Report: Barcelona Closing in on Martin Braithwaite; Deal Could Be Done This Week
Feb 18, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 16: Martin Braithwaite of Leganes during the La Liga Santander match between Leganes v Real Betis Sevilla at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque on February 16, 2020 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Barcelona are reportedly closing in on the signing of Martin Braithwaite as their injury replacement for Ousmane Dembele.
According to Sport, the Blaugrana have decided to pay the forward's €18 million buyout clause. The deal could be concluded on Tuesday or Wednesday after La Liga gave the club permission to sign cover for Dembele on Monday.
La Liga allows the signing of a replacement player outside the transfer window as cover for a long-term injury. The player has to be a free agent or already registered in Spain, however.
VALENCIA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: Martin Braithwaite Christensen (L) of CD Leganes competes for the ball with Ruben Vezo of Levante UD during the Liga match between Levante UD and CD Leganes at Ciutat de Valencia on February 8, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Phot
Braithwaite's agents are said to be negotiating a deal until 2023.
The 28-year-old has scored six goals in La Liga so far this season, leading 19th-placed Leganes in the scoring charts. His last goal came in the 2-2 draw against Real Valladolid on January 3:
He joined Los Pepineros on loan from Middlesbrough in January 2019, and the move was made permanent in the summer. He's also a full Denmark international.
The decision to add Braithwaite is somewhat surprising, with several other options available:
Deportes Cuatro say Cristhian Stuani is Barça's no.1 target if they're allowed to sign an emergency striker, ahead of Ángel, Loren, Willian José https://t.co/PiNMxEBNpk
Real Sociedad's Willian Jose seemed a particularly good fit after losing his starting position to the in-form Alexander Isak. Club manager Imanol Alguacil told reporters (h/t AS) the team wouldn't part with him for less than his €70 million release clause, however.
According to Sport, Getafe's Angel Rodriguez has a buyout clause of just €10 million. He was another strong candidate and netted at the Camp Nou in Saturday's 2-1 loss.
The signing of Braithwaite is a controversial one, with Leganes powerless to stop one of their best players from leaving due to a mandatory buyout clause. The club are in the midst of a relegation battle and can't sign a replacement.
Spanish football writers Dermot Corrigan and Colin Millar both thought it a bad look for the league and noted Barcelona put themselves in this position with poor squad planning:
Especially as its hardly a surprise Barca are short of strikers / Dembele and Suarez were already in January / they allowed Carles Perez and Abel Ruiz to leave for accounting reasons.
This entire episode comes about because Barcelona made a total mess of their squad planning, and willingly sold two young forwards - without replacements - less than three weeks ago. Now Leganes are punished. This is just wrong. So, so wrong.
The Catalans parted with prospects Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez in January without signing replacements. Luis Suarez was already sidelined with an injury when those two left, and Dembele has a lengthy injury history that should have made the Blaugrana more cautious.
As a result, Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ansu Fati are the only remaining true forwards in the squad. Full-back Junior Firpo has provided emergency cover in a more advanced role, but with Jordi Alba suffering an injury against Getafe, he's needed in defence.
Barcelona Deny Report of Hiring PR Company to Damage Reputations of Messi, More
Feb 17, 2020
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 01: The Barcelona club crest during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Barcelona have denied a report they hired a PR company to attack the images of players such as Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique.
Football journalist Dermot Corrigan relayed a statement from the club:
Barca have just issued statement saying they "deny completely contracting anybody to make negative comments on social media about anybody related to the club."
Catalunya SER radio show Que T'hi Jugues (h/t Sport) had reported Barcelona had hired company I3 Ventures to protect the reputation of president Josep Maria Bartomeu and damage the image of Messi, Pique and former coaches and players Pep Guardiola, Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol via posts on social media.
It's said I3 Ventures run a number of accounts on various social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.
Que T'hi Juguesshared examples of posts criticising figures connected to the club:
📲 Alguns exemples de publicacions d'aquests comptes "no oficials" de l'empresa amb què treballa el Barça per generar opinió a les xarxes: pic.twitter.com/RnBKp3hyuB
Tom Allnutt of AFP shared further comment from Barcelona on the matter:
Adds the club "demands immediate rectification of the information and reserves the right to take the appropriate legal action against anyone who continues to involve the Club in this type of practice."
Intheir statement, the club added that while I3 Ventures is a "service provider" for Barcelona, the company "has no relationship with the accounts mentioned and, if any relationship was to come to light, the club would immediately end their contractual agreement."
The club also confirmed that they do contract services to monitor social media and how the club is perceived, both positively and negatively, but their goal is only to protect the reputations of the club and those connected.
Barcelona have endured a difficult start to 2020 on and off the pitch.
