Madrid: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said Valencia’s Mestalla stadium feels like home after he scored a hat trick in Barcelona’s 4-1 victory on Sunday.
He also put three past Valencia on his last visit to Mestalla in 2019, when Arsenal won 4-2 to reach the Europa League final.
“;The last time it was a hat-trick in the semi-final of the Europa League with Arsenal and today a brace so Mestalla is a bit like my home,̶1; said Aubameyang, whose third goal was only attributed to him after his post-match interview.
The Gabonese striker scored twice in the first half and was awarded a third after Pedri’s long-range strike flew in after skimming his back.
Barcelona’s victory lifts them back above Atletico Madrid into fourth in the table. It was a timely boost ahead of their Europa League play-off second leg against Napoli on Thursday. Barca drew the first leg 1-1 at Camp Nou last week.
“;I’m very happy today but above all we won the match so I’m very happy,̶1; he said.
“;I think we have played well in the last few matches and have just been lacking the result.
“;We played well today as well and we won which is very important for the group because we have a very important game on Thursday against Napoli.”
Aubameyang’s hat trick came on his first La Liga start for Barcelona after the 32-year-old had his contract terminated by Arsenal last month.
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