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Rodri astounded by Valencia's level after Barcelona's 5-0 rout at Mestalla

In his first La Liga start for Barcelona, Rodri was caught by cameras expressing his astonishment at Valencia's level, as the bottom-placed side was crushed 5-0 on Sunday at Mestalla.

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Rodri astounded by Valencia's level after Barcelona's 5-0 rout at Mestalla
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Barcelona thrashed Valencia 5-0 at Mestalla on Sunday, and it was Rodri’s reaction at the end of the match that caught attention: the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, leaving the pitch around the hour mark, confided to teammate Pau Cubarsí his complete astonishment at the opponent’s level.

“Really weak. They’re really weak, man. Really weak. Really bad,” said the former Manchester City player, in a sequence captured by cameras from the El Día Después programme. “They’re rubbish, rubbish. How did Valencia manage to stay up last season? They didn’t even cross the halfway line in the second half,” he continued.

A harsh judgment, but one that the match statistics largely support. Barcelona dominated with 25 shots to 3 and 73.5% possession. In the second half, the figures are even more telling: 15 shots to zero for the Catalans, with Valencia having no offensive presence whatsoever.

For Rodri, it was a first La Liga start since his return to Spain, seven years after his departure to Manchester City. He rediscovered a championship he knows well, but also a contrasting reality: on one hand, Barcelona leading the table; on the other, a Valencia side, former Champions League finalists, now occupying last place.

Lamine Yamal scored twice during this display, while Fermín López contributed a goal and two assists to complete Barcelona’s festival.

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