Barca win, Atletico close on Sevilla in La Liga title chase

By Daily Sports on March 20, 2017

Barcelona closed to within two points of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as Lionel Messi scored twice in a thrilling 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Earlier, Antoine Griezmann scored a stunning free-kick as Atletico Madrid compounded a week to forget for Sevilla with a 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon.

Barca needed to come from behind to keep the pressure on Madrid as Eliaquim Mangala headed Valencia in front.

But the on-loan Manchester City defender was sent-off for pulling down Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan had levelled and Messi smashed home the resulting penalty.

Munir El Haddadi briefly levelled for the 10 men before halftime, but Messi and finally Andre Gomes with his first Barca goal sealed the three points.

Madrid still also have a game in hand over their title rivals.

Outgoing Barca coach Luis Enrique named the same side that beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 10 days ago to progress to the Champions League quarterfinals in stunning fashion.

And while not matching that drama, there was no shortage of action as Valencia showed up the defensive flaws in Enrique’s new 3-4-3 system.

Messi had already had an effort cleared off the line, while Mats-Andre ter Stegen made a stunning save from Carlos Soler at the other end before an action packed final 15 minutes of the first-half saw four goals and a red card.

Barca’s weakness from set-pieces was exposed again a week on from conceding twice from corners in a 2-1 defeat at Deportivo la Coruna when Mangala powered home Dani Parejo's corner to open the scoring.

The lead lasted just six minutes as Suarez raced onto Neymar’s throw-in to slot into the far corner.

Mangala went from hero to villain as he then pulled down Suarez inside the area to concede a penalty and be sent-off.

Messi beat penalty specialist Diego Alves from the spot.

However, straight from kick-off Barca were caught cold as Jose Gaya teed up Munir El Haddadi to score against his parent club for the second time this season.

The champions still had 45 minutes to make their man advantage count, though, and they did so despite missing a host of chances after the break.

Messi drilled home at Alves’ near post seven minutes into the second period for his 41st goal of the season.

Suarez somehow slotted wide with the goal gaping after Alves had denied Messi his hat-trick, while Neymar hit the bar.

But Barca finally put the game to bed a minute from time when Neymar crossed for Gomes to tap home against his old side.

At the Calderon, Griezmann shone for Atletico once more as he teed up Diego Godin’s opener and then struck a stunning free-kick for his 22nd goal of the season.

Koke added Atletico’s third before Joaquin Correa registered a consolation for Sevilla.

Sevilla were dumped out of the Champions League by Atletico’s quarterfinal opponents Leicester City on Wednesday and have seen their lead over Atletico in third place in La Liga now whittled down to two points.

A third straight league win moves Diego Simeone’s men seven points clear of Real Sociedad and Villarreal in the battle for fourth.

“Sevilla have had a magnificent season and have been lauded by the press. That highlights even more how well Atletico played,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

And the Atletico fans also celebrated the return of Fernando Torres for the first time since he was knocked unconscious in a sickening head clash at Deportivo la Coruna on March 2.

Defeat realistically ends Sevilla’s already fading shot at the title as they fall eight points behind Real Madrid.

And coach Jorge Sampaoli claimed he has to rediscover the “real Sevilla” during the international break after four games without a win.

|Logically the league is now a long way off. Now we have to look at the possibility of automatically qualifying for the Champions League,” said the Argentine.

“It is normal when you don’t achieve what you want, which is to win, there is frustration and bitterness.

“We have come from a very hard blow to take and now we have to find solutions and the real Sevilla.” (© AFP)

•Photo shows Barca talisman Lionel Messi.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 20, 2017


 

You may also like...
Rossi’s Home Burgled During His Funeral

Flying Eagles Knocked Out Of WAFU Cup, To...

Hamilton Wins in Hungary after Dramatic Late Verstappen...

Nigeria battles for Chess World Cup ticket as...

Courtois And Benzema Rescue Real Madrid From Defeat...

For Young Nigerian Football Talents, Here Comes Another...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,388 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,395 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,544 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,217 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,002 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,880 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,764 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,221 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,271 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,182 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,630 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,206 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media