Updated
FootballBarca distance themselves from Real Madrid at the top of La Liga
Winners of Bétis Sevilla on Wednesday in a late match of the 17th day (2-1), the Blaugranas are now 8 points ahead of their rivals.
Back following three suspension matches, Robert Lewandowski scored his 14th goal of the season in La Liga.
Imago
8 dots! It is the small mattress in advance that FC Barcelona now has, winner of Betis Sevilla 2-1 Wednesday in a late match of the 17th day of La Liga, over its great rival, Real Madrid, which receives Valencia CF Thursday (21 hours).
The Catalans opened the scoring in the second period, on a free kick quickly played by Frenkie de Jong and an overflow from Alejandro Baldé on the left flank, who crossed hard for Raphinha (65th). Then they doubled the bet in the 80th thanks to the returning Robert Lewandowski, on the fallout of a corner deflected by Ronald Araujo.
The clumsy goal once morest his side by Jules Koundé (85th), who wanted to offer the ball from the chest to his goalkeeper, will not change the result but prevents the Blaugranas from chaining a fifth game in a row without conceding a single goal.
“We had a great game. The game produced was very good, excellent even,” savored Xavi at the final whistle. “Enthusiasm is at the top, we are going through a very good time, we have the morale to continue to garner success,” he added.
The pressure is now in the merengue camp: with an 8-point hole to fill, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are entering a decisive month of February under pressure and already seem far from the Catalans. “We are not well, of course. We don’t have the same rhythm as last year, and Barça are doing things very well. I don’t know if it’s a lot or not a lot to make up for, but we have the confidence. We will fight until the end. The best is yet to come,” assured Ancelotti on Wednesday at a pre-match press conference.
Lewandowski, a winning return
In the meantime, it is the Catalans who are rolling over Spain. The last defeat for Xavi’s men in all competitions dates back to October 26 once morest Bayern Munich in the Champions League (3-0). Since then, no one has managed to beat them, not even Real Madrid: they have chained thirteen wins and a draw (1-1 once morest Espanyol) in all competitions.
Again on Wednesday, even if they sometimes doubted in front of the assaults of the Andalusians (in particular on a deviation from Sergio Canales in the 88th which might have sealed the equalizer), the Barcelonans proved their superiority.
Raphinha, silent for a few matches, unblocked the situation in the second period, following seeing a first goal disallowed at the half-hour mark (33rd) for an offside position, and Robert Lewandowski, back following having served his three suspension matches, also went there with his small goal.
Real, also pressed by Real Sociedad (3rd 3 points from the Merengues), will have to respond immediately once morest a Valencia CF in doubt, three days following the dismissal of coach Gennaro Gattuso.
(AFP)