In January, they replaced manager Ernesto Valverde with Quique Setien after the club were knocked out of the Spanish Super Cup in the semi-final by Atletico Madrid.
On February 6, they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-final, shortly after Messi had engaged in apublic disputewith sporting director Eric Abidal.
The club had got back to winning ways on the pitch after a 3-2 victory over Real Betis before they claimed an important 2-1 victory against third-place Getafe in La Liga on Saturday:
Barca have some key games coming up, with Napoli awaiting in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on February 25 before racing Real Madrid in La Liga on March 1.
Away from the pitch, they'll be eager to tie down Lionel Messi on a new contract, as his deal expires next year.
Costa, the Wanda and Simeone's Fearlessness: How Atletico Aim to Upset Liverpool
Feb 17, 2020
VALLADOLID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 6: (L-R) Diego Costa of Atletico Madrid, coach Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Valladolid v Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla on October 6, 2019 in Valladolid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Liverpool look unstoppable. Jurgen Klopp's team are reigning UEFA Champions League holders. They're on track to smash Manchester City's record 100-points tally in the Premier League and are on course to emulate Arsene Wenger's "Invincibles" from the 2003-2004 campaign in going unbeaten all season long.
It's difficult to detect a weakness in them. They're a fearsome side with several ways to fillet opposition teams and the deadliest attacking trident in world football—Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Atletico Madrid—who they face in the UEFA Champions League at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday—would be forgiven for running scared, but it's not something a Diego Simeone team would ever entertain.
"Atletico is not afraid of Liverpool," says Patricia Cazon, a journalist with Diario AS. "Atletico is never afraid of an opponent because it's such a competitive team. It doesn't matter how well, or not, the team is playing at the moment. It never looks for excuses, and whoever thinks that all Liverpool has to do is show up because they're Liverpool and what they've achieved elsewhere is totally wrong. There's nothing more distinctive about Simeone's team than its competitive spirit.
"Sure, it will be a very difficult challenge for Atletico, but it will be similar to the challenge Atletico faced last season at the same stage of the competition against Juventus, a team in excellent form who also had a bogeyman in their ranks, Cristiano Ronaldo, who, I suppose, learnt from his mistakes when he came out for the second leg."
In the first leg of that encounter, Juventus were overrun, losing 2-0, in a game that could easily have finished 4-0. Atletico Madrid were ravenous. Diego Costa—who missed the second leg through suspension, which Juventus won 3-0 to proceed to the next round—bullied Juve's defence into submission. It was like he set a flame under the whole Atletico team.
Costa, 31, will be vital for Atletico's chances against Liverpool, but, as they say in Spain, the panther doesn't kill anymore. Since returning to play for the club—who he helped to win a historic league title in 2014 before moving to Chelsea, where he won another two championships—in January 2018, and having had to sit out several months because of a UEFA ban on Atleti registering players, Costa has only scored seven league goals.
Costa's second act with Atletico has been beset with a crisis of confidence—which has cost him his starting place—suspensions, including a hefty eight-game ban for getting sent off against Barcelona in a pivotal league game last spring, and a series of injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u-1r6FFYJA
If he plays against Liverpool, it will be Costa's first game back since November, owing to a neck injury that required surgery.
Simeone—conscious that Costa is his embodiment on the pitch and is capable of one-off big performances like, for example, the four goals he rattled past Real Madrid's defence in a devastating hour's work last summer in New Jersey—is hoping he can get another big night out of him. The Liverpool match has been the only thing on Costa's mind.
"The club has been preparing Diego Costa for this match for the last three months," says Cazon. "He wasn't in the squad against Valencia [for Atletico's 2-2 draw in the league on Friday] because they want to keep him on ice for Liverpool. It is not the same Diego Costa who was at Chelsea, yeah. It is not the same Diego Costa who scored 27 goals to help Atletico win the league title in 2014, yeah, but it's still Diego Costa, man!
"His strength, his guts, is contagious. He's crazy to play this game. Simeone is putting all his chips on Costa, and Liverpool would be advised to recall what Diego Costa did to Juventus in the first leg of the corresponding fixture last season."
It is a shaky foundation—given Costa's lack of fitness—for Atletico to build their hopes on, but they have few other attacking options to look towards. Only Athletic Bilbao have scored fewer goals than Atletico Madrid, who sit in fourth place on goal difference, in the top half of the Spanish league table this season.
Atletico sorely miss the 30-odd goals a season Antoine Griezmann, who left for Barcelona last summer, guaranteed. Alvaro Morata is the club's top scorer this season, but he has only scored seven times in the league. Joao Felix—the club's most expensive signing in its history when he joined during the summer—has yet to catch fire and is also a fitness doubt for the Liverpool game.
