FC Barcelona took another step closer to
reclaiming the LaLiga title during a weekend’s
action in which the top four sides all won, and
Levante got a much needed victory under new
coach Paco Lopez.
Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez
celebrates after scoring during the Spanish
league football match FC Barcelona against
Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou
stadium in Barcelona on March 04, 2018.
Suarez´s goal was annulled. / AFP PHOTO /
LLUIS GENE
Barcelona’s 2-0 victory at bottom club Malaga
on Saturday evening, achieved with top scorer
Lionel Messi absent due to the birth of his
third son, maintained their eight point lead in
the LaLiga table. Luis Suarez headed the
blaugrana outfit ahead from Jordi Alba’s
perfect cross, before Philippe Coutinho
finished skillfully after nice work from
Ousmane Dembele.
Second placed Atlético Madrid kept up the
chase with Antoine Griezmann starring in a 3-0
home victory over Celta Vigo on Sunday
afternoon. Griezmann showed quick feet and a
cool head to score the opener just before half-
time, then provided a clever assist for Vitolo’s
first LaLiga goal for Atlético, before substitute
Angel Correa finished off the scoring.
Real Madrid had a scare at Eibar at Saturday
lunchtime, before eventually prevailing 2-1.
Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo converted
expertly from Luka Modric’s assist, but veteran
defender Ivan Ramis equalised at a corner just
after half time. An exciting final 10 minutes
saw Japan international Takashi Inui almost
put Eibar in front, before Ronaldo continued
his fine recent form with a late headed
winner.
Valencia’s 2-0 victory at Sevilla on Saturday
afternoon came thanks to two goals from
Rodrigo Moreno, both assisted by Geoffrey
Kondogbia, who was playing against his former
team. Los Che remain fourth, now with an
eleven point advantage over fifth placed
Sevilla.
Closer to the bottom, the Spanish phrase ‘new
coach, win for sure’ came true for Levante on
Saturday evening at Getafe. A late header
from right-back Coke brought a 1-0 victory in
Paco Lopez’s debut game in charge, lifting his
17th placed team to four points above the
drop zone.
18th placed Las Palmas lost 0-2 at home to
Villarreal – for whom Colombia international
Carlos Bacca scored a second half long-
ranger, with Nicola Sansone’s late penalty
confirming the result. 19th placed Deportivo La
Coruna are still hoping for a change of fortune
after set-piece goals from Cristhian Stuani and
Juanpe brought Girona a sixth straight LaLiga
win at their Montilivi stadium.
Elsewhere Espanyol jumped over Real
Sociedad with a 2-1 victory at Sunday
lunchtime. Willian Jose put La Real in front at
Cornella El-Prat, but Leo Baptistao equalized
and Gerard Moreno converted the rebound
after his penalty was saved by visiting
goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya.
On Sunday evening, Athletic Club eased to a
2-0 victory over Leganes at San Mames, with
Raul Garcia scoring twice in the first 17
minutes.