2023-11-12 22:44:53
First worrying then unconvincing, FC Barcelona, led from the 18th second of play by Alavés, ended up winning on Sunday (2-1) thanks to a double from Robert Lewandowski during the 13th day of Liga, for avoid plunging into crisis.
A victory that is worth gold for the Catalans, who had two defeats in their last three meetings, including a humiliating setback once morest Shakhtar Donetsk (1-0) on Tuesday in the Champions League.
It allows Barcelona, third, to come back to two points behind Real Madrid and four points behind its Catalan neighbor Girona, still in the lead.
Before the match once morest the promoted Basque, FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez refused to speak of “a crisis”, but the nightmarish start to the match of his players only confirmed the doubts.
Barça was cooled in the 18th second of play by the young Spanish striker Samu Omorodion, 19, who opened the scoring by winning at the near post in front of Iñigo Martinez (1-0) following a Gündogan loses the ball.
Lewandowski saves Barça
Loaned by Atlético Madrid, who recruited him in August following the first day of La Liga where he scored on his first professional start with Granada, the colossus (1m94) created hell for the Catalan defense.
Dominant in the air and inspired in his movements, Samu might have scored a hat-trick or even a quadruple but missed three opportunities to increase the score (9th, 14th, 31st).
Faced with the power of the Spanish international hopeful, the excitement of Jules Koundé pushed Xavi to change his system by placing Araujo, more solid in duels, in central defense.
The Blaugrana returned to the locker room under the whistles of the Montjuic Olympic stadium, before relaunching at the start of the second half thanks to a headed goal from Robert Lewandowski on a perfect cross from Koundé (53rd, 1-1).
Launched on the hour mark, Ferran Torres obtained a penalty for a foul by Abqar, transformed by Lewandowski, who delivered the Barcelonans with his first two goals since September (78th, 2-1).
It will take a lot more following the international break for Barcelona to retain their title.
Griezmann in history
Because Antoine Griezmann’s Atlético Madrid, still undefeated at home, remains on the lookout.
Author of a new goal and an assist, the French international allowed Atlético to win (3-1) once morest Villarreal on Sunday at the Metropolitano.
“Grizou” appeared at the far post on a cross from Llorente to give his team the advantage (80th, 2-1) and become the second top scorer in the history of Atlético, equaling Adrian Escudero with 169 goals under the rojiblanco jersey.
The 300th goal for club and national team from Maconnais, already sparkling on Tuesday in the Champions League once morest Celtic (6-0) and who has been walking on water since the start of 2023.
“If anyone can explain Griezmann’s 21st place in the Ballon d’Or…” wrote the Spanish sports daily Marca, agreeing with Didier Deschamps to say that the No.7 does not have “the recognition that ‘he deserves’.
The Colchoneros had nevertheless conceded a first goal from Moreno (20th, 1-0) before equalizing just before half-time by Alex Witsel, served by Griezmann (46th, 1-1).
Brazilian full-back Samuel Lino added a third goal once morest to seal the victory for his team (85th, 3-1).
Beaten by Las Palmas last weekend (2-1), Atlético Madrid (4th, 28 points) has a 15th consecutive victory at home in the league and remains two lengths behind FC Barcelona with a late match to play.
Villarreal, which has just parted ways with its coach José Rojo Pacheta two months following his arrival, is still in 14th place, and is waiting, according to the Spanish press, for ex-Olympique de Marseille coach Marcelino as his successor.
A few minutes before kick-off, former Barcelona player Ivan Rakitic allowed Sevilla FC to avoid defeat in the derby once morest Betis with a clear half-volley from outside the area (1-1) .
This is the fifth consecutive draw in La Liga for the Andalusian team, victorious in the Europa League last season and still stuck in the second half of the table. Nabil Fekir’s Betis (7th, 21 points) remains in contact with Real Sociedad (6th, 22 points) and Athletic Bilbao (5th, 24 points).
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