In 3 days, Barcelona has loved gazing rival Real Madrid take two blows.
After beating Madrid 1–0 within the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Barcelona stored its title-chasing momentum within the Spanish league via defeating Valencia 1–0 and lengthening its lead over second-place Madrid to 9. issues. Madrid could not stay tempo with the Catalan membership later Sunday after being held to a 0-0 draw at Real Betis.
Raphinha scored a first-half winner for Barcelona, who neglected a penalty from Ferran Torres early in the second one half of after which noticed defender Ronald Araujo despatched off.
Madrid used to be most commonly in regulate towards Betis, however Vinícius Júnior, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo did not capitalize on their scoring possibilities.
Barcelona and Madrid will play their ultimate league sport on March 19 on the Camp Nou.
“It’s not over yet,” stated Madrid’s Lucas Vázquez. “We know it is going to be difficult, however we can battle until the top. We truly suppose we will make a run.
Barcelona had misplaced two in a row — towards Manchester United within the Europa League and Almeria within the league — earlier than arising with the large Copa victory towards Madrid on the Bernabéu.
Raphinha scored towards Valencia with a header after a well-placed cross via Sergio Busquets within the fifteenth minute. Torres neglected the penalty within the fifty fifth and 4 mins later Araujo used to be despatched off for preventing a breakaway.
Barcelona were given the win regardless of nonetheless lacking a few of its best gamers, together with Robert Lewandowski, the league’s main scorer. Ousmane Dembélé and Pedri additionally did not play as a result of accidents, whilst playmaker Gavi used to be out as a result of a yellow-card suspension.
“We are not being effective up front and end up suffering to close out matches,” stated Barcelona trainer Xavi, who watched from the stands as a result of a suspension.
Madrid used to be with out midfielder Luka Modric as a result of a yellow-card suspension. Carlo Ancelotti’s workforce is winless in 3 directly fits after defeating Liverpool 5-2 within the first leg of the spherical of 16 within the Champions League.
Benzema scored from a unfastened kick within the twelfth however the objective used to be referred to as off after video evaluation since the ball deflected somewhat off the arm of Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger.
Betis noticed its three-game successful streak finish however it remained in 5th position, 3 issues in the back of fourth-place Real Sociedad within the ultimate Champions League spot.
Valencia used to be looking to win two in a row after a run of six consecutive losses in all competitions. It went into the Camp Nou within the relegation zone and lacking a number of gamers as a result of harm, together with veteran striker Edinson Cavani. Valencia is in nineteenth position, two issues from protection.
It used to be Valencia’s 3rd sport with trainer Rubén Baraja in price after he changed Gennaro Gattuso. Singaporean membership proprietor Peter Lim nonetheless faces protests from Valencia lovers who accuse him of deficient management and no longer taking care of the membership’s pursuits.
Valencia unsuccessfully demanded a penalty kick when Fran Pérez used to be introduced down via Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie within the house within the eighty fifth.
VALLADOLID VICTORY
Valladolid defeated Espanyol 2-1 in a fit between two golf equipment looking to steer clear of the relegation zone.
Iván Sánchez scored within the twenty fifth and Álvaro Aguado within the 62nd for Valladolid, which moved to 14th position, two issues transparent of the drop zone.
Martin Braithwaite netted within the 87th for Espanyol, which used to be twelfth however stayed with the similar 27 issues as Valladolid.
Valladolid hadn’t gained in 3 directly fits. Espanyol had gained two in a row.
DISAPPOINTING DRAW
Seventh-place Rayo Vallecano and eighth-place Athletic Bilbao drew 0-0 in a consequence that stored the golf equipment from shifting up into the European qualification puts.
Athletic just about got here away with the street win when Nico Williams’ stoppage-time shot struck the crossbar.
Both groups are winless in 4 directly league fits.
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