Barcelona’s wins concern Madrid

Madrid, Oct. 5: Real Madrid could have been forgiven for watching on with envy as Barcelona lifted the mood with a rousing win over Tottenham on Wednesday.

Spain’s established pair have endured a turbulent fortnight, registering just one win between them in six league games. While the Champions League offered Barca some respite, Madrid’s dip only deepened.

A strong start saw some predicting the European champions might even improve without Cristiano Ronaldo. After three opening wins, Madrid looked more balanced and better suited to gleaning the best from Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

But Benzema was chief among those that failed to deliver in the 0- 1 loss to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, the sharpness of his earlyseason form gone, just like his team’s. It was Madrid’s third game without a win, and without a goal either.

Bale was absent in Russia with a minor groin strain, which he could shake off in time for Saturday’s trip to Alaves and they will be desperate to have him back. However, Isco, Marcelo and Dani Carvajal, who all give attacking impetus to varying degrees, are unlikely to return before the international break.

Messi on song

In Spain, when Madrid or Barca do well, the other seems automatically to be doing badly and Real’s defeat by CSKA was compounded by Barcelona’s victory 24 hours later at Wembley.

Lionel Messi is staying true to his word of an allout assault on Europe this season. He now has five goals from two games in this year’s competition.

Sancho rewarded

Borussia Dortmund teen Jadon Sancho was a surprise selection as England manager Gareth Southgate named a 25- man squad on Thursday for this month’s Nations League matches away to Croatia and Spain.

Mason Mount and James Maddison were also given their first senior England call- ups by Southgate as it was announced that the 48year- old had signed a new contract with them. — AFP