Atletico Madrid's Portuguese midfielder Joao Felix (L) walks past Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone as he leaves the pitch after getting injured during the Spanish League football match between Atletico Madrid and Getafe at the Wanda Metro
"Joao Felix—whatever about the way 'Cholo' [Simeone] defends him in public—is not at the races," says Javier Najera, president of Atletica Barajas, an Atletico Madrid supporters' group.
"We've seen his quality in little drops, a few good dribbles, a few assists. A guy his age shouldn't have his poor physical conditioning, his lack of resistance. How is it possible that you can have a guy like Hector Herrera, who is about to turn 30, who can play Wednesdays and Sundays, and this Joao Felix, a 20-year-old, has nothing left in his boots in the 60th minute of every game?
"It's not disappointing—it's beyond that when you consider his transfer fee. Look at Real Madrid. They paid about €40 million each for Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo. It's a lot for their age, but it's an investment, and it's nothing compared to the €127 million we paid for Joao Felix, who could end up like Thomas Lemar, who we bought for €70 million and now we can't get half the price for him two years later."
Saul, an Atletico Madrid youth academy star who the club made one of their foundation stones when they tied him to a nine-year contract in 2017, has also been underperforming for the last couple of seasons and has dropped off the radar for recent Spain national squad selections.
"In terms of who is Atletico's most disappointing player this season, maybe it's Saul," says Euan McTear, author of Hijacking La Liga: How Atletico Madrid Broke Barcelona and Real Madrid's Duopoly on Spanish Football. "Saul has been so consistent for so long. He's the player who has played the most minutes of any player from any team in La Liga this season.
"He's been fine. He hasn't been bad but he's never taken the step forward we expected, the way we thought he would a few years ago when, for example, he scored that goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final in 2016. It was expected by this point that he would be an absolute leader for the team—and one of the top players in Spain—but he's never really kicked on."
In a year of transition, Atletico—who remarkably have a higher wage bill than Liverpool—lost several legendary players last summer, including Griezmann, team captain Diego Godin, Juanfran and Felipe Luis, as well as Rodri and Lucas Hernandez. Their replacements have yet to impress, with the exception perhaps of Kieran Trippier, who will likely miss the Liverpool game through injury, and central defender Felipe, a 30-year-old signing from Porto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dPgXJFCNBY
The difficulty Renan Lodi—a 21-year-old recruit from Brazil—is having tying down the left flank of Atletico's defence is a grave concern, especially given 37 per cent of Liverpool's goals in the Premier League this season come from that zone of the pitch where Salah likes to wreak havoc.
In 29 games, Lodi has been withdrawn 10 times by Simeone. And there is no natural replacement for him; Saul, for example, had to slot in for Lodi when he was withdrawn early in the second half against Valencia on Friday. It is one of several headaches Simeone has to contend with, along with the whistling Simeone has been receiving from Atletico's fans for the first time in his nine-season reign as manager of Atletico.
"When Atletico were in a recent poor run of form after the Spanish Super Cup final defeat in January, with no wins in five games—which they got out of with a win against Granada—there were some fans chanting at the Wanda during a game, 'Ole, ole, ole, Cholo Simeone!,' but there were some whistles, too," says McTear.
"The fanbase is a bit divided on the Simeone question, but when it comes to a game like this against Liverpool, I don't think there is anyone else you'd want to be geeing the players up in the dressing room more than Simeone. He's done it before so many times. So many of Atletico's best performances have been in the Champions League, even look at the 2-0 versus Juventus last season at home. Simeone can squeeze it out of them."
The odds over two legs are stacked against them. Najera,like manyAtleticofans, is worried about the return game at Anfield, but at home, Atletico are almost impregnable: In 33 UEFA Champions League games under Simeone, Atletico have only lost twice, both times in pool games. Simeone will hope Liverpool are met with a wall of sound tomorrow night.
"The Wanda has the same roar as Atletico's old stadium, the Vicente Calderon," says Cazon. "It's a stadium that acoustically can be a bit poor sometimes, but it has one thing that is very favourable, the bouncing sound you get on the pitch is like a pressure cooker—it can be very disorientating for the footballers. It's going to be Simeone's biggest challenge this season, but he's faced bigger challenges before."
Saul Niguez Says Atletico Madrid 'Can Hurt Liverpool' in UCL Despite Poor Form
Feb 17, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 8: Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Granada at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 8, 2020 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez is determined to cause an upset against UEFA Champions League title-holders Liverpool and said his side "can hurt" the Reds ahead of their round-of-16 first leg on Tuesday.
Diego Simeone's side welcome Liverpool to the Wanda Metropolitano, the same venue where the Merseysiders defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in June 2019 to lift their sixth overall European title.
