Nine-Man Barcelona Win Again as Madrid Keep Pace
SPAIN – A two-man disadvantaged Barcelona were still too good for Getafe at the Nou Camp on Saturday evening as Barcelona ran out 2-1 winners with goals from Lionel Messi and Xavi. The impressive Roberto Soldado pulled one back for Getafe through a late penalty but it wasn’t enough.
Barcelona attacked Getafe straight from the off and when Messi picked up the ball in the fourth minute and unleashed a shot it was just off target.
Just three minutes later though, his aim was spot on. The visitors failed to clear a corner and Yaya Toure set up the ball for Messi to curl through a group of players into the bottom corner.
Barcelona doubled their lead in the 67th minute when substitute Rafael Marquez set up a slick counter attack which saw the incredible Messi dance past a host of players before giving it to Xavi to finish off.
Marquez managed to give away a penalty and earn himself a red card in the dying moments of the game, and Soldado rolled the ball into the net from the spot kick.
The two red cards collected by Barcelona seemed to put a dampener on the victory as star midfielder Iniesta told reporters after the match that, “the referee hurt us dramatically with the decisions he has taken and we can do little about it.”
Real Madrid managed to keep up the pace with Barca as they beat Espanyol 2-0 at home. Los Blancos boss Pellegrini was very pleased with the victory and also optimistic about his side’s chances of catching Barcelona as he told Marca “we have eleven wins at home. In that respect, we are satisfied. There are still seventeen league games left.”
“We will see what happens. The future cannot be predicted. Barcelona are on top on merit.”
Is Pellegrini right to be optimistic about Madrid’’s chances of Primera Division success? Barcelona are currently 1.33 to retain the championship with Real Madrid available at 3.25 to wrestle the title back from Barca. Valencia are outsiders at 34.00.
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