Category: Liga

Atletico beat Real for derby bragging rights and boost Champions League qualification hopes

May 8, 2022

Atletico Madrid secured a vital win in their hunt for a top-four finish as they beat city rivals Real Madrid 1-0.

Carlo Ancelotti made seven changes from the side that completed an incredible comeback in the Champions League semi-final against Man City and his side were well off their best in the first half.

The hosts deservedly went ahead when Angel Correa ran through on goal and was tripped by Jesus Vallejo in the box. The referee went to the VAR monitor after initially waving away Atleti’s protests and gave a penalty. Yannick Carrasco stepped up and scored confidently, putting them ahead.

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The Liga champions improved after the break but failed to create any major chances.

The best opportunities fell to the hosts as Carrasco hit the post and Antoine Griezmann missed two golden opportunities to prevent a frantic finish.

Despite late Real Madrid pressure Atletico showed their defensive resilience and held on against this season’s champions – and the win leaves them six points clear of Real Betis in the race for fourth with three games remaining.

TALKING POINT – ATLETICO BUST DEFENSIVE MYTH

Diego Simeone’s side have a reputation for being defensively solid and they proved that again as Real Madrid threw everything at them late in the game as the visitors searched for an equaliser. However, this performance should be remembered for Atleti’s great attacking play. They suffocated the opposition in the first half via fantastic pressing and kept the ball in their attacking half for long periods. However, they lacked a creator to unlock the door but were eventually rewarded with a penalty. Despite Los Blancos upping the tempo after half time they still attacked well as the substitute Griezmann lit up the game with some great skill; he will feel he should’ve scored. It could’ve easily been more than 1-0.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Geoffery Kondogbia – Atletico Madrid

He was the heartbeat of the midfield, breaking up play so well, helping his side sustain attacks and he also proved useful in possession by playing some intelligent passes into the two strikers such as Matheus Cunha and Griezmann.As the end of the game approached and Atletico hoped to hang on, his defensive skills were again on show as he protected the back four well. A complete box-to-box midfield display.

PLAYER RATINGS

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 8, Vrasljko 7, Savic 8, Gimenez 8, Reinildo 8, Llorente 6, Koke 7, Kondogbia 9, Carrasco 8, Correa 6, Cunha 8. Subs: Griezmann 7, Felipe 7, De Paul 6, Lodi 6.

Real Madrid: Lunin 7, Vazquez 6, Militao 6, Vallejo 6, Nacho 8, Kroos 7, Casemiro 6, Camavinga 8, Rodrygo 6, Asensio 6, Jovic 5. Subs: Valverde 7, Vinicius 7, Modric 7, Mendy 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

39′ – PENALTY GIVEN – Correa runs through on goal and is sandwiched by Militao and Vallejo. The ref is heading to the VAR screen. The footage shows Vallejo stepping on Correa and it is a penalty to Atletico.

40′ – GOAL (CARRASCO) – Carrasco steps up for Atletico and breaks the deadlock. A big run up from the Belgian and he sends Lunin the wrong way.

78′ – OFF THE POST – Carrasco is through on goal. He again goes for the near post as he sits Lunin down by delaying his shot and it cannons off the woodwork. It’s not just Griezmann missing it’s contagious. How many opportunities do you want Atletico?

KEY STAT

Atletico Madrid have won the city derby for the first time since 2018.

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Atletico beat Real for derby bragging rights and boost Champions League qualification hopes

May 8, 2022

Atletico Madrid secured a vital win in their hunt for a top-four finish as they beat city rivals Real Madrid 1-0.

Carlo Ancelotti made seven changes from the side that completed an incredible comeback in the Champions League semi-final against Man City and his side were well off their best in the first half.

The hosts deservedly went ahead when Angel Correa ran through on goal and was tripped by Jesus Vallejo in the box. The referee went to the VAR monitor after initially waving away Atleti’s protests and gave a penalty. Yannick Carrasco stepped up and scored confidently, putting them ahead.

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The Liga champions improved after the break but failed to create any major chances.

The best opportunities fell to the hosts as Carrasco hit the post and Antoine Griezmann missed two golden opportunities to prevent a frantic finish.

Despite late Real Madrid pressure Atletico showed their defensive resilience and held on against this season’s champions – and the win leaves them six points clear of Real Betis in the race for fourth with three games remaining.