Jurgen Klopp's men will be favourites in Madrid following Atleti's run of one win in their last seven games, but Saul said his team can surprise the bookmakers and get fans back on their side, per the Guardian's Sid Lowe:
"There's no memory in football: What you did yesterday is no use. We had a good run before Christmas then we fell away and it was hard. People wanted to kill us. Do I think it's unfair? Honestly, yes. But it's life. People whistle Cholo [Atletico manager Simeone], important players; the fans are demanding. If we win two or three games, it'll change again. We know how we can hurt Liverpool, their strengths and weaknesses, and we always compete against big teams. We have to make the most of the home game. There will be an incredible atmosphere, more than ever."
The Spain international, 25, praised the Reds for their style of play, particularly for their work without the ball when they "press like animals."
Liverpool have taken 103 points from their last possible 105 in the Premier League, having not suffered a top-flight defeat since they fell 2-1 against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in January 2019.
Sadio Mane struck in the 78th minute to snatch the only goal and clinch their 17th successive league victory in dramatic circumstances at Norwich City on Saturday:
That ball from Hendo 🤤 That touch and finish from Mane 😍
Saul said he watched the game at Carrow Road and found fault in Liverpool's performance, the slightest fragility that his Atletico side could capitalise upon more effectively than the Canaries, perhaps:
"Liverpool are very complete, a great team in every area [but] they find it hardest when you're deep because they're very, very, very good in transition. I watched them against Norwich, and if it wasn't for Mane's extraordinary control, they don't win. They've won lots of games they could have drawn or lost, which tells you something about what they have inside. It's not luck. It's work, sacrifice, not giving up a single ball for lost."
It's precisely that hunger that has helped Liverpool establish a 25-point lead at the pinnacle of the Premier League, although second-place Manchester City have one game in hand against their peers.
Klopp said prior to the Norwich win that his focus remained fixed on the Premier League, a dedication to his craft that helped his side continue their remarkable streak, per the Liverpool Echo's Paul Gorst:
Klopp on CL game: "Sometimes when you aren't in a good moment, CL can be a holiday. We are not in that situation. We have one of the most difficult teams to play in Atletico but it is not my problem in the moment. From Monday we will be in a CL mode, if you like"
Many players might understandably feel dejected being drawn against Liverpool in the knockout stages. However, Saul is motivated to accomplish what many have failed to do this season, and when asked how to combat statistics like Liverpool's, he replied: "You break them."
Liverpool posted footage of Monday's training session at Melwood ahead of their first-leg meeting with Los Rojiblancos:
Atletico sit fourth in La Liga after they drew 2-2 away to Valencia on Friday. Getafe sit above Simeone's men in third, while Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal are among the teams also jostling for Champions League qualification.
A win over the defending kings of Europe would go a long way to restoring faith in an Atletico lineup that's stuttered this season.
Eden Hazard 'Felt Good' on Real Madrid Return, Zinedine Zidane 'Very Happy'
Feb 17, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 16: Eden Hazard of Real Madrid CF with the ball during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 16, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Eden Hazard provided a positive update on his fitness after he made his first Real Madrid appearance since November on Sunday.
Hazard played for 73 minutes in Real's 2-2 La Liga draw with Celta Vigo having been absent since November 26 when he suffered a microfracture in his ankle against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.
"I felt good," he said, per Marca's Pablo Polo. "The first 10 minutes I was tired, but as the minutes went by I felt fine. I'm happy with my performance, but not with the result. I hope we'll improve in the next few games."
Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was also pleased with Hazard on his return, per Goal: "I'm very happy with the return of Hazard, that he's back with us, he's played 70 minutes very well."
So too was goalkeeper and Belgian compatriot Thibaut Courtois:
🗣 Thibaut Courtois: “Little by little, Hazard will catch up again after three months out.
"He is a player who is worth a lot to us. We must try to work well."
Real fell behind to Fyodor Smolov's seventh-minute opener on Sunday, and Santi Mina provided a late equaliser for Celta after Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos had fired Real in front.
Hazard drew a foul from Celta 'keeper Ruben Blanco to win the penalty:
It was only the 29-year-old's ninth game in La Liga this season, but he excels at winning spot-kicks for his side:
3 - No other player has won more penalties than Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard in @LaLigaEN this season (three, level with Nabil Fekir). Danger. pic.twitter.com/KThu88mrsI
He also created three chances during the match, more than anyone else on either side, according to Goal.
ESPN FC's Alex Kirkland thought it was a fine performance from the winger, particularly given his lengthy spell on the sidelines:
Hazard was good tonight. Surprisingly sharp after almost 3 months out. Otherwise: two points dropped for RM, undone by defensive lapses in concentration and a glorious bit of play by Denis Suárez (yes you read that right Arsenal fans)
His return has come just in time for Real, who have some key fixtures rapidly approaching.
