Barça overpowered by rampant Valencia for first defeat under Setien

Monday, 27 January 2020 00:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

2020 Barcelona's Gerard Pique concedes a penalty against Valencia's Jose Luis Gaya Reuters

VALENCIA (Reuters): La Liga champions Barcelona fell to their first defeat in three games under new coach Quique Setien as they were beaten 2-0 away at Valencia on Saturday.

Valencia missed a chance to take an early lead when Maxi Gomez had a penalty saved by Barça’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen but the Uruguayan did help the hosts go in front early in the second half as his shot deflected into the net off Jordi Alba.

Gomez finally got the goal his performance deserved in the 77th minute to seal Valencia’s first home win over Barça in the league since February 2007, firing into the bottom corner as the Catalans were caught out on the counter-attack.

Valencia thought they had scored a third goal when Gabriel Paulista netted from a corner but the goal was ruled out for a foul following a VAR review. Barça are still top of the standings on 43 points after 21 games. Second-placed Real Madrid, who are also on 43.