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MADRID: Barcelona received 1-0 at backside aspect Huesca on Sunday as Lionel Messi grew to become the primary foreigner to make 500 appearances in Spain’s La Liga, whereas a late Luis Suarez objective secured leaders Atletico Madrid victory in opposition to Alaves.
Messi returned for Barca after lacking the ultimate recreation of 2020 with an ankle knock and swung in a cross for Frenkie de Jong to divert dwelling for the one objective on 27 minutes.
Though Ronald Koeman‘s aspect started a probably season-defining run of 4 consecutive away matches with a snug win, they continue to be a distant 10 factors behind Atletico in fifth having performed a recreation extra.
“Usually, except for the final 20 minutes we performed effectively,” mentioned Koeman.
“We created loads of hazard, which is not simple in opposition to a group that shuts up on the again. We acquired an ideal objective and we had two or three extra possibilities to tug away.”
Barca dominated possession and created a lot of possibilities however Huesca goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez produced a number of tremendous saves to maintain the hosts in contact.
After De Jong’s opener Messi was denied a second simply earlier than half-time when Fernandez fantastically clawed away his free-kick heading in the direction of the highest nook.
The Argentine was once more thwarted by the legs of Fernandez within the second half after combining effectively with Pedri, moments after Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacted sharply to maintain out Rafa Mir’s ingenious back-heel.
That was a uncommon risk from Huesca who’ve now received simply as soon as in 17 tries this season however had taken factors off most guests to their Estadio El Alcoraz to date, together with Atletico in September.
“We got here out sturdy and really concentrated. It is the primary base we’d like. If we now have that, we enhance rather a lot with the ball and if we get higher in entrance of objective then we will have an excellent begin to the yr,” added Koeman.
Earlier within the day, Suarez struck a Ninetieth-minute winner for Atletico as they defeated 10-man Alaves 2-1 to maneuver again above Actual Madrid on the high.
Marcos Llorente gave Atletico the lead at Mendizorroza shortly earlier than half-time with a deflected strike from simply outdoors the world.
Diego Simeone’s aspect appeared to have the sport underneath management when Alaves defender Victor Laguardia was despatched off on the hour following a VAR evaluate for chopping down Thomas Lemar because the Frenchman ran in the direction of objective.
Florian Lejeune headed in opposition to the submit for Alaves earlier than a spectacular personal objective on 84 minutes from Felipe threatened to value Atletico two very important factors, the Brazilian centre-back drilling past Jan Oblak as he tried to hack clear an tried cross.
Nevertheless, Suarez secured Atletico’s fourth consecutive win within the last minute because the Uruguayan tapped in from shut vary after the ball was slotted throughout objective by substitute Joao Felix.
“The very best factor is how the group completed, not getting nervous, simply enjoying. And the objective was an ideal objective,” mentioned Simeone.
Atletico climbed two factors away from Actual Madrid and have two video games in hand on the defending champions.
“The takeaway from that is to proceed on the identical path,” added Simeone.
Athletic Bilbao sacked coach Gaizka Garitano following a 1-0 dwelling win over Elche, with reviews in Spain linking former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde to the vacant job.
Actual Sociedad misplaced extra floor on the highest two after they may solely handle a 1-1 draw at dwelling to struggling Osasuna, whereas teenager Bryan Gil scored each targets in Eibar’s 2-0 defeat of Granada.
Messi returned for Barca after lacking the ultimate recreation of 2020 with an ankle knock and swung in a cross for Frenkie de Jong to divert dwelling for the one objective on 27 minutes.
Though Ronald Koeman‘s aspect started a probably season-defining run of 4 consecutive away matches with a snug win, they continue to be a distant 10 factors behind Atletico in fifth having performed a recreation extra.
“Usually, except for the final 20 minutes we performed effectively,” mentioned Koeman.
“We created loads of hazard, which is not simple in opposition to a group that shuts up on the again. We acquired an ideal objective and we had two or three extra possibilities to tug away.”
Barca dominated possession and created a lot of possibilities however Huesca goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez produced a number of tremendous saves to maintain the hosts in contact.
After De Jong’s opener Messi was denied a second simply earlier than half-time when Fernandez fantastically clawed away his free-kick heading in the direction of the highest nook.
The Argentine was once more thwarted by the legs of Fernandez within the second half after combining effectively with Pedri, moments after Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacted sharply to maintain out Rafa Mir’s ingenious back-heel.
That was a uncommon risk from Huesca who’ve now received simply as soon as in 17 tries this season however had taken factors off most guests to their Estadio El Alcoraz to date, together with Atletico in September.
“We got here out sturdy and really concentrated. It is the primary base we’d like. If we now have that, we enhance rather a lot with the ball and if we get higher in entrance of objective then we will have an excellent begin to the yr,” added Koeman.
Earlier within the day, Suarez struck a Ninetieth-minute winner for Atletico as they defeated 10-man Alaves 2-1 to maneuver again above Actual Madrid on the high.
Marcos Llorente gave Atletico the lead at Mendizorroza shortly earlier than half-time with a deflected strike from simply outdoors the world.
Diego Simeone’s aspect appeared to have the sport underneath management when Alaves defender Victor Laguardia was despatched off on the hour following a VAR evaluate for chopping down Thomas Lemar because the Frenchman ran in the direction of objective.
Florian Lejeune headed in opposition to the submit for Alaves earlier than a spectacular personal objective on 84 minutes from Felipe threatened to value Atletico two very important factors, the Brazilian centre-back drilling past Jan Oblak as he tried to hack clear an tried cross.
Nevertheless, Suarez secured Atletico’s fourth consecutive win within the last minute because the Uruguayan tapped in from shut vary after the ball was slotted throughout objective by substitute Joao Felix.
“The very best factor is how the group completed, not getting nervous, simply enjoying. And the objective was an ideal objective,” mentioned Simeone.
Atletico climbed two factors away from Actual Madrid and have two video games in hand on the defending champions.
“The takeaway from that is to proceed on the identical path,” added Simeone.
Athletic Bilbao sacked coach Gaizka Garitano following a 1-0 dwelling win over Elche, with reviews in Spain linking former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde to the vacant job.
Actual Sociedad misplaced extra floor on the highest two after they may solely handle a 1-1 draw at dwelling to struggling Osasuna, whereas teenager Bryan Gil scored each targets in Eibar’s 2-0 defeat of Granada.
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