TALKING POINT – ATLETICO BUST DEFENSIVE MYTH

Diego Simeone’s side have a reputation for being defensively solid and they proved that again as Real Madrid threw everything at them late in the game as the visitors searched for an equaliser. However, this performance should be remembered for Atleti’s great attacking play. They suffocated the opposition in the first half via fantastic pressing and kept the ball in their attacking half for long periods. However, they lacked a creator to unlock the door but were eventually rewarded with a penalty. Despite Los Blancos upping the tempo after half time they still attacked well as the substitute Griezmann lit up the game with some great skill; he will feel he should’ve scored. It could’ve easily been more than 1-0.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Geoffery Kondogbia – Atletico Madrid

He was the heartbeat of the midfield, breaking up play so well, helping his side sustain attacks and he also proved useful in possession by playing some intelligent passes into the two strikers such as Matheus Cunha and Griezmann.As the end of the game approached and Atletico hoped to hang on, his defensive skills were again on show as he protected the back four well. A complete box-to-box midfield display.

PLAYER RATINGS

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 8, Vrasljko 7, Savic 8, Gimenez 8, Reinildo 8, Llorente 6, Koke 7, Kondogbia 9, Carrasco 8, Correa 6, Cunha 8. Subs: Griezmann 7, Felipe 7, De Paul 6, Lodi 6.

Real Madrid: Lunin 7, Vazquez 6, Militao 6, Vallejo 6, Nacho 8, Kroos 7, Casemiro 6, Camavinga 8, Rodrygo 6, Asensio 6, Jovic 5. Subs: Valverde 7, Vinicius 7, Modric 7, Mendy 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

39′ – PENALTY GIVEN – Correa runs through on goal and is sandwiched by Militao and Vallejo. The ref is heading to the VAR screen. The footage shows Vallejo stepping on Correa and it is a penalty to Atletico.

40′ – GOAL (CARRASCO) – Carrasco steps up for Atletico and breaks the deadlock. A big run up from the Belgian and he sends Lunin the wrong way.

78′ – OFF THE POST – Carrasco is through on goal. He again goes for the near post as he sits Lunin down by delaying his shot and it cannons off the woodwork. It’s not just Griezmann missing it’s contagious. How many opportunities do you want Atletico?

KEY STAT

Atletico Madrid have won the city derby for the first time since 2018.

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Champions League

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Injury-time Alba strike gifts Barcelona dramatic victory at Real Betis

May 7, 2022

Barcelona beat Real Betis 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp winner from Jordi Alba to confirm their place in the Champions League for next season.

In the 94th minute Dani Alves stood up a cross to the back post and Alba arrived to volley powerfully into the top corner with an unbelievable finish.

There was nothing to separate the two sides in the opening 45 minutes, both teams even hit the woodwork. Ronald Araujo’s bullet header was tipped onto the bar brilliantly by Rui Silva in the Betis goal.

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Soon after Guido Rodriguez unleashed a powerful low shot off the post.

Xavi’s side scored first and it was the substitute Ansu Fati who put them ahead. He had been on the field for just one minute before his shot wrong footed the goalkeeper after a great first touch showing the composure Barca were lacking for much of the game.

Betis responded quickly however, as ex-Barcelona man Marc Bartra climbed highest at a corner and headed in.

Both teams had a few chances to win it towards the end of the game and it looked to be heading to a draw before Alba’s goal sparked jubilant scenes.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are now three points behind Atletico Madrid in fourth as they look to join Barca in the Champions League for the first time since 2005.

TALKING POINT – XAVI IS RE-BUILDING BARCA

When Ronald Koeman left the club the Catalan giants were in disarray. They were poor on the pitch and had financial issues off it. They called upon legendary player Xavi to guide them out of this mess and so he has done. Tonight, they have sealed a Champions League place that will be huge for attracting top players over the summer and for earning money.

Barca have some young stars in their team like Araujo and Gavi as well as quality via the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alba and Sergio Busquets, so adding to that spine will be vital. There is nothing stopping Barca going back to competing with Real Madrid for the La Liga title next season, especially when they are able to find ways of winning matches when they don’t play their best against tough opponents like Betis.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ronald Araujo – Barcelona: The Uruguayan centre-back was up against a tough customer in the form of Borja Iglesias and he dealt with him superbly. It was a great physical battle and Araujo restricted the striker to a few notable touches. Araujo was unlucky not to score when his header looked to be flying in only to be denied by a great save. Also, he made an outstanding recovery tackle to deny the in-form Juanmi from getting a strike on goal as he was 1 vs 1 with the keeper.

PLAYER RATINGS

Real Betis: Bravo 6, Sabaly 7, Pezzella 7, Bartra 7, Moreno 7, Rodriguez 8, Guardado 7, Canales 7, Fekir 7, Juanmi 6, Iglesias 6. Subs: Silva 7, Carvalho 6, Rodri 6.

