FC Barcelona - Atletico de Madrid
FC Barcelona took a huge step forward towards the Spanish Liga Title defeating 2 - 1 Atletico de Madrid. The scoreline is deceiving as Atletico de Madrid deserved more & played better. The visitors fell into their own trap of indiscipline with two red cards that left them with 9 men. Atletico defender Felipe Luis was sent off directly at the end of the first half after a horrendous tackle on Messi, while in the mid second half an unnecessary tackle by Atletico defender Godin on Luis Suarez saw a second yellow which sent him off. Obviously with only 9 men on the field little more could be done, but Barça did little to "kill off" the game & looked impotent.
The match started with Atletico de Madrid overriding Barça & they were rewarded with a Koke goal in the 9th min that put the visitors in front. It looked like Atletico would shake Barça but thanks to 8 mins of Messi & Luis Suarez magic in the 29th min & 37th min their goals turned the game around. Atletico de Madrid had lost domination & made some "silly mistakes" which allowed Barcelona to take advantage, but that was all Barcelona did & would do in the game. Effective for Barça which is admirable, but little Football.
Atletico de Madrid with 10 men dominated the 2º half & could have equalized had Barça goalie Claudio Bravo not miraculously saved with his left foot a Griezmann attempt at goal. With Barça again rattled, a "stupid & unnecessary" tackle by Atletico de Madrid defender Godin on Suarez earned him his 2º yellow card & consequently a red card that left At. Madrid with 9 men. The momentum ended for the visitors which forced At. Madrid to concentrate in defending & looking for the counter-attack.
Then if down to 9 men was not enough, Atletico midfielder Augusto injured himself & it looks extremely serious. It could be his knee, which if diagnosed could sentence his goodbye for this season.
FC Barcelona with all the advantage failed to seal the match & even allowed At. Madrid a further goalscoring opportunity. The final whistle blew, Barça secured the 3 points gripping further the Liga title & doing the job. But the locals left the stadium, as the TV spectators, with a sour taste, while At. Madrid can be proud.
Eibar seems to be losing steam & was defeated tonight 1 - 2 by Malaga FC. Worthy victory by the visitors which worked to their game plan & neutralized the home team. The goals came through Juanpi in the 44th min & Santa Cruz in the 91st min. Eibar got their only goal through Borja 92nd min.
Madrid Club Getafe lost 0 - 1 to Athletic Club Bilbao. Serious game from both teams with some hard play to keep thing that way for both. The 23rd min goal from young Williams was in the end enough to give Bilbao the 3 points. The youngster is gaining for himself respect & a name with some outstanding performances in the last weeks.
Villarreal defeated 1 - 0 Granada. The winning goal came from a penalty scored by Bruno in the 54th min. With this victory Villarreal sits 4th on the Liga classification ladder.
Real Sociedad 2 (X.Prieto 17, I.Martinez 32) - Real Betis 1 (Ruben Castro 50)
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