Real Madrid have one hand on a first La Liga trophy in four years after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brilliant winner in a 2-1 victory at Barcelona on Saturday that stretched their lead over their bitter rivals to seven points with four games left.
On a dramatic, rain-lashed night at the Nou Camp, the Portuguese forwards 73rd-minute strike from Mesut Ozils superb assist secured the win his coach and compatriot Jose Mourinho had sought in vain in eight previous trips to Barcas imposing arena during his otherwise glittering career.
It was Reals first success in eight La Liga Clasicos - four of them before Mourinho arrived from Inter Milan - and gives them a timely boost for Wednesdays Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Bayern Munich, when they will seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit.
We have struck a very significant blow but its not yet decisive, Real midfielder Xabi Alonso said in an interview with Spanish television.
Of course its an important step towards the title but now we have to see it home, added the Spain international.
Cristianos goal, coming straight after they levelled, broke their stride and that was fundamental.
We controlled the match perfectly. It was a great performance, a fantastic result and I am very happy. Now we have another key match on Wednesday.
Barca, by contrast, need to regroup after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in almost three years following Saturdays reverse and a 1-0 loss at Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola, whose only defeat in 14 previous Clasicos as Barca coach was in last years Kings Cup final, may also have his tactics questioned after he left Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro out of his starting line-up.
Sanchez came off the bench to snatch a 70th-minute equaliser after a rare Sami Khedira goal had given Real an early lead, while a toothless Barca could have done with Fabregas creativity and eye for goal much earlier than the 80th minute.
TITLE CONCEDED
Guardiola opened his news conference by conceding his bid to lead Barca to a fourth straight La Liga crown had failed.
I congratulate Real Madrid on their victory and on the league title, the former Barca and Spain midfielder said.
Right now the players are tired and sad and I cant say if there will be a psychological effect for the Chelsea game, he added.
We will try to find a way to attack Chelsea but now we have to rest and recover and try to forget tonights game as quickly as possible.
As the two teams walked out for a match watched by hundreds of millions around the world, close to 100,000 home fans transformed the stadium into a giant mosaic in the blue and red colours of the club and the yellow and red of Catalonia.
Som i serem (We are and we will be) was picked out in yellow on one side of the arena as the home support bellowed the club anthem El Cant del Barca.
Guardiola deployed an attacking formation with only three defenders and featuring the surprise inclusion of pacy 20-year-old B-team winger Cristian Tello.
Mourinho fielded the same starting 11 as he did on Tuesday, when Real were beaten 2-1 at Bayern Munich, with Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and the excellent Ozil looking to catch Barca on the break.
SHARP REACTION
Real, who also set a new record of 109 goals scored in a league season, were ahead when Khedira was sharpest to react after Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes could not gather the ball after a corner and the Germany midfielder bundled it over the line.
Barca had started nervously and lacked their usual fluidity, and once Real were ahead they defended solidly and rarely looked like conceding as Barca stroked the ball around on the slick surface without real penetration.
The noise volume inside the giant arena rose after substitute Sanchez finally scrambled the ball in for the equaliser but the home fans were silenced three minutes later.
Ozils superb pass released Ronaldo in space on the right and he took the ball wide before smashing it home.
The goal, extending his La Liga record tally for the season to 42, was the best response to critics who accuse the Portuguese of flopping in big games. He is now one goal ahead of Barca forward Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring chart.
Messi tried desperately to breach the Real defence but was thwarted again and again and cut a forlorn figure at the end of the game as the Real players celebrated wildly nearby.
As well as virtually wrapping up the title, Reals win ended Barcas 11-match winning streak in the league and inflicted a first defeat on the Catalans in 35 league matches at the Nou Camp and in 55 home games in all competitions.
Mourinho, who again declined to speak to the media, will now be relishing a potential crack at his old club in next months Champions League final in Munich.
Showing posts with label barca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label barca. Show all posts
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Real restore lead over Barca
Leaders Real Madrid restored their four-point advantage over chasing Barcelona when Cristiano Ronaldo netted his seventh hat-trick of the La Liga campaign in a 4-1 drubbing of city neighbours Atletico on Wednesday.
