Ramos’s goal saves Real
Big game ends in stalemate
SERGIO Ramos’s stoppage-time equaliser maintained Real Madrid’s six-point lead at the top of La Liga as the European champions salvaged a 1-1 draw at Barcelona in Saturday’s El Clasico.
Luis Suarez looked to have breathed new life into the title race when he headed home the opener from Neymar’s freekick eight minutes into the second half.
Neymar and Lionel Messi then passed up huge chances to add to Barca’s advantage, and the hosts were made to pay when Real captain Ramos met Luka Modric’s free-kick with a powerful header to stretch Madrid’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 33 games.
“I have to once again highlight the heart of this team, they believed until the end and got the draw which is important,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
Barca coach Luis Enrique lamented his side’s luck, but also blamed a lack of efficiency in front of goal as, for a fourth time in seven home league games, the Catalans dropped points.
“The performance of the team was better than the opponent in my opinion. Football has been unfair to us,” said Enrique.
“It is a huge blow for all of us but we have only played 14 games in the league and there is a long way to go.
“We have to improve our performance and get better results, especially at home, because we are miles off where we want to be.”
Before kick-off both sides paid homage to the 71 victims that wiped out almost the entirety of Brazilian side Chapecoense’s squad in a plane crash in Colombia last week.
Barcelona enjoyed the majority of possession, but with captain Andres Iniesta left on the bench on his return from a twomonth injury layoff, lacked the creativity to break down Madrid before the break.
A fine night for Real was rounded off as Atletico Madrid remain nine points back in fourth after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Espanyol.
Indeed, the Champions League finalists were thankful to goalkeeper Jan Oblak for even a point as he made brilliant saves.
Third-placed Sevilla also slipped to defeat as Granada moved off the bottom with their first win of the season 2-1 at Nuevo Los Carmenes. — AFP