Ahead of the weekend action in Spain’s top flight here’s a recap of a bizarre set of results in the round of games played midweek.
By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert
No points record for Barça
Barcelona remain 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga after both teams lost in midweek, but the Catalans can no longer make it into three figures following their 2-1 defeat away to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Xavi’s side had only conceded nine times in the league all season, but Álvaro García made it 10 and Fran García 11 as Rayo went 2-0 up at Vallecas and held on despite a late Robert Lewandowski effort to condemn the Blaugrana to just their third loss in the competition in 2022-23. And it means the record points total – the 100 set by José Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2011-12 and Tito Vilanova’s Barça the following season – is now out of reach.
“If we look on the positive side, the distance is the same,” Xavi said after the match. “But we didn’t play a good game. We weren’t comfortable. They were aggressive, intense, and they didn’t let us play.”
Despite the loss, Barça need only 11 points from their final seven fixtures to be confirmed as champions. Xavi’s side have had a blip, though, picking up just five points from their last four games. “We are not in a negative dynamic,” he said. “But nothing is done. LaLiga is not over.”
Since winning promotion, Rayo have taken 10 out of 12 points off Barcelona in their four meetings over the past two campaigns. “Very happy to beat Barça,” coach Ander Iraola said. “But above all, for the 43 points that ensure there will be another Rayo-Barça next season.”
Real Madrid hit for four in Girona
Girona striker Taty Castellanos had been in tears after missing an easy chance against Barcelona earlier in April and even deleted his social media accounts due to the abuse he received, but the Argentine had an unforgettable night against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Castellanos scored all four of Girona’s goals in an amazing 4-2 win for the Catalans at Montilivi and is only the fifth player in history to net a ‘poker’ against Real Madrid.
Vinícius Júnior scored for Madrid with Los Blancos 2-0 down and Lucas Vázquez grabbed a late goal to avoid a three-goal defeat for the visitors, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were well beaten on the night.
“It was a hard night,” the Italian said. “To lose like that. On a defensive level, it was a very bad game. That was the key. Today the team didn’t play and we tried to pick it with individuals. But it was a bad level in all respects. The team was nervous.”
“We knew what we wanted to do, we were brave,” Girona coach Michel said. “Today it all came together. The players deserve a win like this.” The Catalans should be safe now with 41 points, two behind Rayo, in 10th place.
Atlético could catch Real
Atlético Madrid beat Mallorca 3-1 at the Metropolitano on the night of their 120th anniversary and the Rojiblancos are now just two points behind city rivals Real with seven games left to play.
Wearing a special blue-and-white commemorative shirt, Atlético went behind to a Matija Nastasić header following a corner early on, but goals from Rodrigo de Paul, Álvaro Morata and Yannick Carrasco secured a comfortable win for Diego Simeone’s side. The Spain striker’s effort was a fine header, while the Belgian ran half the pitch in a breakaway attack following a great pass from Antoine Griezmann. The team’s upturn in form since January, interrupted briefly by a narrow defeat against Barça at the weekend, continues.
“I’m proud of the way we have turned things around since the World Cup,” Simeone said. And on the atmosphere at the stadium on a special night for Atleti, he said: “It was wonderful. To feel this club, you have to understand it.”
Huge win for Valencia
When Valencia went behind early on at home to Real Valladolid following a comical error by Mouctar Diakhaby, their fans must have feared the worst. But the defender later equalised with a header that goalkeeper Jordi Masip thought was going wide and in added time, 19-year-old academy player Javi Guerra won it at Mestalla with a superb solo goal.
“Mestalla’s magic pushed us and the end was tremendous,” coach Rubén Baraja said afterwards. It was Valencia’s second win in a row and sees the club move out of the relegation zone, two points clear of 18th-placed Getafe. The Madrid side, beaten 2-1 at home by Almería and back in danger after two straight defeats, have since parted company with coach Quique Sanchez Flores.
Meanwhile, Sevilla are up to 11th after an excellent 1-0 win at Athletic Club on Thursday. Lucas Ocampos’ penalty in added time sealed the victory, a first ever for their coach José Luis Mendilibar at San Mames in 13 attempts. The Basque has led Sevilla to five wins and two draws since taking over from Jorge Sampaoli and with 41 points now, the Andalusians are staying up.
Another matchday starts on Friday…
And there is barely a break as the next round of matches starts this Friday with Osasuna in eighth at home to fourth-placed Real Sociedad. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are in action on Saturday: Los Blancos at home to Almería and Barcelona against Real Betis at Camp Nou. Atlético are away to Valladolid on Sunday.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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