Real had seen their lead over their arch rivals whittled down to one point after Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Valencia and Barca's 4-0 win at home to Getafe on Tuesday and needed a win to keep their bid for a first title in four years on track.
Ronaldo was the difference between the sides at the Calderon and the Portuguese international smashed in a free kick to open the scoring in the 25th minute before Radamel Falcao nodded an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.
Atletico, who have not beaten Real in almost 13 years, pressed forward in search of an unlikely winner but Ronaldo made it 2-1 in the 68th minute when he drifted in from the left and arrowed a long-range shot over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The goal incensed some of the home fans and they pelted the Real players with plastic bottles as they celebrated together in the corner of the pitch.
Atletico defender Diego Godin felled Gonzalo Higuain in the penalty area around 10 minutes from time and Ronaldo stroked the spot kick past Courtois for his 40th league goal of the campaign, equalling the La Liga record he set last season.
He is one ahead of Barca forward and World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who scored the Spanish champions' second goal on Tuesday.
BIT TENSE
Ronaldo, who sent Jose Callejon clear on the right in the 88th minute to score Real's fourth, said he and his team mates had been feeling the pressure after Barca's victory.
"We were a bit tense as we knew that Barca had won yesterday and we had to win," Ronaldo, who is the first player in the history of Europe's top four leagues to net 40 goals in consecutive seasons, said in a television interview.
"I am very pleased that the team won, that I scored and set up a goal and we have to carry on in the same way.
"There is still some way to go in the league but we are closer to the title now."
Real, who play at Barca's Nou Camp stadium on April 21, have 82 points from 32 matches, with Barca on 78. Europa League semi-finalists Atletico are ninth on 42 points and in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season.
In the earlier kickoffs, Valencia climbed above Malaga into third and an automatic qualification slot for next season's Champions League when a Jonas double helped them to a 4-1 win at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Jordi Alba and Pablo Hernandez also struck for the Europa League semi-finalists, who have 52 points.
Valencia's less illustrious city neighbours Levante missed a chance to go fourth when they surrendered the lead and lost 3-2 at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon.
They stay fifth on 48 points, two behind Malaga who play at struggling Villarreal on Thursday and can reclaim third with a win at the Madrigal.
Athletic Bilbao, who are also through to the last four of the Europa League but whose La Liga form has been erratic, had to come from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw at 10-man Granada and are seventh on 42 points.
Real had seen their lead over their arch rivals whittled down to one point after Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Valencia and Barca's 4-0 win at home to Getafe on Tuesday and needed a win to keep their bid for a first title in four years on track.
Ronaldo was the difference between the sides at the Calderon and the Portuguese international smashed in a free kick to open the scoring in the 25th minute before Radamel Falcao nodded an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.
Atletico, who have not beaten Real in almost 13 years, pressed forward in search of an unlikely winner but Ronaldo made it 2-1 in the 68th minute when he drifted in from the left and arrowed a long-range shot over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The goal incensed some of the home fans and they pelted the Real players with plastic bottles as they celebrated together in the corner of the pitch.
Atletico defender Diego Godin felled Gonzalo Higuain in the penalty area around 10 minutes from time and Ronaldo stroked the spot kick past Courtois for his 40th league goal of the campaign, equalling the La Liga record he set last season.
He is one ahead of Barca forward and World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who scored the Spanish champions' second goal on Tuesday.
BIT TENSE
Ronaldo, who sent Jose Callejon clear on the right in the 88th minute to score Real's fourth, said he and his team mates had been feeling the pressure after Barca's victory.
"We were a bit tense as we knew that Barca had won yesterday and we had to win," Ronaldo, who is the first player in the history of Europe's top four leagues to net 40 goals in consecutive seasons, said in a television interview.
"I am very pleased that the team won, that I scored and set up a goal and we have to carry on in the same way.
"There is still some way to go in the league but we are closer to the title now."
Real, who play at Barca's Nou Camp stadium on April 21, have 82 points from 32 matches, with Barca on 78. Europa League semi-finalists Atletico are ninth on 42 points and in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season.
