By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 17:08 EDT, 3 May 2025 | Updated: 17:08 EDT, 3 May 2025
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Raphinha and Fermín López saved Barcelona from a stumble at relegated Valladolid on Saturday, helping it close on the La Liga title before a crunch Champions League match at Inter Milan.
Halftime substitute Raphinha canceled out Valladolid´s first-half opener in the 54th minute. López continued his quietly superb season by bagging the winner six minutes later for a 2-1 road victory.
Hansi Flick played with fire by rotating his starting XI ahead of Tuesday´s trip to Milan, where Barcelona and Inter will see which can tip the balance in their semifinal after delivering a 3-3 thriller this week in Spain.
Valladolid made a surprising start when Iván Sánchez´s shot deflected off Ronald Araújo, hit the turf and looped over goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was making his first start since recovering from a right knee injury in September.
Barcelona was stalled until Lamine Yamal replaced injured debutant Daniel Rodríguez, whose first game ended after just over half an hour when he hurt his right arm.
Raphinha replaced an ineffective Ansu Fati at halftime. The Brazil forward, who has come through in the clutch for Barcelona this season, drilled in a loose ball after goalie André Ferreira punched a cross by Yamal to the edge of the area. Fermín followed up moments later with a precise, low strike into the corner.
Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, centre, and Valladolid's Juanmi Latasa challenge for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Yamal had a goal-bound shot saved on the line by Valladolid's Antonio Candela in the 80th. The 17-year-old also delivered the dribble of the match, when he spun with the ball to twirl past two defenders.
Barcelona opened a seven-point gap over Real Madrid, which it beat last weekend in the Copa del Rey final to launch its bid for a treble.
Madrid hosts Celta Vigo on Sunday. After this round there will be four games left, including a clasico in Barcelona next weekend.
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Barcelona's Raphinha runs during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Barcelona's Pau Victor shoots the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal sits on a bench before the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick waits for the start of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal warms up before the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Barcelona's Pau Victor, right, shoots the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Valladolid's Ivan Sanchez, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A poster with a portrait of Real Valladolid owner Ronaldo lays on a floor at the Jose Zorrilla stadium during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Valladolid's fans hold banners read "Ronaldo go home" during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Barcelona's Fermin Lopez, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)