After a trip to Levante on Saturday, Los Blancos play Manchester City on February 26 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.
The Champions League will perhaps take on added importance for the Sky Blues this season. The Premier League title looks well beyond them with Liverpool 25 points clear, and they're banned from European competition for the next two seasons.
On March 1, Real face Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second Clasico of the campaign. Madrid's draw with Celta means the Blaugrana are just one point behind in La Liga with 14 games remaining.
Barcelona Legend Carles Puyol Says Lionel Messi 'Can Play Until He's 38'
Feb 17, 2020
BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 15: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Getafe at the Camp Nou on February 15, 2020 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol is confident former team-mate Lionel Messi can continue playing well into his 30s.
The Argentinian will turn 33 in June and has just one year remaining on his contract, but Puyol suggested Barca don't need to be planning for life without him just yet.
Per Marca's Joan Solsona, he said: "Messi is 32, and a player who takes care of himself like Leo does can play until he's 38. Why are we talking about a Barcelona without Messi when he's here now? What we have to do is try to win as much as possible with him."
Despite his age, Messi remains enormously effective at the Camp Nou. In 27 games this season, he has returned 19 goals and 16 assists.
By his own impeccable standards, he is enduring something of a goal drought, though, as Squawka's Muhammad Butt observed in Barca's 2-1 win over Getafe on Saturday:
Messi's finishing is similarly wayward. think he's had 33 shots (inc. blocks) without scoring now? first time he's gone four starts without a goal since Tata back in 2014.
Barca should be concerned about Messi's future, though. His contract expires in 2021, and he can leave this summer for free thanks to a clause in it, according to the Guardian's Sid Lowe.
Despite a public spat with sporting director Eric Abidal earlier in February, it still seems unlikely Messi will leave the club anytime soon given his stated intention to retire at the Camp Nou. However, even if his long-term future at the club is secured, he will eventually decline, and Barcelona haven't managed to surround him with a team capable of adequately supporting him as he enters his twilight years.
Neymar looked set to be his heir before his departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, and the two arrivals his exit helped to fund—Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho—have not worked out.
The former has spent much of his time at the Camp Nou injured, while the latter was sent to Bayern Munich on loan in the summer after failing to impress.
The club also signed Frenkie de Jong and Griezmann last summer. They have yet to set the world alight, either, although they are still adapting—and De Jong is only 22, so the jury is still out on them.
Barcelona have won 10 La Liga titles since Messi made his debut in the 2004-05 season, as well as six Copas del Rey and four UEFA Champions Leagues. Messi can still play a key role to help the team to add to those tallies in the coming years, but the club needs to recognise he will be less capable of doing it all on his own.
Toni Kroos, Suso and La Liga Team of the Week After Matchday 24
Feb 17, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 16: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid reacts during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 16, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Perez Meca/MB Media/Getty Images)
Barcelona moved within one point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid in Week 24. The Blaugrana beat Getafe 2-1 at home before Los Blancos were held to a surprise 2-2 draw at home by Celta Vigo.
Zinedine Zidane's side dropped points despite Toni Kroos continuing his scoring streak against Celta, while second-place Barca have now won their last three league games in succession.
Two points separate Getafe in third from fifth-place Sevilla, who drew 2-2 at home against the visiting Espanyol despite the valiant efforts of on-loan winger Suso.
Valencia and Atletico Madrid also shared the spoils following their own 2-2 draw at the Mestalla, where midfield stars Geoffrey Kondogbia and Thomas Partey were each on the scoresheet for their respective sides.
Osasuna were the only away team to win in Week 24 when they travelled to Athletic Bilbao for a Basque derby, emerging as 1-0 victors thanks to a resolute defensive performance against Los Leones.
Week 24 Results
Valencia 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Mallorca 1-0 Alaves
Barcelona 2-1 Getafe
Villarreal 2-1 Levante
Granada 2-1 Real Valladolid
Sevilla 2-2 Espanyol
Leganes 0-0 Real Betis
Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Osasuna
Real Madrid 2-2- Celta Vigo
GK: Fernando Pacheco, Alaves
It's not often the goalkeeper from a losing side finds their way into the Team of the Week. However, Alaves stopper Fernando Pacheco was unfortunate to not prevent his team losing 1-0 at Mallorca after he contributed five saves—including a penalty—more than any other goalkeeper in La Liga during Week 24.
RB: Daniel Wass, Valencia
Former midfielder Daniel Wass continues to look settled in his right-back role at Valencia and played a leading part in their draw with Atletico.
La Liga writer Alexandra Jonson previously hailed the Dane's versatility:
Daniel Wass the player who can play everywhere! (can’t wait to see him as goalkeeper someday)
Wass won a joint-match-high of six aerial duels, made three tackles and took 103 touches at the Mestalla—only team-mate Dani Parejo had more.