In the earlier kickoffs, Valencia climbed above Malaga into third and an automatic qualification slot for next season's Champions League when a Jonas double helped them to a 4-1 win at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Jordi Alba and Pablo Hernandez also struck for the Europa League semi-finalists, who have 52 points.
Valencia's less illustrious city neighbours Levante missed a chance to go fourth when they surrendered the lead and lost 3-2 at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon.
They stay fifth on 48 points, two behind Malaga who play at struggling Villarreal on Thursday and can reclaim third with a win at the Madrigal.
Athletic Bilbao, who are also through to the last four of the Europa League but whose La Liga form has been erratic, had to come from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw at 10-man Granada and are seventh on 42 points.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Barca draw to leave Real seven clear
Real Madrid moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 win over bottom side Real Zaragoza as Barcelona could only draw 0-0 at lowly Villarreal on Saturday.
The league leaders recovered quickly from their midweek King's Cup quarter-final exit to arch-rivals Barca and it was Pep Guardiola's victors who seemed to suffer a hangover.
Barca's pursuit of a fourth consecutive league title is now an even tougher task as they seek to catch Jose Mourinho's men after yet another poor showing on the road where five draws and one defeat has taken it's toll.
Real's 17th win from 20 league games left them top on 52 points, with Barca second on 45. Valencia, in third with 35, visit Racing Santander on Sunday.
The European and Spanish champions were down to the bare bones at the Madrigal with Pedro a late addition to their growing injury list that includes the striker David Villa and midfielder Andres Iniesta.
Lionel Messi lobbed just wide during a stale first half as Barca lacked their usual zip against a side who started the day in 17th place having won their first game in 11 attempts last weekend.
Barca threw men forward near the end, fielding Alexis Sanchez as a substitute despite him playing with a shoulder injury, but they could not beat home keeper Diego Lopez.
The Spanish international denied Messi in a one-on-one in the closing minutes and with the goal gaping, Fabregas booted the rebound high over the bar to complete a bad night for the visitors.
"The league isn't over yet, there is still a long way to go," World Player-of-the-Year Messi told reporters.
"We just lacked a bit of luck tonight. We didn't play as well as we can do, but we created chances and all we lacked was a goal."
SURPRISE LEAD
Angel Lafita gave Zaragoza a surprise early lead at the Bernabeu after a quickly taken freekick in the 11th minute but thoughts of a first win since mid-October quickly disappeared.
Brazilian Kaka squeezed a low shot under Roberto to level in the 32nd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in his 24th league goal of the campaign at the start of the second half.
The lively Mesut Ozil netted with a fierce drive after a slick passing move in the 56th and the whistles from home fans against Mourinho from last weekend, appeared long forgotten.
Manolo Jimenez's side remain six points adrift at the foot of the standings with 12 points, and are without a win in 13 outings.
Espanyol are fifth with 31 points and Athletic Bilbao sixth on 29 after both won earlier on Saturday.
Espanyol recovered from a shock midweek King's Cup quarter-final exit against tiny third-tier side Mirandes to beat 10-man Real Mallorca 1-0 at home.
Vladimir Weiss capitalised on an error from Mallorca's Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate to put the Catalans in front after 18 minutes, but they failed to make the extra man count when Aouate was harshly sent off just after the break.
Spain striker Fernando Llorente scored a hat-trick as Cup semi-finalists Bilbao came from behind to win 3-2 in a pulsating encounter at Rayo Vallecano.
The powerful frontman nodded in the equaliser, controlled a long ball and turned his marker to put them 2-1 up, and headed the winner for his 11th league goal this season.
The league leaders recovered quickly from their midweek King's Cup quarter-final exit to arch-rivals Barca and it was Pep Guardiola's victors who seemed to suffer a hangover.
Barca's pursuit of a fourth consecutive league title is now an even tougher task as they seek to catch Jose Mourinho's men after yet another poor showing on the road where five draws and one defeat has taken it's toll.
Real's 17th win from 20 league games left them top on 52 points, with Barca second on 45. Valencia, in third with 35, visit Racing Santander on Sunday.
