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DPA
Barcelona
Real Madrid capitalised on Barcelona’s defeat by Valencia to move three points clear at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Zinedine Zidane’s side had Casemiro’s header disallowed for offside in the first half and failed to create many clear chances until Nacho nodded in Toni Kroos’s cross after 78 minutes.
Earlier, Atletico Madrid were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by 19th-placed Leganes as their difficult campaign in front of goal continued.
The visitors at the Wanda Metropolitano finished the game with 10 men after goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar was given a second yellow card for time wasting at the death.
Madrid have 46 points from 21 matches, followed by Barcelona on 43 after they collapsed at Mestalla on Saturday.
“No ground is easy to go to and all teams are showing that,” said Sergio Ramos after Madrid’s narrow win.
“They were an opponent who it was going to be hard to play against, they close up well and it was hard to create space.
“In the second we found the space more and finally Nacho was able to get a goal. We leave happy with three points and as leaders.”
Nacho’s goal was one of the few opportunities in a dull clash, and Valladolid striker Sergi Guardiola had a late equaliser ruled out for offside as the hosts pushed for parity.
Atletico have only managed 22 goals in 21 league games and sit fifth on 36 points, 10 behind leaders and city rivals Real Madrid. After a midweek elimination in the Copa del Rey by third tier Cultural Leonesa, fans chanted Diego Simeone’s name in support of their coach, but Atletico struggled against Leganes nevertheless.
Record signing Joao Felix toiled to little effect as the hosts failed to create chances in a dull Madrid derby.
Angel Correa volleyed over for Atletico while Recio narrowly missed at the other end.
Drama came at the end when Leganes goalkeeper Cuellar was dismissed after an altercation with a ball boy, deemed as time wasting by referee Mateo Lahoz.
Defender Jonathan Silva ended the match in goal for Leganes but Atletico could not take advantage.
“The fans are critical when the team doesn’t win. And it’s for me to find solutions to that,” said Simeone. “I can’t say anything to the people, all I can do is prove (things) to them through actions, not words. Words mean nothing.”
Getafe climbed above Atletico to move fourth with a 1-0 win over Real Betis, thanks to Angel Rodriguez’s penalty.
Real Sociedad climbed to sixth with a convincing 3-0 victory against struggling Real Mallorca, 17th.
Barcelona
Real Madrid capitalised on Barcelona’s defeat by Valencia to move three points clear at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Zinedine Zidane’s side had Casemiro’s header disallowed for offside in the first half and failed to create many clear chances until Nacho nodded in Toni Kroos’s cross after 78 minutes.
Earlier, Atletico Madrid were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by 19th-placed Leganes as their difficult campaign in front of goal continued.
The visitors at the Wanda Metropolitano finished the game with 10 men after goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar was given a second yellow card for time wasting at the death.
Madrid have 46 points from 21 matches, followed by Barcelona on 43 after they collapsed at Mestalla on Saturday.
“No ground is easy to go to and all teams are showing that,” said Sergio Ramos after Madrid’s narrow win.
“They were an opponent who it was going to be hard to play against, they close up well and it was hard to create space.
“In the second we found the space more and finally Nacho was able to get a goal. We leave happy with three points and as leaders.”
Nacho’s goal was one of the few opportunities in a dull clash, and Valladolid striker Sergi Guardiola had a late equaliser ruled out for offside as the hosts pushed for parity.
Atletico have only managed 22 goals in 21 league games and sit fifth on 36 points, 10 behind leaders and city rivals Real Madrid. After a midweek elimination in the Copa del Rey by third tier Cultural Leonesa, fans chanted Diego Simeone’s name in support of their coach, but Atletico struggled against Leganes nevertheless.
Record signing Joao Felix toiled to little effect as the hosts failed to create chances in a dull Madrid derby.
Angel Correa volleyed over for Atletico while Recio narrowly missed at the other end.
Drama came at the end when Leganes goalkeeper Cuellar was dismissed after an altercation with a ball boy, deemed as time wasting by referee Mateo Lahoz.
Defender Jonathan Silva ended the match in goal for Leganes but Atletico could not take advantage.
“The fans are critical when the team doesn’t win. And it’s for me to find solutions to that,” said Simeone. “I can’t say anything to the people, all I can do is prove (things) to them through actions, not words. Words mean nothing.”
Getafe climbed above Atletico to move fourth with a 1-0 win over Real Betis, thanks to Angel Rodriguez’s penalty.
Real Sociedad climbed to sixth with a convincing 3-0 victory against struggling Real Mallorca, 17th.
