Barcelona saved its title-chasing momentum by beating Valencia 1-0 and rising its lead over Real Madrid within the Spanish league on Sunday.
Raphinha scored a first-half winner for Barcelona, which missed a penalty from Ferran Torres early within the second half after which noticed defender Ronald Araujo despatched off.
The win on the Camp Nou stadium got here three days after Barcelona defeated Madrid 1-0 on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium within the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The Catalan membership took its league lead over Madrid to 10 factors, rising the strain on its rival. Madrid performs at Real Betis in a while Sunday.
Barcelona had misplaced two in a row — towards Manchester United within the Europa League and Almeria within the league — earlier than arising with the massive Copa victory towards Madrid on the Bernabéu.
Raphinha scored with a header after a well-placed go by Sergio Busquets within the fifteenth minute. Torres missed the penalty within the fifty fifth and 4 minutes later Araujo was despatched off for stopping a breakaway.
Barcelona acquired the win regardless of nonetheless lacking a few of its prime gamers, together with Robert Lewandowski, the league’s main scorer. Ousmane Dembélé and Pedri additionally didn’t play due to accidents, whereas playmaker Gavi was out due to a yellow-card suspension.
Valencia was attempting to win two in a row after a run of six consecutive losses in all competitions. It got here into the Camp Nou contained in the relegation zone and lacking a number of gamers due to damage, together with veteran striker Edinson Cavani. It dropped to nineteenth place, two factors from security.
It was Valencia’s third sport with coach Rubén Baraja in cost after he changed Gennaro Gattuso. Singaporean membership proprietor Peter Lim nonetheless faces protests from Valencia followers who accuse him of poor administration and never caring for the membership’s pursuits.
Madrid, which drew 1-1 at dwelling towards Atletico Madrid within the earlier spherical, will go to Betis with out midfielder Luka Modric due to a yellow-card suspension. Betis shall be lacking two key playmakers due to accidents — Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales.
Madrid and Barcelona will play their ultimate league sport on March 19 on the Camp Nou.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com