A Real problem
“No matter what the table is like Madrid-Barca is always an attractive game, but winning La Liga depends on winning all the points beforehand,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. “Today we had a very good opportunity and we couldn’t take the points.” Neymar picked up the first red card of his Barcelona career for two bookable offences as the Catalans were left to rue letting Sandro Ramirez join Malaga for free last summer. Sandro exposed some awful defending from Jeremy Mathieu to sprint clear on goal and slot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his near post.
Neymar had been shown his first booking for delaying a Malaga freekick whilst tying his shoelaces and stupidly charged into Diego Llorente 25 minutes from time to see red.
Malaga picked off the 10 men in the final minute when Pablo Fornals unselfishly squared for Jony to smash home from close range.
Barca’s defeat meant Real’s disappointment earlier in the day was short lived.
Pepe’s towering header early in the second half looked to have Real heading five points clear at the top in the Madrid derby.
However, Griezmann rounded Keylor Navas to slot home at the near post five minutes from time.
After a slow start, Real took control of the game as the first half wore on and only two stunning stops prevented Zidane’s men from taking a half-time lead.
Firstly, Jan Oblak tipped over Karim Benzema’s effort after a neat one-two with Ronaldo had freed the Frenchman inside the box.
Real started the second half with intent as Ronaldo headed just wide before Oblak had to rush from his goal to block Benzema’s volley from point-blank range.
The European champions finally made the breakthrough seven minutes into the second period when Pepe rose highest in a crowded penalty area from Toni Kroos’s freekick to power a header into the far corner.
However, Atletico responded to falling behind and should have been level on the hour mark when Yannick Carrasco played in Fernando Torres clear on goal.
The former Spanish international failed to finish, though, as he fired straight at the onrushing Navas.
Navas has faced a barrage of criticsm this season, but he made another smart stop to deny Griezmann levelling with an outrageous overhead kick attempt.
The French international wasn’t to be denied from an excellent through ball from Angel Correa with five minutes remaining, however, as he coolly fired past the advancing Navas at the near post for his 23rd goal of the season. – AFP