Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first goals for Barcelona as they beat Valencia 4-1 at the Mestalla in La Liga on Sunday.
Barcelona started the game knowing that a win would take them into fourth place and the Champions League places, as they looked to continue their mid-season turnaround under Xavi Hernandez.
Aubameyang is at the heart of that following his January free transfer from Arsenal, and despite the risks of bringing him in, he repaid the faith placed in him with two first-half goals.
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In between his brace was another for Frenkie De Jong, who has often seen his future as uncertain at Camp Nou, but this was a more rounded display from a team who look to be rapidly improving.In the second half.
Carlos Soler put away on-loan Bryan Gil’s cross with a brilliant header to cut the deficit on 52 minutes however Barcelona hit back with an excellent, rasping shot from substitute Pedri, who beat the ‘keeper through sheer power, though he may have been helped by a potential deflection off Aubameyang.
The three-goal lead restored, Barcelona held on as they prepare for their Europa visit to Napoli before the game with Athletic Bilbao next weekend.