Join us as we assess the current situation heading into a busy week of LaLiga action that will see both Barcelona and Real Madrid play two important games.
By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert
Barça extend lead at the top
Barcelona wore a new Senyera shirt for Saturday’s Catalan derby away to Girona and came away from Montilivi with all three points. But without the suspended Robert Lewandowski, Xavi’s side struggled to make the breakthrough. And after it finally arrived, they struggled to hang onto their advantage too.
Pedri, making his 100th competitive appearance for Barcelona at just 20 years old, popped up at the far post to poke home the game’s only goal after 61 minutes. Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga should really have cut out Jordi Alba’s cross, but the Argentine made minimal contact with the ball and that mistake allowed Pedri a simple finish.
Girona pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages and substitute Iván Martín missed a glorious opportunity as he side-footed wide from an unmarked position six yards from goal in the 87th minute.
Lewandowski’s three-match suspension is now complete and without the Polish striker, Barcelona have won their last three games by a single goal: 1-0 victories over Atlético Madrid, Getafe and now Girona.
“I’m satisfied,” Xavi said after the game. “But we have to create more in attack.” With Lewandowski back for the game against Real Betis on Wednesday, it should be easier.
The bad news for Barcelona was an injury to winger Ousmane Dembélé, who could be out for a number of weeks. The good news? Xavi’s side extended their lead at the top to five points.
Real Madrid held by Real Sociedad
Real Madrid produced perhaps one of their better recent performances against Real Sociedad on Sunday, but Los Blancos could not find a way through against the in-form Basque side.
Vinícius Júnior saw several good chances come and go as Carlo Ancelotti’s side were forced to settle for a point at the Santiago Bernabéu, which leaves them five behind Barcelona with 18 games played apiece. Real Sociedad are just three further back in third, having completed one more match than the two Clásico rivals.
“We played really well,” Ancelotti said afterwards. “We deserved to win. The team are improving, they are growing.” But so too is the gap at the top.
Madrid had come through a tough derby against Atlético in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, plus extra time, but Ancelotti was not interested in using that as an excuse. “We played at our limit for 90 minutes, with great intensity,” he said. Thursday’s extra time didn’t show.”
Asked if Real Sociedad could be title contenders, the Italian replied: “They compete really well, but it seems a bit too soon [for them] to win the league.” For his part, La Real coach Imanol Alguacil said: “It’s a point that almost feels like a win. We played a great match.”
Madrid are now at home to Valencia on Thursday as the teams involved in the recent Supercopa make up the matches they missed while away in Saudi Arabia.
Atlético win in Pamplona
Saúl Ñíguez latched onto a ball from deep played by Rodrigo de Paul to score for Atlético Madrid against Osasuna just over 15 minutes from the end of a fiery encounter at El Sadar.
The midfielder’s strike was the only goal of the game, despite chances for both teams, with Diego Simeone’s side probably deserved winners in the end.
It was a positive reaction by Atlético after they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by city rivals Real Madrid on Thursday night, ending their hopes of winning a trophy this season.
“We’re out of the Champions [League] and out of the Copa [Rey], but the motivation is to play for Atlético,” Simeone said. “As long as I am here, I will demand that.”
The Rojiblancos remain in fourth place, five points behind Real Sociedad and three ahead of Villarreal, beaten 1-0 at home to Rayo Vallecano on Monday night. Betis are also three adrift after beating Getafe with a late penalty at the weekend. The Andalusians have played one fewer fixture than Atleti, but their game in hand is a difficult one – against leaders Barcelona on Wednesday.
Williams’ record run ends, Elche still haven’t won
For the first time since April 2016, Iñaki Williams was not involved for Athletic Club in a LaLiga fixture. The 28-year-old forward missed the trip to Celta Vigo with a hamstring injury, bringing to an end his remarkable run of 251 straight appearances for the Basque outfit in LaLiga. His record may never be broken. Without him, Ernesto Valverde’s side lost 1-0 at Balaidos.
Down at the lower end of the table, Sevilla beat Elche 3-0 at the Sánchez Pizjuán to climb to the relative safety of 13th place in the table. Although still inconsistent, Jorge Sampaoli’s side have won their last two home games and should move clear of danger now. Meanwhile, Elche remain rooted to the bottom with six points and no wins at the halfway stage. It’s a long way back from there.
Valencia were beaten 1-0 by Real Valladolid right at the death on Sunday and worse was to follow as coach Gennaro Gattuso walked out on Monday. The ever-reliable Voro now takes temporary charge for the eighth (!!) time at Mestalla.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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