LB: Junior Firpo, Barcelona
There may have been a slight sense of panic at the Camp Nou when Jordi Alba was forced off after 17 minutes with a groin injury, but left-back replacement Junior Firpo steadied any nerves with his display:
The former Real Betis star came on and assisted Sergi Roberto for what would be the eventual winner against Getafe, and he completed 95 per cent of his passes.
CB: Dimitrios Siovas, Leganes
Betis had a measly three attempts on goal when they drew 0-0 at Leganes on Sunday, and defender Dimitrios Siovas was largely to thank for the home side's clean slate.
The Greece international completed three tackles on the day—Betis midfielder Carles Alena (four) was the only player to make more—and won a match-high of five aerial battles.
CB: Unai Garcia, Osasuna
One week after netting a surprise opener in Osasuna's 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid, Unai Garcia impressed for more traditional reasons as a defender in their derby win at Athletic. He was the only Osasuna defender to complete a tackle (two in total) and won four aerial duels in a tireless outing.
CM: Thomas Partey, Atletico Madrid
There were a selection of impressive midfield performances at the Mestalla on Friday, but Atleti anchor Partey dazzled with a leader's display as Diego Simeone's side took arguably the more valuable point.
The Ghana star led the visitors in touches (70) and dribbles (four), not to mention his goal just before half-time temporarily steered Atletico in front.
CM: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid
Kroos was in the right place at the right time to side-foot home Real's equaliser early in the second half against Celta Vigo, cancelling out Fedor Smolov's shock opener at the Santiago Bernabeu:
HIGHLIGHTS | @SantiMina7 scored with his first touch as @RCCeltaEN stunned the Bernabeu! 💙😱
He also completed 93 per cent of his passes, winning three tackles and three aerial duels.
Sportswriter Euan McTear highlighted the German's apparent dislike for the Galician outfit:
6 goals now for Toni Kroos vs Celta Vigo in his career. That's double the number he has against his next favourite victims. What did they ever do to piss off Kroos in Vigo?
Kondogbia scored his first league goal of the season to secure a point for Valencia at home to Los Rojiblancos. He won more tackles (four) and aerial duels (four) than any other player for Los Che, proving his importance in both defence and attack.
RW: Suso, Sevilla
Both Sevilla wingers make it into the Team of the Week after Suso and Lucas Ocampos assisted one another in a 2-2 home draw with Espanyol:
Suso—on loan from AC Milan—netted his first Sevilla goal in the 80th minute and completed an audacious total of five dribbles, at least two more than any other player on the pitch:
Former Marseille and Monaco star Ocampos continues to excel in Seville. The Argentinian was unfortunate to not have scored more than once against Espanyol after hitting the target with two of his four attempts, settling for a goal and an assist.
ST: Gerard Moreno, Villarreal
Gerard Moreno moved on to double-digit goals in La Liga after he cut inside to curl home the breakthrough in a narrow 2-1 win at home to Levante on Saturday, via Premier Sports (UK viewers only):
💛 Gerard Moreno puts Villarreal in front with a ruthless finish!
The versatile forward set up team-mate Moi Gomez for the winner around the hour mark, scoring and assisting in the same match for the third time in La Liga this season.
La Liga Winners and Losers After Final 2020 Week 24 Table
Feb 16, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 16: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Gareth Bale of Real Madrid looks on during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 16, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alejandro/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Gareth Bale struggled to inspire Real Madrid on a night when struggling Celta Vigo held the leaders in La Liga to a 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Celta claimed a precious point thanks to Santi Mina's equaliser, good enough to lift Oscar Garcia Junyent's team out of the bottom three on Sunday night.
The bigger story is at the top, where Los Blancos are now just a point clear of rivals Barcelona. Real's old enemy had already closed the gap after edging past tough Getafe on Saturday, with Antoine Griezmann rediscovering the finishing touch in front of goal.
Despite the setback, Getafe are still third and in the thick of the scramble for a place in next season's UEFA Champions League football. By contrast, playing in a European tournament during the 2020/21 campaign may be an impossible dream for Athletic Bilbao after the Basque club slipped to a costly defeat at home to Osasuna on Sunday.
Taking a point from the home of the leaders is all the proof Celta should need that they can beat the drop. If the result isn't enough to convince Junyent's players, then the quality of their performance should.
Celta went to the Spanish capital and took the game to Real from the off. An enterprising midfield led by Barca loanee Rafinha Alcantara moved the ball with pace and purpose between the lines.
