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Real Madrid slumped to a 2-1 loss at residence to Alaves in La Liga on Saturday as metropolis rivals Atletico moved stage with leaders Real Sociedad after extending their successful run to 6 matches. Lucas Perez scored a fifth-minute penalty at Alfredo di Stefano stadium and Joselu added a second simply after half-time following an terrible mistake by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Casemiro gave Real a lifeline on 86 minutes however Alaves held on for a victory that lifted them to ninth. Madrid stay in fourth place and 6 factors behind Real Sociedad and Diego Simeone’s Atletico.
“I don’t have any explanations,” mentioned Real coach Zinedine Zidane, whose facet adopted a formidable 2-Zero midweek win at Inter Milan by shedding for the third time in 10 league video games this season.
“We alternate between good and bad moments. The other day in Milan we played a good match, and today, three days later, we put in a display like that at home.”
“It was our worst start to a match this season,” he added. “We can’t change the flow of the match. It bothers me, and the players too I think. The problem we have right now is consistency.”
After a minute’s silence in honour of Diego Maradona, in step with the poignant tributes round Spain this weekend following the demise of the Argentine legend, Real quickly fell behind when Nacho dealt with at a nook.
Perez powered the spot-kick past Courtois to provide Alaves the lead, and the ahead ought to have struck a second when he was performed clear via, his tried chip fantastically swatted apart by the Real ‘keeper.
Madrid’s night time went from unhealthy to worse when Eden Hazard was compelled off on 28 minutes after taking a knock, the most recent in a protracted checklist of damage setbacks for the Belgium star.
While a terrific double save by Fernando Pacheco denied Toni Kroos, a howler from Courtois offered Joselu with the second purpose on 49 minutes when a wayward cross went straight to the ahead who steered residence from 30 yards.
Mariano Diaz’s header was cleared off the road earlier than Casemiro tapped in from shut vary after Pacheco stored out Vinicius Junior’s effort, however Alaves clung on as Isco clipped the bar with the ultimate kick.
Earlier within the day, Atletico edged a decent contest at Valencia 1-Zero that stretched their unbeaten league run to 25 matches.
They keep second however are equal on 23 factors with Sociedad with a sport in hand due to Toni Lato’s personal purpose 11 minutes from time.
Stingy Atletico have conceded simply twice of their 9 league matches to date this season and have solely scored two lower than La Liga high scorers Sociedad, who host third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
“We have made huge progress since April, since that wonderful match at Liverpool,” mentioned Simeone, referring to the Champions League last-16 tie his workforce gained 4-2 on combination.
“The return to La Liga (after the first lockdown) was very good and the team was already starting to show encouraging signs. This is the result of the progression of all of the players.”
Simeone applauded his former teammate and buddy Maradona whereas groups held a minute’s silence earlier than kick-off.
Barcelona are 12 factors again in 14th place, though they host Osasuna in Sunday’s early match and can nonetheless have two video games in hand on Sociedad come the tip of the weekend.
Sevilla honour Maradona
Atletico will face European champions Bayern Munich within the Champions League on Tuesday hoping to succeed in the knockout levels with a match to spare.
They would be a part of Sevilla, who certified for the final 16 this week and are as much as fifth after a 1-Zero win at relegation strugglers Huesca.
Youssef En-Nesyri gained the factors for Sevilla after nipping in on the close to put up to faucet in Lucas Ocampos’ low pull-back with seven minutes remaining in a match dominated by the reigning Europa League champions.
Julen Lopetegui’s facet are one level behind Real Madrid as they chase a high 4 spot and a return to Europe’s elite competitors for subsequent season.
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There was additionally a tribute to former Sevilla participant Maradona, who signed for the Andalusian membership in 1992 after the tip of a protracted medicine ban which hastened his exit from Napoli. He stayed one season earlier than returning to Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys.
A minute’s silence was held earlier than kick-off by which the Sevilla gamers wore shirts with Maradona’s quantity 10 on the again whereas the track ‘My Dear Buenos Aires’ performed over the loudspeaker.
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