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Lionel Messi’s Barcelona suffered a fourth La Liga defeat of the season as they went down 2-1 to Cadiz on Saturday, whereas Real Madrid eased the stress on Zinedine Zidane with their first league win since October. Barca at the moment are a distant seventh, 12 factors off leaders Atletico Madrid, who beat Real Valladolid 2-0. “It’s a gigantic step backwards for our chances to fight for La Liga, you have to see it like that,” the Catalans’ coach Ronald Koeman stated. “A points difference of 12 points with a team as strong as Atletico is enormous,” he added.
Koeman made three modifications from the midweek Champions League win at Ferencvaros with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen coming in for Neto.
But Ter Stegen made a primary expensive error in Andalusia after eight minutes as Alvaro Gimenez claimed his second aim in as many video games.
The Barca defence didn’t clear a nook which fell to Ter Stegen, however his weak parry onto his personal line was tapped in by Gimenez.
Koeman’s males have been all-square after 56 minutes as Jordi Alba’s low cross was deflected into his personal aim by defender Pedro Alcala.
But Ter Stegen’s second expensive error got here eight minutes later.
Clement Lenglet made a hash of Alba’s throw in earlier than Ter Stegen didn’t clear beneath stress from Negredo and the previous Manchester City striker claimed his third aim league aim of the marketing campaign.
‘Difficult time’
Under-pressure Zidane stated Madrid’s scrappy 1-Zero victory in Seville was vital after a testing run of outcomes.
Sevilla goalkeeper Bono guided Vinicius Junior’s effort into his personal internet within the second half, permitting Zidane’s aspect to take the three factors and transfer as much as third within the desk, six factors behind Atletico.
Following two defeats prior to now three video games, together with a 2-Zero defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek that leaves Real’s Champions League qualification hopes within the steadiness, Spanish press reviews have linked former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and ex-Madrid ahead Raul to Zidane’s job.
Zidane stated he was glad with the factors after a “difficult” time.
“These are three very important points for us. It’s a well-deserved win, against a very good opponent, who can put you in trouble at any time. We got through this,” he stated.
“It has been a bit difficult lately, today we have to enjoy it, be happy, but nothing more.”
Atletico, now unbeaten in 26 video games in La Liga, moved to the highest of the desk after France worldwide Thomas Lemar and Spain midfielder Marcos Llorente scored for Diego Simeone’s males towards Valladolid.
Promoted
Atletico are amongst 5 golf equipment to stay with no home defeat in Europe’s predominant 5 leagues because the begin of the season.
Real Sociedad, who’ve misplaced simply as soon as within the league this time period, might regain the lead in the event that they beat Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.
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