The European and Spanish champions were down to the bare bones at the Madrigal with Pedro a late addition to their growing injury list that includes the striker David Villa and midfielder Andres Iniesta.
Lionel Messi lobbed just wide during a stale first half as Barca lacked their usual zip against a side who started the day in 17th place having won their first game in 11 attempts last weekend.
Barca threw men forward near the end, fielding Alexis Sanchez as a substitute despite him playing with a shoulder injury, but they could not beat home keeper Diego Lopez.
The Spanish international denied Messi in a one-on-one in the closing minutes and with the goal gaping, Fabregas booted the rebound high over the bar to complete a bad night for the visitors.
"The league isn't over yet, there is still a long way to go," World Player-of-the-Year Messi told reporters.
"We just lacked a bit of luck tonight. We didn't play as well as we can do, but we created chances and all we lacked was a goal."
SURPRISE LEAD
Angel Lafita gave Zaragoza a surprise early lead at the Bernabeu after a quickly taken freekick in the 11th minute but thoughts of a first win since mid-October quickly disappeared.
Brazilian Kaka squeezed a low shot under Roberto to level in the 32nd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in his 24th league goal of the campaign at the start of the second half.
The lively Mesut Ozil netted with a fierce drive after a slick passing move in the 56th and the whistles from home fans against Mourinho from last weekend, appeared long forgotten.
Manolo Jimenez's side remain six points adrift at the foot of the standings with 12 points, and are without a win in 13 outings.
Espanyol are fifth with 31 points and Athletic Bilbao sixth on 29 after both won earlier on Saturday.
Espanyol recovered from a shock midweek King's Cup quarter-final exit against tiny third-tier side Mirandes to beat 10-man Real Mallorca 1-0 at home.
Vladimir Weiss capitalised on an error from Mallorca's Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate to put the Catalans in front after 18 minutes, but they failed to make the extra man count when Aouate was harshly sent off just after the break.
Spain striker Fernando Llorente scored a hat-trick as Cup semi-finalists Bilbao came from behind to win 3-2 in a pulsating encounter at Rayo Vallecano.
The powerful frontman nodded in the equaliser, controlled a long ball and turned his marker to put them 2-1 up, and headed the winner for his 11th league goal this season.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Pepe will face Barca if fit: Mourinho
Real Madrid defender Pepe will play in Wednesday's King's Cup quarter-final second leg at Barcelona if he is fit despite the controversy over his alleged stamp on Lionel Messi's hand in last week's first game, coach Jose Mourinho said on Tuesday.
Pepe denied intentionally treading on Messi in the 2-1 defeat and the incident, caught on television cameras, was apparently missed by the referee, who had earlier booked the Portuguese for a late tackle on Sergio Busquets.
The 28-year-old Pepe, who was left out of Sunday's La Liga win at home to Athletic Bilbao, is available for the game at the Nou Camp after the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) decided on Monday to take no action against him.
At a news conference where his often difficult relationship with the media hit a new low, a tetchy Mourinho said Pepe and midfielders Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero had minor injuries and a decision on their availability would be taken on Wednesday.
"There are three players with problems, including Lass and Granero," Mourinho, who gave curt responses to most of the questions he was asked, told reporters.
"If he is physically fit he'll play," he said of his compatriot Pepe.
Barca decided not to report Pepe over the incident and said it was up to the soccer authorities to take the initiative.
President Sandro Rosell, responding to the federation's decision to stand pat, said Spain could learn from countries like England.
The English FA on Monday charged Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli with violent conduct following an incident in Sunday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur when he appeared to stamp on the head of Spurs midfielder Scott Parker.
The referee took no action but Italian Balotelli was subject to a so-called retrospective action and could be banned for four matches.
"It would be good if with Pepe one took the example of what happens in countries like England," Rosell said.
"When someone jumps a red light the police should punish them even if the pedestrian who gets run over does not report it."
INACCURATE MOLES
The Pepe incident has added extra spice to the Cup second leg but Mourinho batted away several questions about what tactics he plans to employ to try to reverse Real's woeful run of results against their arch rivals.
Last week's defeat at the Bernabeu was Mourinho's fifth against Barca in nine games since he joined Real and he has only managed one win in a 'clasico', a 1-0 success after extra time in last year's Cup final.
