The lowdown on Real Valladolid

On Tuesday Barça are back in action in Liga with a trip to the José Zorrilla stadium to take on Valladolid, kick off 10.00pm CET. Here is our lowdown on los pucelanos. 

Where are they from?

About 190 km northwest of Madrid and with a population of just over 300,000, Valladolid is the thirteenth biggest city in Spain. Capital of the former Kingdom of Castile, it was also capital of Spain before it was moved to Madrid in 1606.

Club history 

Formed in 1928, the club with the distinctive violet and white striped shirts are ranked thirteenth in the all-time Liga table Since 1980, they have more or less been first division regulars. They have been relegated four times but have always managed to win their way back up again.

The club’s only major honour was the now defunct League Cup, which they won in 1984.

Did you know?

• Valladolid reached the quarter finals of the old European Cup Winners' Cup back in 1990, losing 3-1 in a penalty shoot out against AS Monaco. 
• The José Zorrilla stadium is named after the 19th century poet and playwright who hailed from the city of Valladolid. 
• Former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Newcastle United coach Rafa Benítez began his top flight coaching career at Valladolid. 
• Valladolid have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their 14 games so far this season. 
• The president of Real Valladolid is none other than former Barça striker and Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário. 

Form guide 

Valladolid got off to a terrible start in the 2020/21 season, picking up just three points from their first eight matches in La Liga. However, a first win of the season in early November at home to Athletic Club has proved to be a turning point and their only defeat in the last six league games was against Atlético Madrid. Even though they have picked up 11 points from the last 18 available, los pucelanos are still in the relegation zone ahead of the visit of Barça with 14 points putting them in 18th place in La Liga. 

LAST FIVE GAMES IN LA LIGA: 

22 November: Granada 1-3 Valladolid 
27 November: Valladolid 1-1 Levante
5 December: Atlético 2-0 Valladolid 
11 December: Valladolid 3-2 Osasuna
19 December: Sevilla 1-1 Valladolid

Head to head

Barça were on a 22-match unbeaten streak against Valladolid, including six games scoring four or more goals at Camp Nou, until a 1-0 defeat at the José Zorrilla put a serious dent in their 2013/14 title challenge, with Atlético Madrid going on to take the trophy.

Despite that win, Valladolid were relegated. They returned to the to flight in 2018 but that win in 2014 remains their only victory with 12 defeats in their last 13 La Liga games against FC Barcelona. 

The players 

International caps

Jawad El Yamiq (Morocco, 17); Fabián Orellana (Chile, 42), Shon Weissman (Israel, 11).

Barça Connections 

Jordi Masip was Barça third-choice goalie for several years but who only made one competitive appearance. But he’s the regular starter for Valladolid, who he joined in 2017 and for whom has been a huge success.

Striker Sergi Guardiola (no relation to Pep) spent a short spell with Barça B in 2015.

Top scorers 2020/21 

Maranhão (3), Orellana (2), Weismann (2) 

The boss

Born in L’Hospitalet on the outskirts of Barcelona, as a player Sergio González was best known for his days at Espanyol and Deportivo and also won 11 caps for Spain. He was appointed coach of Espanyol in 2014 but failed to last beyond Christmas and before joining Valladolid three summers ago, his only other senior role had been as manager of the Catalan national team. Gónzalez guided Valladolid to promotion in 2018 and since then has helped them to a 16th place and 13th place finish in La Liga.