Barcelona 'Give Away' Points At Valencia, Atletico Stumble In Bilbao

17.12.2023 - 06:25 sports.ndtv.com

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said his team "gave away two points" to Valencia in a tense 1-1 draw on Sunday in La Liga. The champions moved third, a point clear of Atletico Madrid, but trail Real Madrid by four and surprise leaders Girona by six, having played one game more than all three sides.

Atletico fell 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao earlier Saturday but the Catalans could not take full advantage in an entertaining clash on the east coast.

Joao Felix sent Barcelona ahead in the second half after a slick team move, but Hugo Guillamon's fine strike pegged them back. "We have to be much stronger in the opponent's box, the chances are so clear (and) we didn't win the game," Xavi told Movistar. "I think we gave away two points, because the team had a very good game...

we take away a point that leaves us very unsatisfied." Barcelona have won just one of their last four league matches, including being ripped apart by a rampant Girona last weekend at home.

Football Barcelona Joan Laporta Xavi Hernandez Atletico Madrid Hugo Guillamón Athletic Bilbao Royal Antwerp Belgium Spain county Valencia

Ernesto Valverde's impressive Athletic Bilbao beat Sevilla 2-0 on Thursday to move provisionally third in La Liga, ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Spanish champions Barca face Las Palmas later looking to take third place and cut the gap on leaders Real Madrid and Girona, who both won on Wednesday. Athletic, without talisman striker Inaki Williams -- heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana -- secured a solid away win through goals from Mikel Vesga and Aitor Paredes.

Girona's La Liga fairy tale continues after thrilling win against Atletico Madrid

There are rarer things in elite football than an Atletico Madrid side under Diego Simeone conceding four goals in a game, but not too many. Scroll through Simone’s back catalogue of 652 matches spent building his monument to tenacity and rugged defensive excellence and you find very few scorelines that heavy.

Girona Edge Atletico Thriller, Stay Level With Real Madrid

Shock Spanish title challengers Girona snatched a remarkable 4-3 victory over Atletico Madrid to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Wednesday. After Los Blancos edged Real Mallorca 1-0 thanks to Antonio Rudiger's goal, Ivan Martin's stoppage time strike ensured the Catalan minnows matched Carlo Ancelotti's side on 48 points from 19 matches. Alvaro Morata hit a hat-trick for Atletico at Girona's tiny Montilivi stadium, but it was not enough as Martin found the top corner at the death to keep Girona firmly in the hunt for the title.

Philippe Clement declares Celtic is NOT his biggest Rangers challenge so far as boss makes case for conquered foe

Boss Philippe Clement reckons that Celtic will not be his biggest test as Rangers boss so far.

Man City could ‘swap Joao Cancelo for Barcelona left-back’ and more transfer rumours

Manchester City could receive a swap offer from Barcelona involving Joao Cancelo, according to a report.

Ten-man Real Madrid score late to snatch victory at Alaves

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain :A stoppage time header by fullback Lucas Vazquez earned 10-man Real Madrid a 1-0 victory at lowly Alaves in LaLiga on Thursday, with defender Nacho handed his marching orders following a sliding tackle.