Ex-Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip saved a penalty from Lionel Messi but an earlier successful conversion sunk Valladolid at Camp Nou.
2018/2019 La Liga
1-0
Match Report
Gerard Pique won the 43rd-minute spot kick that proved the difference between the sides but, following back-to-back draws against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao in the top flight, Ernesto Valverde's men were again short of their fluent best.
Those previous results and Atletico Madrid's win over third-bottom Rayo Vallecano earlier on Saturday meant Barca went into the game with their now-restored lead at the top trimmed to four points.
Player Ratings
Match Events
43'Penalty Goal! Barcelona 1-0 Valladolid (Messi)
No mistake from Messi, who finds the bottom-right corner with pinpoint precision. Masip went the right way, but couldn’t get there.
52' CHANCE! Messi's shot wide out
Dembele breaks through Valladolid’s lines, and this time makes the right decision in teeing up Messi. Unusually, though, Messi takes a heavy first touch, and is unable to curl his resulting effort home.
85'Penalty Missed! (Messi)
Masip’s extraordinary performance just got even better! Messi went the same way with his penalty as he did from 12 yards in the first half, but Valladolid’s goalkeeper got down to it. Messi got to the rebound, sending a looping header goalwards, but Masip was right back on his feet to grasp the ball in his right hand and give the visitors hope!
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: L. Messi, Prince, T. Vermaelen, Piqué, Vidal, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, M. ter Stegen, S.Roberto, Carles Aleñá, O. Dembélé
Subs: L. Suárez, I. Rakitić, Philippe Coutinho, Lenglet, Semedo, Malcom, Iñaki Peña
Valladolid XI: Kiko Olivas, Míchel, Antoñito, Nacho Martínez, Jordi Masip, Sergi Guardiola, Joaquín Fernández, E.Ünal, Anuar Tuhami, Verde, Fernando Calero
Subs: Borja Fernández, Duje Cop, Javi Moyano, Yoel Rodríguez, Keko, Toni Suárez, S. Plaza