Barca stay on title track with Valladolid comeback

Barcelona moved a step closer to the La Liga title as they came from behind to beat already-relegated Real Valladolid 2-1 on Saturday to extend their lead on rivals Real Madrid.

- Agencies

BARCELONA:

The Catalan giants heavily rotated with Tuesday's Champions League semi-final clash at Inter Milan their priority and fell behind to Ivan Sanchez's early deflected goal.

However, second-half strikes by Raphinha and Fermin Lopez powered Barca seven points clear of second-place champions Madrid, who host Celta Vigo on Sunday ahead of the Clasico on May 11.

Barca coach Hansi Flick kept just two players who started the blockbuster 3-3 first leg draw with Inter on Wednesday in his side -- Pedri Gonzalez and Gerard Martin.

Flick brought in his German compatriot Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, after a long injury lay-off, for his first appearance since September.

"He showed how good he is, how he can perform and it's good to see that," said Flick, confirming Wojciech Szczesny would return against Inter and next weekend against Real Madrid. "I was really looking forward to playing this game and it's always better with a win for the team," Ter Stegen told DAZN.

It did not start in dream fashion for the goalkeeper -- within six minutes Ter Stegen was picking the ball out of his net.