Fire blazing-Barcelona capitalized on Real Madrid’s misstep, seizing the chance to launch the second half of the season with a triumphant victory, widening their result in probably the most vital margin but in La Liga.
After Madrid’s 1-0 loss at Mallorca, Barcelona prolonged its 10-game profitable streak in all competitions with a snug 3-0 victory over Sevilla on Sunday to open an eight-point lead over Madrid after 20 of 38 rounds.
It is probably the most vital lead by any crew this season, placing the Catalan membership in management because it chases its first league title since 2018-19.
“We are having a great season. We have been playing well, not giving many chances for our opponents,” Barcelona defender Jordi Alba stated. “It’s eight points. There are many leagues left, but it’s a good gap.”
Alba, Gavi, and Raphinha scored a aim every within the second half to offer Barcelona its fifth straight victory within the league.
The final recreation Barcelona didn’t win was a 1-1 league draw in opposition to Espanyol the earlier 12 months.
Sevilla, which obtained off to a surprisingly terrible begin to the season, was coming off two straight league wins that had helped it transfer additional away from the relegation zone. It dropped to sixteenth place with the loss, two factors from the drop zone.
Sevilla hasn’t gained in 15 league matches in opposition to Barcelona and 20 straight visits to the Catalan membership.
Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets had to get replaced eight minutes into the match at Camp Nou with an obvious ankle sprain.
Madrid fall
Marco Asensio missed a penalty kick in Madrid’s loss at Mallorca in its final match earlier than touring to Morocco to play on the Club World Cup.
Madrid was depleted by accidents and rested some gamers forward of the Club World Cup.
“We already expected a very tough match,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated. “We had our chances but couldn’t take advantage of them.”
Ancelotti couldn’t depend on a number of injured starters, together with striker Karim Benzema, defender Eder Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was dropped from the squad on the final minute after getting injured through the warmup. Ancelotti additionally rested midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who got here on within the second half.
Asensio missed an opportunity to equalize when Mallorca goalkeeper Pedrag Rajkovic saved his Sixtieth-minute penalty kick after Madrid ahead Vinicius Junior had been fouled. Madrid’s final probability was a header by Antonio Rüdiger that went narrowly broad deep into stoppage time.
The hosts obtained on the board with an own-goal by Nacho Fernandez, who was changing Militao in protection. Nacho went for a excessive cross and deflected the ball into his internet over goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who began instead of Courtois.
“I hit the ball with my head, and unfortunately, it went into the top corner,” Nacho stated. “It was a tougher match against a team that is having a good season. It’s a pity that we let three points get away.”
Madrid was coming off a win in opposition to Valencia after being held by Real Sociedad. Its opponent within the semifinals of the Club World Cup on Wednesday will probably be Egyptian membership Al Ahly.
It was the second win in three league matches for Mallorca and the fourth straight at residence. It remained mid-table with 28 factors from 20 video games.
“It’s a good result, it moves us further away from the relegation zone,” Mallorca’s Mexican coach Javier Aguirre stated. “But there are many matches left, we; can’t relax.”
Vinicius was proven a yellow card and will probably be suspended for Madrid’s subsequent league recreation in opposition to last-place Elche.
Sociedad stalls
Real Sociedad missed an opportunity to maneuver inside three factors of Madrid after dropping 1-0 to Valladolid at residence.
It was the third winless recreation for the Basque Country membership after a nine-game profitable streak in all competitions. Sociedad was coming off a 1-0 loss to Barcelona within the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey and a 0-0 draw at Madrid within the league.
Newly signed Canadian ahead Cyle Larin scored a second-half winner for Thirteenth-place Valladolid, which has gained two in a row after 5 straight losses in all competitions.
Struggling Valencia
Valencia’s struggles continued with a 1-0 defeat at Girona, a consequence that prolonged its dropping streak to 5 matches in all competitions.
Valencia has just one win in its final 12 league matches and is sitting simply outdoors the relegation zone.
Girona moved to eleventh place.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