"I won't answer," he said when probed about his plans.
"I am the coach and the decision is mine and I don't have to announce it publically."
Asked about an unsourced report in the Spanish media that he plans to leave Real in June, the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager added: "Did I say that? Ask your colleague."
Another reporter asked him if he was happy at Real and Mourinho answered with a vague murmur that appeared to indicate he was.
Responding to an enquiry about why he thought some Real fans had whistled him in Sunday's win over Bilbao, he said curtly: "I don't know. You'll have to ask them."
Spanish media have also reported an alleged training ground row between Mourinho and Real's Spain defender Sergio Ramos and suggested there was a rift in the squad between the Spanish internationals and the Portuguese.
Ramos used his Twitter account to reject the reports on Tuesday, saying he wanted the issue closed and that he and Mourinho were fighting for the same goals.
"I think that enough is enough and the mole, or moles, should be accurate with their information," he wrote.
"I have never in my career shown disrespect for any coach," he added.
"With that, I deny some things they said about me and that I never said."
Pepe denied intentionally treading on Messi in the 2-1 defeat and the incident, caught on television cameras, was apparently missed by the referee, who had earlier booked the Portuguese for a late tackle on Sergio Busquets.
The 28-year-old Pepe, who was left out of Sunday's La Liga win at home to Athletic Bilbao, is available for the game at the Nou Camp after the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) decided on Monday to take no action against him.
At a news conference where his often difficult relationship with the media hit a new low, a tetchy Mourinho said Pepe and midfielders Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero had minor injuries and a decision on their availability would be taken on Wednesday.
"There are three players with problems, including Lass and Granero," Mourinho, who gave curt responses to most of the questions he was asked, told reporters.
"If he is physically fit he'll play," he said of his compatriot Pepe.
Barca decided not to report Pepe over the incident and said it was up to the soccer authorities to take the initiative.
President Sandro Rosell, responding to the federation's decision to stand pat, said Spain could learn from countries like England.
The English FA on Monday charged Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli with violent conduct following an incident in Sunday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur when he appeared to stamp on the head of Spurs midfielder Scott Parker.
The referee took no action but Italian Balotelli was subject to a so-called retrospective action and could be banned for four matches.
"It would be good if with Pepe one took the example of what happens in countries like England," Rosell said.
"When someone jumps a red light the police should punish them even if the pedestrian who gets run over does not report it."
INACCURATE MOLES
The Pepe incident has added extra spice to the Cup second leg but Mourinho batted away several questions about what tactics he plans to employ to try to reverse Real's woeful run of results against their arch rivals.
Last week's defeat at the Bernabeu was Mourinho's fifth against Barca in nine games since he joined Real and he has only managed one win in a 'clasico', a 1-0 success after extra time in last year's Cup final.
"I won't answer," he said when probed about his plans.
"I am the coach and the decision is mine and I don't have to announce it publically."
Asked about an unsourced report in the Spanish media that he plans to leave Real in June, the former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager added: "Did I say that? Ask your colleague."
Another reporter asked him if he was happy at Real and Mourinho answered with a vague murmur that appeared to indicate he was.
Responding to an enquiry about why he thought some Real fans had whistled him in Sunday's win over Bilbao, he said curtly: "I don't know. You'll have to ask them."
Spanish media have also reported an alleged training ground row between Mourinho and Real's Spain defender Sergio Ramos and suggested there was a rift in the squad between the Spanish internationals and the Portuguese.
Ramos used his Twitter account to reject the reports on Tuesday, saying he wanted the issue closed and that he and Mourinho were fighting for the same goals.
"I think that enough is enough and the mole, or moles, should be accurate with their information," he wrote.
"I have never in my career shown disrespect for any coach," he added.
"With that, I deny some things they said about me and that I never said."
Magic Messi fires Barca
Lionel Messi netted two typically brilliant goals and a rare header as Barcelona closed to within two points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid, at least for a few hours, with a 4-1 win at Malaga on Sunday.
The Argentine World Player of the Year leaped to nod Adriano's floated cross into the bottom corner in the 33rd minute at the Rosaleda before Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half.