Alcantara's ingenuity kept the supply flowing toward intelligent attacking talisman Iago Aspas and powerhouse Fedor Smolov. They combined for the opener, with Aspas feeding the man on loan from Lokomotiv Moscow in the seventh minute.
Later, it was left to Denis Suarez to provide the key pass for Mina. Suarez, who has spent time at Barcelona and had loan spells with Sevilla and Arsenal, possesses the technical quality to make a difference in forward areas.
📸 That feeling when you earn a point at the Bernabeu for the first time since 2006...
It's a trait common throughout the top end of this Celta team. This is a group loaded with a collection of match-winners too good for the drop.
Loser: Gareth Bale
Things didn't go well for Bale, who still has a lot to do before he gets sections of Real's fanbase back on his side.
Teams just read out at the Santiago Bernabéu. "With the number 11, Gareth..." Couldn't hear anybody chant out Bale's name after that. There were some whistles, though...#RealMadridCelta
The Welshman's critics will feel vindicated after the way Eden Hazard upstaged Bale. An ankle problem had kept Hazard out since November, but the former Chelsea ace looked like he'd never been away during a performance defined by wizardry and daring.
Next to Hazard, Bale looked downright soporific. He was at least a yard off the pace and rarely showed the requisite quality when it came to picking a pass or applying the finishing touch:
Real need more from Bale while Hazard is working his way back to full fitness. Manager Zinedine Zidane can't be left to rely on developing 19-year-olds Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to provide overworked centre-forward Karim Benzema with the support he's been lacking.
Winner: Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann's first season at the Camp Nou has so far been a trying experience. The Frenchman has rarely shown the pace, timing and cool finishing that made him a star for Real Sociedad and then Atletico Madrid.
Griezmann looked sharp against Getafe, though. He was making runs early and often, intelligently moving from out to in whenever Lionel Messi dropped off to give him space.
The Messi and Griezmann partnership is supposed to work the way it did in the 33rd minute when the former's inch-perfect pass released the latter, who calmly slotted the ball into the net.
Keeping Griezmann on song will be key for Quique Setien. The Barca boss needs Griezmann firing with Ousmane Dembele out for the season with a hamstring injury, while Luis Suarez is sidelined until April.
Loser: Athletic Bilbao's European Hopes
Athletic have been a Europa League fixture in recent seasons, but the chances of keeping the run going look bleak following Sunday's reversal. Oier Sanjurjo's goal at San Mames Stadium drew Osasuna level on points with Athletic.
Rekindling hope of finishing in the European places will demand more goals from a team with only 23 to its credit through 24 games this season. Inaki Williams has the pace to frighten and stretch any defence, but manager Gaizka Garitano has failed to replace the aerial power and eye for goal of Aritz Aduriz in the starting lineup.
👴 Oldest goalscorers in Europe's top five leagues this season (age at time of last goal):
🥇 Aritz Aduriz - 38 years, 6 months, 6 days 🥈 Joaquin - 38 years, 5 months, 30 days 🥉 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 38 years, 4 months, 6 days pic.twitter.com/qRvTEuYWsj
Aduriz is now 39, but he remains the most accomplished finisher in the squad. It hasn't helped the goals have dried up for another veteran, 33-year-old attacking midfielder Raul Garcia.
Athletic need Iker Muniain's quick brain and clever touches back in the fold, as well as more telling contributions from left-winger Ibai Gomez. Without them, this team won't merit a place at one of Europe's top tables next season.
La Liga Table 2020 Week 24: Standings and Final Scores After Sunday
Feb 16, 2020
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior (up) challenges Celta Vigo's Spanish goalkeeper Ruben Blanco Veiga during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 16, 2020. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP) (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid dropped two points in the La Liga title race on Sunday, courtesy of a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo in Week 24.
The hosts did well to come back from a goal down, only to squander their lead in the final minutes.
Sevilla also dropped precious points yet again in a draw against Espanyol, and Athletic's struggles continued in a home loss against Osasuna. Here are Sunday's full results:
A late equaliser from Santi Mina saw Los Blancos slump to a draw against Celta, meaning their lead at the top of the standings is just one point after Week 24.
It was former Barcelona man Denis Suarez who proved the difference-maker with a sensational assist in the final minutes:
Fedor Smolov opened the scoring in the first half, and the Galicians were arguably the better side before the break. Toni Kroos tied things up after the break, and the returning Eden Hazard earned his team a penalty that Sergio Ramos converted.
The Belgian played well in his first match back from injury:
Eden Hazard created more chances (3) than any other player on the pitch during his LaLiga return vs. Celta Vigo, also winning a penalty.
The late equaliser ruined the party at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, however, and with Barcelona beating Getafe on Saturday, the gap at the top is just a single point.
