Barcelona sneak past Getafe to maintain pressure on Real
BARCELONA:BARCELONA beat thirdplaced Getafe 2-1 at home on Saturday to stay on the heels of La Liga title rivals Real Madrid but the champions were made to sweat for all three points by the impressive visitors.
Antoine Griezmann sent the Catalans ahead in the 34th minute with a cool finish with the outside of his left foot after being played in by an outstanding pass from Lionel Messi, while Sergi Roberto doubled Barca’s lead five minutes later.
Getafe pulled a goal back in the 66th with a stunning volley from striker Angel Rodriguez, who almost snatched an equaliser but was denied by Barca keeper Marc-andre ter Stegen, who then flew to the floor to prevent Jaime Mata netting on the rebound.
The victory took Barcelona level on 52 points with Real Madrid, who lead the standings on goal difference and host Celta Vigo on Sunday. Getafe stay third on 42.
ALBA SUFFERS INJURY AHEAD OF NAPOLI TIE
BARCELONA: Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba hobbled off in the 20th minute of the Spanish champions’ La Liga game against Getafe on Saturday with an apparent right thigh injury.
The 30-year-old left the field wincing in pain and was replaced by Junior Firpo.
It is the third injury for the Spain international this season, having spent two spells on the sidelines with injuries to his left thigh. Quique Setien’s Barca visit Napoli in their Champions League last-16 first leg on February 25, before the return game on March 18.
The Catalans led their thirdplaced opponents 2-0 at half-time at the Camp Nou.
ATLETICO HELD AT VALENCIA 2-2
MADRID: Atletico Madrid were twice pegged back in Friday’s 2-2 draw at Valencia to keep Diego Simeone’s side in fourth in La Liga ahead of Liverpool’s visit next week.
Atletico host the runaway Premier League leaders at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday.
This was Atletico’s 10th stalemate of the season and it left them on 40 points, with Valencia in sixth, two points adrift.