Real Madrid did not play a match in the Spanish league this weekend due to the competition in the Club World Cup in Morocco. Carlo Ancelotti’s team lifted the trophy with a 5-3 victory over Saudi side Al-Hilal in the final. The “overdue” match against Elche is to be played on Wednesday 15 February. Therefore, Barcelona had a chance to extend the lead over Real Madrid to 11 points at least for a few days.
Primera Division. Barcelona are eleven points ahead of Real Madrid
Barcelona dominated most of the first half against Villarreal and scored in the eighteenth minute with an assist from Robert Lewandowski and a goal from Pedri. Villarreal could have equalized late in the first half, but Morales hit the side netting on a one-on-one with Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Despite action from both sides, though mainly attacking Villarreal, Barcelona won 1-0 and are now eleven points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.
How did the rest of the top teams in the Spanish league fare? Atletico Madrid won 1-0 against Celta Vigo thanks to Memphis Depay’s goal in the 89th minute. Real Betis also won with a 3-2 victory over AlmerÃa, leaving them in fifth place. Much closer to the European cups is Athletic Bilbao, who beat Valencia 2-1 and only a point behind sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano. Andoni Iraola’s men drew 1-1 with Getafe. The loss to Barcelona left Villarreal down to eighth place.
The struggles in the 21st round will end on the original date with Real Sociedad, who will play away to Espanyol. In turn, the clash between Real Madrid and Elche will take place on Wednesday, February 15 at 10:00. 21:00. Valencia (20 points), Getafe (19 points) and Elche (9 points) are in the relegation zone of the Spanish league.
La Liga table after Sunday matches (as of 12.02):
- 1. FC Barcelona – 56 points, goal difference 43:7
- 2. Real Madrid – 45 pts, 40:17*
- 3. Real Sociedad – 39 pts, 28:19*
- 4. Atletico Madrid – 38 points, 30:17
- 5. Real Betis – 34 points, 27:22
* – Real Madrid and Real Sociedad will play matches against Elche and Espanyol respectively
Source: Sport.PL
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
