Barcelona’s lead at the top of the La Liga table was preserved at seven points on Saturday, after Real and Atletico played out a 1-1 draw in a pulsating clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Here at SBOTOP we previewed this game and backed Under 2.50 goals, and so it turned out as Diego Simeone’s Atletico frustrated their hosts as a well organised unit which knows how to grind out results when it matters.
And the Madrid derby matters!
It looked to be going Los Blancos’ way as tempers flared when Atleti winger Angel Correa elbowed Anton Rudiger and received a straight red card. That was on 66 minutes and the home crowd became increasingly expectant.
But Atleti have guts… and plenty of quality, and two of their biggest stars linked to give them a surprise lead with just 12 minutes remaining. Antoine Griezmann swung in a brilliant free kick, which centre back Jose Gimenez met with a firm header which flew into the net and sent the red and white half of Madrid into ecstasy.
Then it was backs to the wall stuff for the remaining minutes and few neutrals would expect Atleti to buckle; but their resistance was broken when 18 year old Alvaro Rodriguez scored with a header from a Luka Modric corner. This was only the second appearance for Rodriguez after he set up a goal on his debut against Osasuna last week; and this goal already makes him a hero at the Bernabeu.
When the final whistle blew it signalled a decent day for Los Rojiblancos, a frustrating day for Real Madrid and a good one for Barcelona, who can increase their lead at the top of the table to ten points with a victory over Almeria on Sunday.
Nine-man Elche pay a harsh penalty
Real Betis came from two goals behind to grab a late, late win away to bottom club Elche to move to within two points of Atletico in fourth place. But the nature of the defeat could hardly have been worse for the hosts as they had three players sent off and conceded three penalties!
Elche went two up within ten minutes when VAR awarded a penalty, converted by Fidel, and Lucas Boyle doubled the lead two minutes later. But in the second half, with a great chance to earn a second victory of the campaign the hosts imploded in spectacular fashion. First Lisandro Magallan was red carded, on 57 minutes, and unused substitute Pape Diop was also sent off for his protests.
Betis threw everything at their hosts and Borja Iglesias halved the deficit from the penalty spot, before setting up the leveller for Juan Miranda. With just two minutes remaining Iglesias had a chance to win it with his second penalty of the game but Elche keeper Edgar Badia made a great save.
Pablo Machin’s side thought they’d escaped with a point but, deep into injury time, Enzo Roco handled, earned his second yellow and an early bath, and Willian Jose stepped up to slam home the spot-kick.
New manager bounce helps struggling Valencia to stun Sociedad
Valencia’s new boss Ruben Baraja endeared himself to the demanding Mestalla crowd thanks to a shock win at home to third placed Real Sociedad. It was one of the biggest La Liga 2023 results of the weekend as an own goal, courtesy of Igor Zubeldia, gave Los Ches a lead just before half time and they worked hard to preserve that advantage for the next hour.
Lino came close to doubling the lead but his effort hit the crossbar and Valencia were awarded a second half penalty when Hugo Duro was felled in the area; but the award was overturned by VAR. That decision added more pressure the hosts and they had to withstand a furious onslaught from La Real; but Baraja’s team fought their way to a vital three points which lifted them outside the bottom three.
It was a first victory for Valencia in nine league games and a first for the club since the sacking of Gennaro Gattuso at the end of January. It’s a small step and, having played a game more than their relegation rivals Los Ches could slip back into the bottom three, but it was a big win which they can build on.
For Sociedad it was a disaster. A run of just two wins from the last six games has seen the end of their faint title hopes and has left La Real just a single point ahead of Atleti and three ahead of Betis.
The battle for the top four is hotting up, but the La Liga 2023 betting odds say the title is Barca’s to lose.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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