo23 was his 20th of the season, tying him with Xavi for the all-time single season record in @LaLigaEN pic.twitter.com/Gnlf5BJA40

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 11, 2020

Messi won the ball back just outside the area and clipped a low pass through to the Chilean, who turned and hit a shot in off the post from just inside the right of the area.

It was Messi’s 20th assist in LaLiga this term and Barca looked good for their lead at that stage. Setien’s side could have added to the goal as Puig looked to set up Griezmann, but Masip was quick to get down and make a vital intervention.