Barcelona snatched a 2-1 Clasico win over Real Madrid with Franck Kessie’s late goal Sunday to move 12 points clear at the top of La Liga.
The victory dents Madrid’s ambitions of retaining the title
and leaves the Catalans close to lifting the trophy for the first time since
2019.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid took the lead through a Ronald
Araujo own goal but Barcelona pulled level when Sergi Roberto tucked home just
before half-time.
Both sides had chances to win the game and Marco Asensio
struck for Madrid, but the goal was ruled offside by VAR, before Alejandro
Balde set up Kessie in the 92nd minute.
“It’s not definitive but it’s a very important step,” Xavi
told reporters.
“Twelve points clear at the top of La Liga, we are having an
extraordinary league campaign, I am very happy for that and proud to watch the
team play.”
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by Barcelona’s
corruption charge in the “Caso Negreira” refereeing scandal.
Madrid joined Spanish prosecutors’ complaint against
Barcelona last week and their president Florentino Perez snubbed the game for
the first time in over 20 years, amid rising tensions between the two Spanish
giants.
That fed the match’s intensity, both on and off the pitch,
in Xavi’s sixth Clasico as Barcelona coach but only his first at Camp Nou.
Xavi asked fans to make the stadium a pressure cooker and
they responded, selling it out, whistling Madrid in possession and conjuring
one of the best atmospheres of the season.
However, they fell behind in unfortunate circumstances.
Araujo deflected Vinicius’ cross in at the near post, with Ter Stegen helpless.
Araujo, playing at right-back to counteract the Brazilian,
has enjoyed his duels with Vinicius in the past but this time the winger
triumphed, albeit fortuitously. Barcelona supporters became enraged by his
emphatic celebration in front of them.
It was the first goal from open play Barcelona have conceded
at Camp Nou in La Liga all season long, and only the second strike at home and
ninth overall.
Comeback charge
Barcelona complained defender Nacho, already booked, should
have been sent off for a hand-off on Raphinha.
The hosts did not get their wish, but were building up steam
and found the breakthrough just before half-time, from an unlikely source.
Selected in place of injured midfielder Pedri, Sergi Roberto
was in the right place at the right time to control a loose ball in the box and
arc it beyond Courtois.
Barcelona had significantly more possession than in their
cup win over Madrid and significantly more chances, but Madrid nearly won it.
Madrid substitute Asensio fired home but the goal was ruled
out for offside after a nervy wait for VAR instruction.
“We did not win because of an offside that we’re still
doubtful about,” complained Ancelotti.
“I was not so sure. We have doubts about it, and we go back
to Madrid with this doubt.”
Barcelona seemed content with the draw but Kessie’s
last-gasp strike sparked wild celebrations at Camp Nou.
“I don’t have the feeling (the league is won) but I understand
the fans singing ‘campeones — it’s a considerable advantage but we can’t
relax,” added Xavi.
“The atmosphere was extraordinary, how the fans supported
the team.”
Earlier Real Sociedad held on to fourth place with a 2-0 win
over Elche on Sunday. They are under pressure from Real Betis and Villarreal
who both won too.
Betis, fifth, are three points behind the Basque side after
they beat Mallorca 1-0, while Villarreal, sixth, thrashed Osasuna 3-0 on the
road and sit four points behind the Andalusians.
Sevilla fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Getafe as
their topsy-turvy season continued, leaving Jorge Sampaoli’s side 14th and two
points above the drop zone.
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