Barcelona lastly took issues their method, discovering a late goal to finish their winless run and go into the worldwide break on a constructive observe.
Barcelona struggled once more, however Frankie de Jong scored within the 87th minute to seal a 1-0 win over relegation-struck Alaves within the Spanish league on Sunday, breaking their three-match winless streak within the Copa. Includes elimination from Del Rey and Spanish Super. Cup.
The win moved the Catalan membership into the ultimate Champions League spot one level behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and 15 factors behind league chief Real Madrid with a recreation in hand.
Madrid wanted a stoppage-time purpose by Eder Militao to safe a 2–2 residence draw towards Elche. Madrid have a four-point benefit over top-ranked Sevilla after a tricky day for Karim Benzema, who missed a penalty kick and was later changed by harm.
late reduction
De Jong scored from shut vary to offer Barcelona the much-needed victory towards Alves.
“It’s an important victory to keep us on top,” mentioned Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez. “The worldwide break will likely be good for us. We will be capable of get well some gamers and work on our recreation.”
Barcelona had received solely twice of their final 10 away matches within the league, popping out of a draw once they misplaced their 89th match in Granada. It then misplaced to Madrid within the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup and to Athletic Bilbao within the spherical of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
“This win gives us the confidence to work harder and get closer to reaching our goals,” mentioned Barcelona defender Jordi Alba.
Barcelona had been with out the injured Anu Fati and likewise with out Ousmane Dembele, who the membership mentioned was reporting a “no-show” to the staff on account of an upset abdomen. Barcelona and Dembele face off over contract negotiations.
American defender Sergio Dest made his first debut since early December after recovering from an harm and coronavirus.
Alves is sitting second-to-last in his final 10 league matches.
Benzema’s laborious day
Benzema’s battle started when he missed his likelihood within the first half with solely the goalkeeper inside the sector. Moments later, he had one other likelihood to offer his staff the lead from the penalty spot, however the French striker despatched his shot over the crossbar.
Ending an unusually disappointing day, Madrid’s prime scorer needed to depart the match within the 58th with a muscle harm. Moving in direction of the locker room, he grabbed the again of his left leg. There was no instant information on the severity of the harm.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema reacts after failing to prime rating throughout a Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Elche on the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, January 23, 2022. (AP Photo / Manu Fernandez)
Lucas Boe and Pere Mila scored a purpose every to offer Elche a 2–0 lead, however Madrid pulled nearer within the 82nd with a penalty kick from Luka Modric and a agency header from Militao on the cross by Vinicius Jr. Evened the match with.
“It’s hard to take,” mentioned Mila. “We had Madrid against the ropes but couldn’t take advantage of it.”
Vinicius, who missed some good probabilities, picked up a yellow card that will see him suspended from the subsequent match.
Madrid superior to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey after beating Elche 2-1 in further time on Thursday. Eden Hazard, who scored the winner in further time, returned to the beginning lineup on Sunday after failing to earn a number of minutes on account of a collection of accidents. Gareth Bale stayed on the bench.
“We may not be happy with the result, but the way we came back to secure the draw has merit,” mentioned Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Elche superior 5 factors from the relegation zone with a draw on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. It was with out a number of gamers on account of accidents and coronavirus an infection, together with coach Francisco Rodriguez.
Madrid nice Paco Gento, who died final week on the age of 88, was honored on the Bernabeu earlier than the match.
different outcomes
Sixth-placed Real Sociedad had been held to a 0–0 draw by Getafe at residence, whereas midtable Osasuna ended their 10-match winless streak within the league with a 2–0 win in Grenada.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