Barcelona: Neto 6, Alves 8, Araujo 9, Garcia 7, Alba 8, Busquets 8, Gavi 7, De Jong 6, Torres 5, Dembele 7, Depay 5. Subs: Aubameyang 6, Traore 6, Fati 8, Puiq 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

76’ – GOAL (FATI) – He has only just come on – Ansu Fati scores. He has the composure to control the ball so well from the left. Takes a touch out of his feet and unleashes a shot that wrong-foots the ‘keeper.

78’ – GOAL (BARTRA) – The former Barca man – it’s Bartra. A simple corner in from Fekir and it’s off the shoulder of Bartra.

90+4’ – GOAL (ALBA) – What a goal – astonishing! Alves crosses to the back stick and Alba volleys it at the back post into the roof of the net. That’s a rocket.

KEY STAT

13 of Ansu Fati’s 19 Barca goals were scored in the opening 20 minutes of his appearance.

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Injury-time Alba strike gifts Barcelona dramatic victory at Real Betis

May 7, 2022

Barcelona beat Real Betis 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp winner from Jordi Alba to confirm their place in the Champions League for next season.

In the 94th minute Dani Alves stood up a cross to the back post and Alba arrived to volley powerfully into the top corner with an unbelievable finish.

There was nothing to separate the two sides in the opening 45 minutes, both teams even hit the woodwork. Ronald Araujo’s bullet header was tipped onto the bar brilliantly by Rui Silva in the Betis goal.

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Rare Busquets strike seals Barca win against relegation-threatened Real Mallorca

01/05/2022 AT 18:02

Soon after Guido Rodriguez unleashed a powerful low shot off the post.

Xavi’s side scored first and it was the substitute Ansu Fati who put them ahead. He had been on the field for just one minute before his shot wrong footed the goalkeeper after a great first touch showing the composure Barca were lacking for much of the game.

Betis responded quickly however, as ex-Barcelona man Marc Bartra climbed highest at a corner and headed in.

Both teams had a few chances to win it towards the end of the game and it looked to be heading to a draw before Alba’s goal sparked jubilant scenes.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are now three points behind Atletico Madrid in fourth as they look to join Barca in the Champions League for the first time since 2005.

TALKING POINT – XAVI IS RE-BUILDING BARCA

When Ronald Koeman left the club the Catalan giants were in disarray. They were poor on the pitch and had financial issues off it. They called upon legendary player Xavi to guide them out of this mess and so he has done. Tonight, they have sealed a Champions League place that will be huge for attracting top players over the summer and for earning money.

Barca have some young stars in their team like Araujo and Gavi as well as quality via the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alba and Sergio Busquets, so adding to that spine will be vital. There is nothing stopping Barca going back to competing with Real Madrid for the La Liga title next season, especially when they are able to find ways of winning matches when they don’t play their best against tough opponents like Betis.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ronald Araujo – Barcelona: The Uruguayan centre-back was up against a tough customer in the form of Borja Iglesias and he dealt with him superbly. It was a great physical battle and Araujo restricted the striker to a few notable touches. Araujo was unlucky not to score when his header looked to be flying in only to be denied by a great save. Also, he made an outstanding recovery tackle to deny the in-form Juanmi from getting a strike on goal as he was 1 vs 1 with the keeper.

PLAYER RATINGS

Real Betis: Bravo 6, Sabaly 7, Pezzella 7, Bartra 7, Moreno 7, Rodriguez 8, Guardado 7, Canales 7, Fekir 7, Juanmi 6, Iglesias 6. Subs: Silva 7, Carvalho 6, Rodri 6.

Barcelona: Neto 6, Alves 8, Araujo 9, Garcia 7, Alba 8, Busquets 8, Gavi 7, De Jong 6, Torres 5, Dembele 7, Depay 5. Subs: Aubameyang 6, Traore 6, Fati 8, Puiq 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

76’ – GOAL (FATI) – He has only just come on – Ansu Fati scores. He has the composure to control the ball so well from the left. Takes a touch out of his feet and unleashes a shot that wrong-foots the ‘keeper.

78’ – GOAL (BARTRA) – The former Barca man – it’s Bartra. A simple corner in from Fekir and it’s off the shoulder of Bartra.

90+4’ – GOAL (ALBA) – What a goal – astonishing! Alves crosses to the back stick and Alba volleys it at the back post into the roof of the net. That’s a rocket.

KEY STAT

13 of Ansu Fati’s 19 Barca goals were scored in the opening 20 minutes of his appearance.

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