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BARCELONA: Jordi Alba struck a late winner for Barcelona in a 1-0 win over 10-man Osasuna on Tuesday to maneuver the Catalans a step nearer to their first La Liga title since 2019. Xavi Hernandez’s facet climbed 14 factors away from second place Actual Madrid, who misplaced 2-0 at Actual Sociedad. The guests had debutant Jorge Herrando despatched off within the first half for an expert foul on Pedri, as they sat deep and tried to frustrate hosts Barcelona. Visiting goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez stored the leaders at bay within the second half however ultimately substitute Alba, who has had diminished minutes this season, sliced residence a volley to grab a late victory. “We’re going to attend and see, but it surely’s a large step ahead,” stated Xavi. “We suffered an excessive amount of. We missed some very clear probabilities, the sort the place you’ll be able to simply push it in. “After which got here Jordi’s purpose, which typically makes it higher to win like that.” Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate rotated closely to relaxation gamers forward of the Copa del Rey remaining towards Madrid on Saturday, whereas Barca began with the identical facet which crushed Actual Betis on the weekend.
The Catalans didn’t carve out many clear alternatives within the first half towards their defensive opponents. The perfect probability fell to Pedri after left-back Alejandro Balde discovered him just a few yards out from purpose however he didn’t join with the ball properly, scuffing a shot extensive. Osasuna had been diminished to 10 males earlier than the half hour mark when Herrando pulled down Pedri as he ran in on purpose. Xavi introduced on Ansu Fati after 35 minutes for Gavi, who appeared to take a knock, and the ahead got here shut in the beginning of the second half however Fernandez denied him.
String of saves
Frenkie de Jong ought to have despatched Barcelona forward however fired straight on the goalkeeper from six yards out when Pedri discovered him. Barcelona’s frustration grew when Fernandez saved from Fati once more and substitute Ousmane Dembele despatched a shot extensive from shut vary. La Liga’s prime scorer Robert Lewandowski had one other quiet night time on the workplace. When the Polish ahead did discover the online it was dominated out for offside. Ultimately the breakthrough got here with 5 minutes to go, with substitute Alba volleying residence his second purpose of the season after De Jong headed the ball into his path, sparking vigorous celebrations. If Barcelona earn two extra factors from their final 5 video games, they are going to be champions.
Madrid overwhelmed
Former Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea netted the targets for Actual Sociedad towards Los Blancos, tightening their grip on fourth spot and Champions League qualification. Madrid defender Dani Carvajal was despatched off after an hour for a second yellow card to make issues worse for Los Blancos, who face Osasuna within the Copa del Rey remaining on Saturday. “It’s not one of the simplest ways to organize for video games,” stated Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“A defeat at all times hurts, it lowers your dynamic, the great emotions, so it’s not one of the simplest ways to organize for what’s to return. “Within the gamers’ heads clearly is extra, the Copa remaining, the Champions League semi-finals, that has an impact. “Once you don’t have good focus, you find yourself giving freely presents.” The Italian performed a makeshift facet due to accidents and suspensions, and he additionally left striker Karim Benzema behind within the Madrid capital forward of Saturday’s cup finale.
Kubo struck in the beginning of the second half for the hosts after Eder Militao gave the ball away in a harmful space. Carvajal was dismissed for a foul on Actual Sociedad ahead Mikel Oyarzabal, giving Madrid an uphill battle. Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did properly to parry a deflected Barrenetxea strike, however he couldn’t hold out the ahead’s subsequent effort, shocking the Belgian at his close to put up. If third place Atletico Madrid beat Cadiz on Wednesday, they will transfer second. Actual Sociedad are eight factors away from fifth-place Villarreal, who’ve performed one fewer sport.
Elche relegated
In the meantime, Backside of the desk Elche had been relegated from La Liga on Tuesday with a 2-1 defeat at Almeria making certain they can’t climb increased than 18th. Leo Baptistao and Adri Embarba struck to take Almeria provisionally 14th, 5 factors away from the relegation zone, with Ezequiel Ponce pulling one again late on for the guests.
Elche, twentieth with simply three wins all season, had delayed relegation on the weekend with a thumping 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano. The east coast membership had been promoted again to La Liga in 2020, ending seventeenth and thirteenth within the two subsequent seasons. Elche sacked coach Francisco Rodriguez in October, changing him with Jorge Almiron, who lasted lower than a month. Pablo Machin took over however Elche sacked him too in March, appointing present incumbent Sebastian Beccacece, who couldn’t hold them up. —AFP
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