Sevilla are winless in their last three outings after Sunday's home draw against Espanyol, La Liga's last-placed team. The home fans were far from happy:
Sevilla 2-2 Espanyol and whistles at the Sánchez Pizjuán.
Lucas Ocampos gave the Andalusian hosts the lead, but Adri Embarba and Wu Lei turned the situation around for the visitors.
Victor Sanchez was sent off for Espanyol, but while Suso found an equaliser, Sevilla could not find a winner. They remain tied for fourth place as a result, but Villarreal, Valencia and Real Sociedad are right on their tails.
Athletic have been falling down the standings for some time, and after yet another defeat, panic may start to set in at the San Mames. They are winless in their last nine matches:
An absolutely huge win for Osasuna at San Mamés! 👏
This is their first win at the new San Mamés and their first away win against Athletic Club since 2007
Meanwhile, Los Leones are winless in their last 9 in the league 👀
Oier scored the only goal of the match, avenging the defeat that ended their lengthy unbeaten run at home earlier this season.
Real Betis have fallen out of the race for Europe after a fourth straight match without a win, playing out a drab 0-0 draw at Leganes.
Real Madrid Draw vs. Celta Vigo, Edge Ahead of Barcelona at Top of La Liga
Feb 16, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 16: Eden Hazard of Real Madrid competes for the ball with Aidoo of Celta de Vigo during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 16, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Real Madrid moved a point clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga despite being held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegation-threatened Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Santi Mina's 85th-minute equaliser cancelled out a comeback from Los Blancos after Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos had found the net. The latter scored from the penalty spot when the returning Eden Hazard won a foul in the box.
Kroos and Ramos brought the leaders back after Fedor Smolov had given Celta a shock early edge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The stalemate in the Spanish capital was enough to move Celta above Mallorca and out of the bottom three.
Celta may be struggling, but the visitors can always count on Iago Aspas for inspiration. The cerebral forward was in the mood early, showcasing neat touches and deft flicks.
One of Aspas' best touches saw Celta's skipper tee up Smolov to leave Real stunned in the seventh minute. It was a classic case of history repeating itself for the Galician club:
1 - Fedor Smolov is the first Russian player to score at Santiago Bernabéu in @LaLigaEN since Alexandr Mostovoi in May 2003, scoring both for Celta de Vigo. Legacy. pic.twitter.com/yPdfuJbSqF
The home side's initial response was meagre, with defensive midfielder Casemiro getting his head to a Hazard corner. Casemiro was ironically becoming Real's biggest threat going forward, blasting a shot over the bar after being played in by Gareth Bale.
Casemiro's involvement in the final third only emphasised how little influence the hosts' primary attackers were exerting. Karim Benzema appeared ready to respond to the challenge, but he couldn't get his shot off after beating Celta markers to Dani Carvajal's cross.
Bale and Marcelo also failed to find their range from distance, while Ramos fluffed his lines from close range during what was proving to be a frustrating half for the league leaders.
Ramos arrives at back post. Kicks ball into own face. Been one of those nights for Madrid so far.
It should have been 2-0 a minute before the break, but Aspas inexplicably headed wide from inside the box. Celta's main man had been afforded too much time and space in the area by a Real defence as sluggish as the team's forward line.
The lone bright spot for Los Merengues came from Hazard's performance. His debut season in Spain has been blighted by injury, but the Belgian winger was impressive on his return from a lengthy absence after an ankle injury:
Hazard looking very sharp in first 45 mins for 3 months. Double [48-24] touches of Bale, and working much better with Benzema.
Real appeared to be floundering but needed just seven minutes of the second half to draw level. Marcelo was at the heart of the move, picking out Kroos so the midfielder could finish smartly.
Kroos is usually defined by his creativity, but the Germany international has been showcasing a keen eye for goal this season:
Toni Kroos has now scored five goals across all competitions in 2019/20, his joint-best single-season tally for Los Blancos.
While Kroos had found the finishing touch, Hazard was still proving a constant menace. His quick, clever feet won a penalty when Ruben Blanco was drawn into a reckless challenge four minutes after the hour mark.
Ramos coolly tucked away the penalty to give Real their first lead of the day. His knack for finding the net has served Los Blancos well down the years:
The goal should have been enough for Real to earn another win, but the profligacy up front meant the points weren't safe headed into the final five minutes. Celta made Real pay when former Barcelona playmaker Denis Suarez threaded a smart pass into the path of Mina, who made no mistake.
Benzema went close twice late on, but his wayward efforts epitomised a below-par day for Zidane Zinedine's primary goal-getters. Dropping two points in a winnable home fixture has returned momentum to Barca in the title race.
Meanwhile, Celta must take earning a result here as proof this squad has too much quality to go down.
What's Next?
Real are away to Levante on Saturday, while Celta will host Leganes earlier the same day.
