Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona, the defending champion, regained the winning tone and temporarily took the lead with a difficult victory over its guest, Sevilla, 1-0, on Friday, at the opening of the eighth stage of the Spanish Football Championship.
Published on: 09/29/2023 – 23:01 Last updated: 09/29/2023 – 22:59
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Barcelona owes its victory to friendly fire when the former defenseman of traditional rivals Real Madrid, who returned to the ranks of the Andalusian club, veteran Sergio Ramos, accidentally scored against his team in the 76th minute.
The Catalan club returned to winning ways after stumbling against its host Real Mallorca 2-2 last Tuesday, achieving its sixth victory this season, raising its score to 20 points and regaining the lead temporarily by one point in front of the previous leader, its neighbor Girona, which hosts Real Madrid tomorrow, Saturday, at the top of the stage.
Barcelona prepared well for its difficult trip to Portugal to face Porto next Wednesday in the second round of the group stage of the Champions League competition.
On the other hand, Sevilla returned to the losing streak after two wins and a draw, suffering its fourth loss this season and its score frozen at seven points in twelfth place.
Sevilla, which was without Moroccan international striker Youssef En-Nesyri due to injury, suffered a painful loss before its trip to the Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven next Tuesday in the second round of the group stage of the prestigious continental competition.
Barcelona rushed towards the attack from the beginning, and Portuguese international João Felix, on loan from Atletico Madrid, hit a strong ball from inside the area, which was cleared by Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland before the defense dispersed it (13).
Sevilla responded with a powerful shot from its captain, the former Croatian midfielder of the Catalan club, Ivan Rakitic, which was blocked by German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen before the defense cleared it (16).
The crossbar responded to a shot by Joao Felix from close range following a smart through pass from his compatriot Joao Cancelo (22), and a header by French international defender Jules Conde from close range next to the left post (28).
International midfielder Gavi saved his goal from an achieved goal by deflecting a ball from Argentine Lucas Ocampos from close range on its way to the goal (30), and Belgian Dodi Lukebakio shot from close range (32).
Brazilian Rafinha almost did it with a shot “on the fly” with his left hand from close range, but his ball was blocked by goalkeeper Nayland in two shots (34). Rafinha suffered an injury in the right thigh as a result of his shot, leaving his place to Fermin Lopes (37).
Lopes wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring when he received a ball on a golden platter from Lamine Jamal two meters in front of the goal. He prepared it for himself, turned and recklessly shot it into the hands of goalkeeper Nayland (39).
Polish international Robert Lewandowski wasted an easy opportunity to open the scoring when he received a smart ball inside the area from Cancelo, so he slowed down his shot and it bounced off goalkeeper Nyland to a corner (56), to which German international Ilkay Gundogan took a shot, and Gavi almost scored the net through it with a header a few centimeters above the crossbar (57).
Rakitic almost did it with a header from close range after a pass from Argentine Eric Lamela passed near Ter Stegen’s left post (74).
Barcelona’s pressure resulted in a goal when Ferran Torres, João Felix’s substitute, passed a cross, which Jamal headed over from close range, hitting the foot of veteran defender Sergio Ramos and deceiving goalkeeper Nayland (76).
On Saturday, Getafe will also play against Villarreal, Rayo Vallecano will play against Real Mallorca, and Real Sociedad will play against Athletic Bilbao.
On Sunday, Almeria will meet with Granada, Alaves with Osasuna, Atletico Madrid with Cadiz, and Real Betis with Valencia, and Monday will conclude with a match between Las Palmas and Celta Vigo.
© 2023 AFP
2023-09-29 21:01:04
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