Any lingering Malaga hopes were snuffed out three minutes later when Messi slotted his second, a trademark run and finish that left the home defence in disarray.
The 24-year-old, who won a third successive World Player award this month, curled a free kick on to the underside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time before he again left his hapless markers trailing to complete his hat-trick in the 82nd minute.
His 22nd goal of the campaign put him one ahead of Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scorers chart.
Substitute Salomon Rondon, who replaced former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy with half an hour remaining, scored a consolation for the home side five minutes from time.
"It was important to win today and I managed to get a few goals too so I am pleased all round," Messi, clutching his 'hat-trick' match ball, told Spanish television.
"All the games are tough when you are away from home but now we need to recuperate for what will definitely be a difficult match on Wednesday," he added, in reference to Barca's King's Cup quarter-final second leg at home to Real.
REPORTED RIFT
Victory lifted Barca to 44 points from 19 of 38 matches, with Real on 46 ahead of their home game against Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday (2030 GMT).
Third-placed Valencia dropped points for the fourth time in five matches and are nine behind Barca after conceding a goal in added time in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna earlier on Sunday.
Roberto Soldado looked to have secured victory for Unai Emery's side when he nodded his 12th goal of the season six minutes from time at the Reyno de Navarra stadium in Pamplona.
However, Valencia captain David Albelda was shown a straight red card moments later for a badly-timed lunge on David Timor and defender Lolo scrambled the ball home from the resulting free kick to rescue a point for the home side.
Levante can close to within two points of city rivals Valencia with a win at home to bottom club Real Zaragoza later on Sunday (1845).
Real Madrid need to recover from Wednesday's 2-1 Cup defeat at home to Barca amid reports in local media of a rift in the dressing room.
Sports daily Marca carried quotes from what it said was a row between coach Jose Mourinho and defender Sergio Ramos and the paper said some Real players had lost confidence in the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager.
The Argentine World Player of the Year leaped to nod Adriano's floated cross into the bottom corner in the 33rd minute at the Rosaleda before Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half.
Any lingering Malaga hopes were snuffed out three minutes later when Messi slotted his second, a trademark run and finish that left the home defence in disarray.
The 24-year-old, who won a third successive World Player award this month, curled a free kick on to the underside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time before he again left his hapless markers trailing to complete his hat-trick in the 82nd minute.
His 22nd goal of the campaign put him one ahead of Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scorers chart.
Substitute Salomon Rondon, who replaced former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy with half an hour remaining, scored a consolation for the home side five minutes from time.
"It was important to win today and I managed to get a few goals too so I am pleased all round," Messi, clutching his 'hat-trick' match ball, told Spanish television.
"All the games are tough when you are away from home but now we need to recuperate for what will definitely be a difficult match on Wednesday," he added, in reference to Barca's King's Cup quarter-final second leg at home to Real.
REPORTED RIFT
Victory lifted Barca to 44 points from 19 of 38 matches, with Real on 46 ahead of their home game against Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday (2030 GMT).
Third-placed Valencia dropped points for the fourth time in five matches and are nine behind Barca after conceding a goal in added time in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna earlier on Sunday.
Roberto Soldado looked to have secured victory for Unai Emery's side when he nodded his 12th goal of the season six minutes from time at the Reyno de Navarra stadium in Pamplona.
However, Valencia captain David Albelda was shown a straight red card moments later for a badly-timed lunge on David Timor and defender Lolo scrambled the ball home from the resulting free kick to rescue a point for the home side.
Levante can close to within two points of city rivals Valencia with a win at home to bottom club Real Zaragoza later on Sunday (1845).
Real Madrid need to recover from Wednesday's 2-1 Cup defeat at home to Barca amid reports in local media of a rift in the dressing room.
Sports daily Marca carried quotes from what it said was a row between coach Jose Mourinho and defender Sergio Ramos and the paper said some Real players had lost confidence in the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Magic Messi fires Barca
Lionel Messi netted two typically brilliant goals and a rare header as Barcelona closed to within two points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid, at least for a few hours, with a 4-1 win at Malaga on Sunday.
