Years defending the Barcelona goalmouth Victor Valdes could smell what was coming. While his companions entered the field slightly sleepy, he went out with his five senses in a state of alert, and how it was justified, proclaim Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo. The first minute of the game already saw him coming face to face with Pablo Hernandez. There was no time to ask questions or to place blame. He decided not to rush out, waited just long enough to close all the angles. And he avoided the 1-0 when some spectators were still looking for their seats.

He was the key that keeps Barcelona in the match in the first half. Barcelona lost too many balls under pressure from Valencia, who launched dangerous counterattacks that died at the hands of Valdes, always attentive to everything that was happening in and near his area.

Barcelona did improved in the second half but Valencia did not slacken their pressure, forcing Valdes to make merited interventions. When Pablo attempted a surprise lob from midfield in the 68th minute, Valdes responded well and arrived in time to use his fingertips to deflect the ball over the crossbar. And a couple of minutes later, perfectly placed himself to block a point-blank shot from Silva.

In the closing minutes, coming for another lose ball, he collided with Miku and fell badly on the grass, hurting for his back. It was an epic ending to his spectacular contribution that night.

Valdes has now completed his fourth consecutive game without conceding a goal, three in the league (Malaga, Almeria and Valencia) and two in the Champions League (Dynamo Kiev and Inter Milan). A total of 378 minutes in an impressive season on a personal level. In the twelve official matches played so far including both Super Cups, Champions League and la Liga he has only conceded a total of four goals. He is the leading contender for the ‘Zamora’ again this year, and leads the tally with only three goals conceded.