Vinicius Sends Real Top, Barca Struggle At Home
31 October, 2021
FC Barcelona endured another frustrating evening after playing to a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Alaves at the Camp Nou on Saturday evening.
Sergi Barjuan, who coaches the B team, has taken over from Ronald Koeman on an interim basis and recalled Oscar Mingueza and Gavi to the starting line-up.
The hosts had a chance to break the deadlock on 18 minutes from a corner situation, but Eric Garcia's goal-bound header was impressively kept out by Antonio Sivera.
Barcelona enjoyed most of the possession in the first but other than Garcia's headed effort, chances were hard to come by for the Catalan outfit.
There was some bad news for the home side five minutes before the break when Sergio Aguero was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Philippe Coutinho.
However, Barcelona got their reward three minutes after the break as Memphis Depay collected a pass from Jordi Alba before curling one into the top corner from just outside the box.
The celebrations were short-lived though as Alaves pulled level three minutes later as Luis Rioha embarked on a far run before rounding Ter Stegen to finish into an empty net.
The home side nearly restored their lead just before the hour mark as Gavi did well to pick out Depay, who saw his little dink crash against the upright from close range.
Riqui Puig was introduced for the final 20 minutes in place of Gavi while Clement Lenglet replaced Gerard Pique, who also picked up an injury.
The changes did not have the desired effect as Alaves held on for a vital point on the road, while the Catalans remain in ninth spot.
Elche 1-2 Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior bagged a brace as Real Madrid reclaimed top spot with a 2-1 victory over Elche on Saturday afternoon.
Luka Modric was restored to the Los Blancos line-up while Rodrygo and Mariano Diaz replaced Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema.
The visitors showed little attack impetus in the early stages, but Carlo Ancelotti was forced to make an early change when Asensio came in for Rodrygo, who picked up a knock.
The opening goal arrived 22 minutes as Casemiro did well to win possession and find Diaz who laid a first-time pass off for Vinicius who slotted home.
Elche, meanwhile, had to wait until the 37th minute for a sight at goal but Lucas Boye saw his strike saved by Los Blancos shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois as the visitors entered the break with a slender lead.
The second half did not get any better for the home side who were reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute when Raul Guti was given his marching orders for picking up his second yellow card.
With one eye on the Champions League this week, Ancelotti withdrew Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez for Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal for the final 20 minutes.
Los Blancos would go on to grab another goal on 75 minutes as Modric turned provider to play Vinicius who completed his brace with a neat finish over Kiko Casilla.
Despite being a man down, Elche pulled a goal back with three minutes left of regulation time when Pere Milla cut through the Ral defence before slotting past Courtois.
However, There was to be no comeback for the home side as Ancelotti's men got back to winning ways to move back to the summit.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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