The big two met at the culmination of the Supercopa tournament in Riyadh while the rest of the league got on with the day-to-day back in Spain. Here’s our round-up of the most significant matches from the weekend.
By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert
Barcelona beat Madrid in the Supercopa
Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-1 in Riyadh on Sunday to win the Supercopa de España, their first trophy under Xavi, and perhaps the start of a new era for the Catalan club after three difficult years.
Gavi got a goal and two assists and a superb showing on the left of midfield, Robert Lewandowski scored for the first time in El Clásico and Pedri netted the third in a one-sided contest. Thibaut Courtois spared Real Madrid from further damage with some important saves and Karim Benzema grabbed a late consolation. But this was all about Barça.
“The team is together, united: we are a family,” defender Ronald Araújo said. “I think it’s something very special because it’s the start of a new era.” And Xavi agreed. “I’m very happy with the players because, ever since I have been here, they want to win and they are working to achieve that,” he said. “We are creating a team and I hope it’s the first of many [trophies].”
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti will need to find solutions after a dismal display from his side. “We have to learn,” he said. “It’s a difficult moment. We knew before the match that we were not at our best. We have to prepare for the next match and move on. This match showed some weaknesses.”
In LaLiga, Madrid are three points behind Barça with 16 games played each. With those two absent at the weekend, as well as Valencia and Real Betis following their participation in the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia, there was a reduced programme in Spain’s top flight.
Real Sociedad win Basque Derby
Real Sociedad came out on top in the Basque derby at the Reale Arena, cementing their third place in the table with a deserved 3-1 after first-half goals from Alexander Sørloth and Take Kubo and a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty following a foul and red card for Yeray Álvarez with just over an hour gone.
Imanol Alguacil’s side have won 11 of their 17 matches in LaLiga this season and moved seven points clear of Atlético Madrid in fourth after the Rojiblancos were held to a 1-1 draw at Almería.
“I feel a tremendous emotion and total enjoyment watching the team, the fans, looking at the third place in the table,” Alguacil said after the derby. “When I was a boy, I would go to bed angry and wouldn’t speak to anyone when la Real lost. Today has been [all about] enjoyment.” No doubt the fans can identify with those words.
Two more points dropped for Atlético
Atlético Madrid’s inconsistent form continued with that disappointment at Almería. Diego Simeone’s side took the lead through Ángel Correa, but were pegged back by an El Bilal Touré effort later in the first half and went on to miss a number of clear chances on another frustrating day in front of goal.
“We have the feeling that we lost two points,” Simeone said afterwards. “But the goals will come.”
Atlético are fourth, level on points with Villarreal (held 1-1 at Celta Vigo) in fifth and Betis in sixth, the latter with a game in hand after missing the latest round of matches due to their participation in the Supercopa.
Sevilla still in big trouble
Sevilla remain in big trouble after a 2-1 defeat away to Girona. Jorge Sampaoli’s side had beaten Getafe the previous weekend and looked to be on course for another positive result following Tanguy Nianzou’s towering header in the first half at Montilivi, but defensive frailties soon returned.
Girona equalised within a minute of the restart through the evergreen Cristhian Stuani and the Catalans took all three points following a terrible mix-up at the back with two minutes left, when Nianzou lost the ball in his own half and allowed Yangel Herrera in to score the winner.
“I’m not blaming anyone, but we can’t have any more individual mistakes,” Ivan Rakitić said after the game. And Nianzou was self-critical. “I have to improve in certain areas, especially in terms of concentration,” he said. Sampaoli saw no positives, either. “A defeat leaves you with nothing,” he said. “We have to keep working.”
With 17 games played, Sevilla sit in 19th, two points behind 17th-placed Real Valladolid and one adrift of their next opponent Cadíz. That all-Andalusian clash next weekend already looks like a big one.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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