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Barcelona stored up their pursuit of leaders Real Madrid within the La Liga title race by beating metropolis rivals Espanyol 1-Zero at dwelling on Wednesday, additionally condemning their neighbours to relegation from the highest flight.
Luis Suarez struck the one aim of the sport within the 56th minute, lashing a unfastened ball into the online for his 195th aim with Barca which took him previous Hungarian Laszlo Kubala as the membership’s third high scorer of all time.
The aim got here shortly after each side had been diminished to 10 males in a frantic begin to the second half.
Barca’s teenage ahead Ansu Fati was despatched off for a reckless deal with 5 minutes after coming off the bench however Espanyol’s numerical benefit lasted solely three minutes as Pol Lozano was dismissed, additionally following a VAR overview.
Barca, chasing a 3rd consecutive Spanish title, are on 76 factors after 35 video games whereas Real Madrid are high with 77 and might restore their four-point benefit after they host Alaves on Friday.
Espanyol, certainly one of Spain’s most prestigious golf equipment, have been relegated for the primary time since profitable promotion again to La Liga in 1994. They are backside of the desk on 24 factors after 35 video games.
Barca had produced certainly one of their greatest performances of the season by hammering Villarreal 4-1 away on Sunday however they appeared sluggish at an empty Camp Nou, which usually would have been in full voice on derby day.
“We knew how difficult this game would be because of Espanyol’s situation and we were tired from Sunday’s game and we played with less intensity,” Suarez mentioned.
“But the important thing is that we won the game and picked up more points.”
Espanyol annoyed their extra illustrious neighbours within the first half with a five-man defence and created the higher probabilities.
Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to remember to stop his staff mate Clement Lenglet from scoring an personal aim simply earlier than halftime and Espanyol’s Didac Vila fired the unfastened ball towards the put up.
Ter Stegen had additionally come to Barca’s rescue earlier, spreading his physique and protecting out a low strike from Adri Embarba along with his leg.
“We did not play well today,” Barca coach Quique Setien mentioned.
“Their defensive shape made life very difficult for us as they were very tight and compact and we weren’t precise enough to find a way around it.”
Barca discovered a manner by way of with the assistance of their three forwards, as Antoine Griezmann raced to the byline and handed to Lionel Messi whose shot deflected into the trail of Suarez and the Uruguayan made no mistake.
Suarez now solely trails the late Cesar, who netted 232 objectives for Barca and record-holder Messi who has scored 630 for the membership.
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