Atletico beaten at tiny Eibar
EIBAR, SPAIN: Atletico Madrid’s hopes of getting back into the Spanish title race faded even further with a 2-0 defeat away by struggling Eibar in La Liga here on Saturday.
The tiny Basque side, who have the smallest stadium in La Liga, took the lead in the 10th minute when Esteban Burgos stabbed home from close range at the far post after Atletico failed to properly defend a corner.
Atletico, who lost Super Cup final to Real Madrid on penalties, were without captain Koke plus defenders Kieran Trippier and Jose Gimenez.
Edu Exposito’s thumping shot from the edge of the area in the 90th minute sealed Eibar’s first victory in 12 top-flight games against Atletico and took them seven points clear of the relegation zone. Atleti, meanwhile, are third on 35 points, eight behind leaders Real Madrid and five behind champions Barcelona who play Granada on Sunday.
Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez said, “We made a bad start yet again and it’s been happening a lot recently. We really struggled to get going, we lacked hunger after being on a good run. This is a tough blow for us.”
INTER MILAN HELD 1-1 BY LECCE IN SERIE A
LECCE,ITALY:INTER Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-battling Lecce in Serie A on Sunday, dropping points for the second weekend in a row.
Inter substitute Alessandro Bastoni headed in a second-half opener four minutes after coming on, but Lecce soon drew level through captain Marco Mancosu.
Marcelo Brozovic hit the post for Inter in the first half but Lecce, who went into the game on a fourmatch losing run and without a home win all season, went close to grabbing a late victory when Filippo Falco’s free kick struck the woodwork. Antonio Conte’s side, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta last Saturday, are second and one point behind leaders Juventus. Lecce remain in 17th place on 16 points, one above the relegation zone.