MADRID (REUTERS) - La Liga leaders Barcelona won a tight and tense "Clasico" 1-0 at Real Madrid on Saturday (March 2), beating their great rivals at their Bernabeu home for the second time in four days and moving a staggering 12 points clear of them in the standings.
Croatia international Ivan Rakitic struck the only goal of the game midway through the first half, delivering an ice-cool finish over Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois after being played in by a clever pass by Sergi Roberto.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were largely kept quiet in a shy display from the champions in which their defenders Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet were the heroes instead, bravely putting their bodies in the way to snuff out Madrid.
The victory, which followed Barca's 3-0 win over Real in a Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday, gave them a 10-point lead at the top over Atletico Madrid, who visit Real Sociedad on Sunday, and effectively ended third-placed Real's title hopes.
The win also took Barca ahead of Real in the history books, with 96 wins in the 'Clasico' to their rivals' 95, while they recorded four consecutive league wins away to Real for the first time.
Real were left to reflect on a third consecutive home defeat in all competitions for the first time since 2004 and now have only one realistic objective for this season - retaining the Champions League which they have monopolised since 2016.
Winning Europe's biggest prize again could also be the last chance coach Santiago Solari has of keeping his job as even though his side played well here and in the Cup defeat, losing to Barca twice and falling 12 points behind them is not something Real Madrid tend to tolerate.
Madrid were less buccaneering than in Wednesday's 3-0 defeat in the cup semi-final second leg and Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr was their most dangerous threat once again but was again let down by his wayward shooting.
Vinicius tore down Barca's left side early on as Real took the game to Barca but when the ball fell to Luka Modric, Pique quickly delivered a block to kill the danger, something that became a familiar sight as the game progressed.
Barca could have taken the lead when Messi latched onto a pass and was clean through on goal, albeit with a difficult angle, but his shot drifted wide.
Rakitic found himself in a similar position soon afterwards but he kept his nerve, calmly chipping over Courtois to score.
Barca were left fuming at halftime when Real captain Sergio Ramos appeared to strike Messi in the face after winning a tackle but the Spaniard escaped a booking, although he was shown a yellow card later in the game.
It was a rare moment of needle in an unusually uneventful game between Spain's two biggest clubs.
Home Contact Us Get Listed Directory About Us Consumer Portal Client Portal the internet pages.co.uk England Scotland Wales Ireland
The Sports News page - Rediff.com
Vigil van Dijk could not vote for a team mate. (Reuters picture) BANGALORE: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says he voted for Manchester City's Raheem Sterling to be named PFA player of the year.
Sterling gets van Dijk's vote for PFA award - theworldnews.net
Massimiliano "Max" Allegri (Italian pronunciation: [massimiˈljaːno alˈleːɡri, - alˈlɛː-]; born 11 August 1967) is an Italian former professional football player and current manager, who most recently managed Juventus. As a player, Allegri was a midfielder who spent his career playing
Buffon calls on PSG to show 'spirit of sacrifice' PARIS • So much has changed since the Champions League last-16 draw was made in December. Paris Saint-Germain were flying, Manchester United were in free fall and British pundits feared for the worst.
Gianluigi Buffon Identifies Two Problems Psg Have Ahead of
Chelsea cemented their grip on fourth place in the Premier League as Willian's sublime strike sealed a 2-1 win over struggling Newcastle on Saturday. Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea
MILAN, May 26 (Reuters) - Former European Cup winners AC Milan endured a bittersweet 3-2 win at SPAL in the last round of the Serie A, finishing the campaign outside the top four after their
Soccer-AC Milan miss out on top-four finish despite SPAL win
May 08, 2019 · Toyota Motor forecast lower growth in operating profit for the current year on an expected drop in revenue and weaker vehicle sales in Japan and North America. Net revenue was forecast to slip
I MADE A HUGE PROFIT!! (RACING RIVALS PINKS) 🔹3000 sub goal
Messi scored Barcelona's second goal in a 3-0 win. Lionel Messi scored his 400th La Liga goal as Barcelona beat Eibar at the Nou Camp to regain their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Messi scores 50th career hat-trick in Barcelona win - goal.com
May 28, 2019 · At the exact time Bill Hamid and D.C. United arrived at their practice grounds Tuesday, the first wave of players invited to U.S. national team training camp started their daily workout 30 miles
Mauricio Pochettino feels his two-match touchline ban for confronting referee Mike Dean is "completely unfair". Tottenham boss Pochettino was seen arguing at length with Dean following a 2-1
Mauricio Pochettino labels two-game touchline ban 'completely
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United Wolves then took the game to United after
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
Aston Villa beat Derby County 2-1 in the Championship playoff final, earning back their spot in the Premier League. (Reuters pic) LONDON: Aston Villa returned to the Premier League, after a three
Soccer-Villa return to Premier League with win over Derby
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday, leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play.
Barcelona on verge of Liga title after beating Alaves
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar