The formidable Barcelona, hitherto accustomed to profitable, discover themselves beset with an unanticipated predicament – an issue in reaching victory.
However, the cushion of their double-digit lead within the title race continues to function a invaluable buffer.
Barcelona’s winless run reached three video games after a 0-0 draw at Getafe within the Spanish league Sunday, permitting second-place Real Madrid to chop into their lead once more.
The Catalans nonetheless have an 11-point benefit over Madrid with 9 rounds to go.
Madrid, that are principally centered on the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, received 2-0 at Cadiz on Saturday.
“We have to start playing better again, we have to be more effective,” Barcelona coach Xavi said. “We earned some extent that’s not that dangerous, however we now have to enhance our sport. This will not be over but.”
Xavi complained concerning the area situations at Getafe’s stadium and mentioned Barcelona should not used to enjoying within the early video games when it is too sunny.
It was additionally Barcelona’s third straight sport with out discovering the online. Striker Robert Lewandowski has scored solely two objectives in his final 9 matches.
Seeking their first league title since 2019, Barcelona had been held to a scoreless draw by Girona at dwelling within the earlier spherical. Before that, they endured a demoralizing 4-0 loss to Madrid at Camp Nou within the Copa del Rey semifinals.
Barcelona had received 5 in a row earlier than the defeat in opposition to Madrid within the Copa.
Barcelona’s subsequent match is at dwelling in opposition to third-placed Atletico Madrid, who beat relegation-threatened Almeria to win their sixth straight and get again inside two factors of Madrid.
The league is the one competitors Barcelona can nonetheless win in the remainder of the season. They received the Spanish Super Cup in a last in opposition to Madrid earlier this 12 months however have been eradicated in each the Champions League and the Europa League.
Getafe, who haven’t received in three consecutive league matches, stayed in fifteenth place, 4 factors above the relegation zone.
Barcelona’s final league title got here when Lionel Messi was nonetheless on the crew. They had received eight league titles in 11 seasons earlier than ending second in 2020, third in 2021, and second once more – with out Messi – final season.
The Catalans have been beneath scrutiny over their funds of a number of thousands and thousands of {dollars} over a number of years to an organization that belonged to the previous vice chairman of the nation’s refereeing committee.
The membership must defend itself within the courts after being formally accused by prosecutors of alleged corruption, fraudulent administration and falsification of documentation.
Club president Joan Laporta is predicted to speak concerning the subject in a news convention on Monday.
Atletico’s run
Atletico stayed near Madrid and prolonged their unbeaten streak to 13 league video games with Antoine Griezmann scoring twice in a 2-1 win in opposition to Almeria.
Both objectives by Griezmann got here within the first half. Almeria, sitting in seventeenth place simply outdoors the relegation zone, scored by an own-goal by Atletico defender Jose Maria Gimenez.
Finishing second is necessary as a result of it ensures a spot within the profitable Spanish Super Cup.
Valencia loss
Valencia stayed within the relegation zone after a 2-0 loss to Sevilla at dwelling.
It was the crew’s third loss of their final 4 video games – and tenth of their final 13 video games.
Loic Bade and Suso scored second-half objectives for Sevilla, which moved to twelfth place.
Valencia are 18th, three factors from security.
Elche’s struggles
Girona added to Elche’s struggles with a 2-0 win at dwelling with objectives by Taty Castellanos and Oriol Romeu.
It was the fourth straight loss for last-place Elche, who’ve just one win of their final 9 matches. They sit 17 factors from security with 9 rounds to go.
Girona have received two of their final 4 matches, transferring to ninth place.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
