A subdued Barcelona couldn’t break down Getafe in a 0-0 draw on Sunday, dropping extra factors however nonetheless sitting 11 away from Actual Madrid on the prime of La Liga. Third-place Atletico Madrid beat Almeria 2-1 at house with Antoine Griezmann netting a brace as he continued his glowing kind. Valencia sunk deeper into the relegation mire with a 2-0 house defeat by Sevilla, who host Manchester United within the Europa League on Thursday.
Champions Madrid beat Cadiz on Saturday to chop again Barcelona’s lead, and with 9 video games remaining it appears extremely unlikely they’ll catch Barcelona — however Xavi Hernandez’s facet are limping over the road.
Barcelona drew 0-0 at house in opposition to Girona on Monday and adopted that up with a second consecutive stalemate, the group nonetheless wallowing after their Copa del Rey semi-final thrashing by Madrid earlier in April.
The one constructive for Barca was a twenty second clear sheet of the season within the prime flight, with Getafe, fifteenth, not creating a lot hazard.
“Right here you endure, as a result of the grass is excessive, the same old tips, so it is exhausting, the clear probabilities you have got — you must put them away,” Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen informed DAZN.
“It is a dry pitch, so it is tough. We did issues otherwise to regular.”
Xavi echoed Ter Stegen’s grievance that the low high quality of the pitch performed an element within the end result, however mentioned Barca couldn’t disguise behind it.
“It is not an excuse, we weren’t correct, we made probabilities however we couldn’t end them,” mentioned Xavi.
“However sure, the grass did harm us, the ball did not run.”
– No approach by way of –
After a gradual begin, the Catalans created the primary clear probability on the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, when Raphinha fired in opposition to the submit, with Balde’s follow-up additionally placing the woodwork.
Sergi Roberto pulled up injured, seemingly with a hamstring situation, including to Barcelona’s lengthy record of absentees.
The league leaders have badly missed explosive winger Ousmane Dembele and artistic midfielder Pedri in current weeks.
Getafe have been content material with the purpose, sitting again as Barcelona probed for a breakthrough and located goalkeeper David Soria of their approach, though Borja Mayoral virtually snatched a winner for the hosts on the break.
Xavi’s facet are nonetheless agency favourites to raise the title for the primary time since 2019, however ought to they stumble at house in opposition to Atletico subsequent weekend, doubts may creep in.
Getafe are 4 factors above the drop zone, after Valencia, 18th, misplaced at Mestalla.
Sevilla, who welcome Manchester United for the Europa League quarter-final second leg conflict subsequent week, earned a hard-fought win over the annoyed hosts, for whom Ilaix Moriba was despatched off late on.
Defender Loic Bade despatched Sevilla forward at Mestalla early within the second half, with Suso doubling the guests’ lead.
Valencia’s anger grew once they weren’t awarded a penalty after the ball struck Fernando’s hand within the space, after which afterward had a spot kick award cancelled by the referee after VAR confirmed no foul had been dedicated.
The victory helped Jose Luis Mendilibar’s Sevilla rise to twelfth, eight factors away from the underside three, persevering with their enchancment since he changed Jorge Sampaoli on the helm in March.
– Griezmann targets –
Atletico stayed two factors behind Actual Madrid with a slim win over Almeria, seventeenth, which ought to have been extra comfy than it proved to be.
Antoine Griezmann headed Atletico forward within the fifth minute when Angel Correa nodded on a nook to the again submit.
Diego Simeone’s facet have been dominant all through, however Almeria pulled degree when Leo Baptistao’s shot deflected in off Jose Gimenez.
Griezmann despatched the Rojiblancos forward once more earlier than the break, ending clinically from Yannick Carrasco’s move on the finish of a nice group transfer for his eleventh league purpose.
Carrasco and Griezmann each hit the submit within the second half as Atletico appeared to kill the sport.
They may not discover the third and Almeria gave Atletico just a few scares within the closing levels, interesting for a penalty when Gimenez dealt with however VAR confirmed there was an offside.
“I believe I am at my most full model when it comes to assists and targets,” Griezmann informed Movistar.
“I am proud of my performances however I have not reached my ceiling but — I hope I can quickly.”
Girona, ninth, beat bottom-of-the-table Elche 2-0, leaving the stragglers 17 factors from security.
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