The action continued for the majority of the top clubs in Spain, and there was positive news for most, while Real Madrid were away winning another major trophy. We’ll review all of the weekend’s top stories here.
By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert
Barcelona go 11 points clear at the top
Barcelona have moved provisionally 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga after beating Villarreal 1-0 at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Sunday night. Pedri’s first-half goal was the winner for the Catalan club as a strong defence once again proved key.
This was Barça’s 16th clean sheet in 21 LaLiga games this season and although there have been some shaky moments, that is an impressive stat, and one which goes a long way to explaining their superiority in the competition.
Pedri’s goal came after a lovely one-two with Robert Lewandowski and the young Spain star has been responsible for 10 points for Barcelona all on his own in LaLiga this season. “He’s at a very high level,” Xavi said.
At the back, Ronald Araújo was also at a high level in perhaps his best-ever game for Barcelona. “He’s an extraordinary defender, a great corrector,” Xavi said. “He has improved on the ball more than anyone else in the team.”
Barcelona created more overall but Villarreal also had a couple of very good chances and saw a late effort ruled out for a clear offside. “I think the fairest thing would have been a draw,” coach Quique Setien said.
Real Madrid win Club World Cup
Real Madrid’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup meant there was no LaLiga fixture for Los Blancos at the weekend. Instead, the European champions faced Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in Morocco and claimed the trophy courtesy of a 5-3 win.
Vinicíus Júnior and Fede Valverde scored two apiece, with Karim Benzema also on target as Madrid made it five FIFA Club World Cups in eight editions. Carlo Ancelotti has been in charge for two of those and this was a ninth trophy in total for the Italian as Real coach.
“We are improving and this title will give us a boost to fight for everything that is left, which is what we are going to do,” Ancelotti said after the match.
The 63-year-old also reiterated his hopes of staying at Madrid, having dismissed reports last week that he will become Brazil’s coach at the end of the season. “I won’t leave here until they kick me out!” he said.
Madrid’s Champions League last-16 first-leg meeting with Liverpool does not take place this week, so Los Blancos will play their outstanding LaLiga fixture at home to Elche on Wednesday night.
Depay off the mark for Atlético with late winner
Memphis Depay’s first goal since signing for Atlético Madrid from Barcelona in January gave the Rojiblancos a smash-and grab victory at Balaidos on Sunday, but Celta Vigo will wonder how they lost it.
The Galicians did everything but score as Iago Aspas crashed a free-kick against the bar and Jan Oblak somehow got back to clear the ball off the line after he had allowed another shot from the Spain striker to slip through his grasp.
Atlético were also on the back foot after a Stefan Savić red card late in the game, but went on to win as substitute Depay span and scuffed an effort into the net after 89 minutes to claim all three points for the visitors.
“We weren’t as precise as we wanted to be, but the team reacted [after the red card] and we played the game we had to play,” Simeone said.
Meanwhile, Celta’s Haris Seferovic summed up the home side’s frustrations. “We played a good game in attack and defence,” he said. “But luck wasn’t on our side.”
Real Sociedad get back to winning ways
After three games without a win (two in LaLiga), Real Sociedad were back on song at Espanyol in the competition’s Monday night match, beating the Barcelona-based club 3-2 at the RCDE Stadium.
The Basques completely dominated for the opening hour or so and went 3-0 up through Take Kubo, Alexander Sørloth and a Leandro Cabrera own goal. That last one was unfortunate for Espanyol, but Real Sociedad could have been out of sight by that point.
Espanyol did pull two back late on through Sergi Darder and Brian Oliván, but many of their fans had already left by then.
Real Sociedad are third, four ahead of Atlético in fourth, with Real Betis another four further back in fifth after beating Almería 3-2. Rayo Vallecano fall a place to sixth after a 1-1 draw at Getafe.
Valencia drop in to the bottom three as fans protest
Perhaps the biggest story of all came at Mestalla, where Valencia fans staged a mass protest outside the ground on Saturday night against owner Peter Lim ahead of their game against Athletic Club.
Thousands of supporters took part in the demonstration and fans inside the stadium later voiced their discontent as well following a series of catastrophic seasons under the ownership of the Singaporean businessman.
Valencia took the lead against Athletic through Samu Castillejo, but goals from Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet saw Athletic clinch victory and condemned the home side to a sixth defeat in seven matches.
The other game in that sequence was a draw, meaning Valencia have just a point from 21 since the World Cup break and that run leaves the club in the drop zone, with relegation now a very real threat.
“I feel strong,” interim coach Voro said after the match. “I’m clear about what the team needs.” Meanwhile, Valencia are reportedly set to appoint a new full-time manager this week. Tough job.
(Images from IMAGO)
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