FC Barcelona v Valencia FC: High-flyers share spoils (1-1)

FC Barcelona have drawn 1-1 against Valencia in the 13th league fixture of the season. The blaugranas, who were playing the fourth placed team in the table, took an early lead through Andressa Alves in the third minute, but Mari Paz levelled fifteen minutes from the end.

Quick-fire start

FC Barcelona started the game in the best way possible. A great Marta Torrejón cross from the right wing was confidently headed in by the Brazilian Andressa Alves in the third minute of the game. Xavi Llorens' team didn't relax after their excellent start and maintained their intensity.

The match continued with the blaugranas well-positioned. Alexia, diverted a Marta Unzue effort and almost scored the team's second. However, Valencia didn't let the game get away from them and had chances of their own. Neither team seized control and they both enjoyed moments of danger without having any clear-cut chances.

In the second half, the visitors had a clear opportunity on goal through a good Gaitán cross, which Nicart went close to putting in the back of the net but couldn't find the finish. Sandra Paños was also called into action from a Banini effort.

Valencia find the leveller

Barça started to regain control following the away team's chances and in the 68th minute Vicky Losada had the clearest chance from a firmly-struck effort which Sullastres sent behind for a corner. As is often the case, when Barça were looking at their best Valencia pegged them back with the equaliser. In the 75th minute, Mari Paz scored from a lovely Zornosa assist and the two teams were back on level terms.

With fifteen minutes to go the Catalans pushed hard for a winner and Vicky Losada again did everything she could to beat the keeper, but Sullastres pulled off another remarkable stop. Xavi Llorens' team were unable to convert their chances and they could even have lost the game in the final minute through a Zornosa shot which was diverted past the post.

In the end, a point each for two of the best teams in the league was a fair result. Today's game came prior to the trip to the Vicente Calderón next week for the match against another high-flyer, Atlético Madrid. Finally, following the Christmas break, the Catalans will play Levante, who are third in the table, to complete a testing trio of fixtures for Barça.