Robert Lewandowski Ferran Torres Ousmane Dembele Manchester Poland Boxing Barcelona athletics win Liga Robert Lewandowski Ferran Torres Ousmane Dembele Manchester Poland

Barca restore Liga lead, Griezmann earns Atletico win

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BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski and Sergi Roberto's goals helped Barcelona beat Cadiz 2-0 and restore their eight-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday (Feb 18).Elsewhere Antoine Griezmann's superb strike helped Atletico Madrid earn a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao to tighten their grip on fourth place.Champions Real Madrid's win at Osasuna on Saturday pulled them closer to Xavi Hernandez's Barca, who had one eye on Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford.However an inspired Ferran Torres helped Sergi Roberto to break the deadlock and Lewandowski added a second to leave Cadiz, 17th, two points above the relegation zone.The visitors had two Roger Marti goals disallowed and made Barcelona uncomfortable at times at Camp Nou but their victory rarely seemed in doubt.Xavi began with Sergi Roberto in midfield, replacing Pedri, who suffered a thigh injury in the Europa League 2-2 first leg draw with Manchester United last Thursday.The coach passionately defended the Catalan after the game, saying he was a player often used as a scapegoat."I've heard the most unjust criticism (aimed at him) in my life," Xavi told reporters."He's a homegrown player, with a spectacular attitude, always trying to help the team, he's unselfish."However it was Torres' arrival that made the key difference for Barcelona in the first half.The winger has struggled badly at times this season, but with Ousmane Dembele injured and Raphinha rested to face United, he took his chance with both hands.Torres was hyperactive, dribbling past defenders at pace and tying Cadiz's defence in knots.One such run down the right saw him cross for Lewandowski after 43 minutes and although the Polish striker's effort was saved,

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BARCELONA: Barcelona clung on with 10 men to beat Valencia 1-0 and move 10 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Sunday, thanks to Raphinha’s early header. The Brazilian winger nodded the Catalans in front in the 16th minute. But after Ferran Torres missed a penalty and Ronald Araujo was sent off, the hosts were left fighting tooth and nail for the three points.
Barcelona held on with 10 men for the last half hour as Raphinha's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over second-bottom Valencia. The former Leeds man made a diagonal run from the right flank to meet Sergio Busquets' perfect clipped ball over the defence with a header to put the hosts ahead on the 15-minute mark.
MADRID: A tenacious Barcelona frustrated Real Madrid to secure a 1-0 win over their bitter rivals in an ill-tempered Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday.
A Barcelona side galvanised by a gutsy victory over Real Madrid can take a significant step towards the Spanish title with a win over Valencia on Sunday at Camp Nou. Xavi Hernandez's men earned a 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final, first-leg win over Los Blancos on Thursday, arresting a worrying dip in form before it spiralled out of control. However, still missing Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri, Barca face a real battle against a Valencia fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
Barcelona boss Xavi hailed his side's defensive effort as a resolute rearguard kept Real Madrid at bay and came away from the Bernabeu with a 1-0 win to hand the Catalans the advantage in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Eder Militao's own goal handed a depleted Barcelona a surprise 1-0 away victory over Real Madrid in a stormy Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday. The Catalans arrived on the back of two consecutive defeats and without an injured trio of key players -- top scorer Robert Lewandowski, key midfielder Pedri and explosive winger Ousmane Dembele. After their Europa League elimination by Manchester United last week and a first ever loss against La Liga minnows Almeria, Madrid fans smelled blood, but left bitterly frustrated.

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