Robert Lewandowski scored two times as leaders Barcelona received 4-0 at backside facet Elche on Saturday to head provisionally 15 issues transparent of second-placed Real Madrid on the most sensible of LaLiga.
While the Catalan facet took any other step in opposition to their twenty seventh LaLiga name, Real will search for a win in opposition to Valladolid on Sunday to stay their slender hopes alive.
LaLiga most sensible scorer Lewandowski were given again at the objective path after 3 goalless league video games, opening the scoring within the twentieth minute with a close-range end after Ronald Araujo headed the ball right down to him in entrance of objective.
Ansu Fati doubled the lead within the fifty fifth minute after choosing up a Ferran Torres cross in his personal part and breaking ahead in opposition to the brink of the field earlier than firing low into the a long way nook to attain within the league for the primary time since October.
Barcelona’s trademark prime urgent paid off within the sixty fifth minute when Gavi stole the ball off the Elche protection to arrange Lewandowski within the field, who had no bother scoring his moment of the evening and seventeenth league objective of the season.
Torres were given at the scoresheet within the Seventieth-minute, slotting his shot into the left nook for his 3rd league objective of the marketing campaign in a recreation the place the remainder of the squad stepped up within the absence of key gamers similar to Ousmane Dembele, Pedri, Raphinha and Frenkie De Jong.
“It has been perfect: two from Robert, one from Ferran and one from Ansu. A great night for the forwards and players who needed and gained a lot of confidence,” Barcelona trainer Xavi Hernandez informed journalists.
“We showed that we are a unit, and no matter who plays, everyone delivers.”
Barcelona will face sour opponents Real Madrid for the fourth time in 2023 on Wednesday in the second one leg in their Copa del Rey semi-final, the place they hang a 1-0 lead.
Elche are getting ready to relegation with 13 issues from 27 video games, 14 issues adrift of the protection zone.
This tale has been revealed from a twine company feed with out changes to the textual content.