The Argentine World Player of the Year leaped to nod Adriano's floated cross into the bottom corner in the 33rd minute at the Rosaleda before Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half.
Any lingering Malaga hopes were snuffed out three minutes later when Messi slotted his second, a trademark run and finish that left the home defence in disarray.
The 24-year-old, who won a third successive World Player award this month, curled a free kick on to the underside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time before he again left his hapless markers trailing to complete his hat-trick in the 82nd minute.
His 22nd goal of the campaign put him one ahead of Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scorers chart.
Substitute Salomon Rondon, who replaced former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy with half an hour remaining, scored a consolation for the home side five minutes from time.
"It was important to win today and I managed to get a few goals too so I am pleased all round," Messi, clutching his 'hat-trick' match ball, told Spanish television.
"All the games are tough when you are away from home but now we need to recuperate for what will definitely be a difficult match on Wednesday," he added, in reference to Barca's King's Cup quarter-final second leg at home to Real.
REPORTED RIFT
Victory lifted Barca to 44 points from 19 of 38 matches, with Real on 46 ahead of their home game against Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday (2030 GMT).
Third-placed Valencia dropped points for the fourth time in five matches and are nine behind Barca after conceding a goal in added time in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna earlier on Sunday.
Roberto Soldado looked to have secured victory for Unai Emery's side when he nodded his 12th goal of the season six minutes from time at the Reyno de Navarra stadium in Pamplona.
However, Valencia captain David Albelda was shown a straight red card moments later for a badly-timed lunge on David Timor and defender Lolo scrambled the ball home from the resulting free kick to rescue a point for the home side.
Levante can close to within two points of city rivals Valencia with a win at home to bottom club Real Zaragoza later on Sunday (1845).
Real Madrid need to recover from Wednesday's 2-1 Cup defeat at home to Barca amid reports in local media of a rift in the dressing room.
Sports daily Marca carried quotes from what it said was a row between coach Jose Mourinho and defender Sergio Ramos and the paper said some Real players had lost confidence in the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager.
The Argentine World Player of the Year leaped to nod Adriano's floated cross into the bottom corner in the 33rd minute at the Rosaleda before Alexis Sanchez made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half.
Any lingering Malaga hopes were snuffed out three minutes later when Messi slotted his second, a trademark run and finish that left the home defence in disarray.
The 24-year-old, who won a third successive World Player award this month, curled a free kick on to the underside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time before he again left his hapless markers trailing to complete his hat-trick in the 82nd minute.
His 22nd goal of the campaign put him one ahead of Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scorers chart.
Substitute Salomon Rondon, who replaced former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy with half an hour remaining, scored a consolation for the home side five minutes from time.
"It was important to win today and I managed to get a few goals too so I am pleased all round," Messi, clutching his 'hat-trick' match ball, told Spanish television.
"All the games are tough when you are away from home but now we need to recuperate for what will definitely be a difficult match on Wednesday," he added, in reference to Barca's King's Cup quarter-final second leg at home to Real.
REPORTED RIFT
Victory lifted Barca to 44 points from 19 of 38 matches, with Real on 46 ahead of their home game against Athletic Bilbao later on Sunday (2030 GMT).
Third-placed Valencia dropped points for the fourth time in five matches and are nine behind Barca after conceding a goal in added time in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna earlier on Sunday.
Roberto Soldado looked to have secured victory for Unai Emery's side when he nodded his 12th goal of the season six minutes from time at the Reyno de Navarra stadium in Pamplona.
However, Valencia captain David Albelda was shown a straight red card moments later for a badly-timed lunge on David Timor and defender Lolo scrambled the ball home from the resulting free kick to rescue a point for the home side.
Levante can close to within two points of city rivals Valencia with a win at home to bottom club Real Zaragoza later on Sunday (1845).
Real Madrid need to recover from Wednesday's 2-1 Cup defeat at home to Barca amid reports in local media of a rift in the dressing room.
Sports daily Marca carried quotes from what it said was a row between coach Jose Mourinho and defender Sergio Ramos and the paper said some Real players had lost confidence in the former Inter Milan and Chelsea manager.
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