Barcelona faced a 2-1 defeat despite starting key players Pedri, de Jong and Robert Lewandowski as Xavi’s side couldn’t click together to carry the day at Estadio de Vallecas. Whereas, Atletico Madrid made a remarkable comeback to win 3-1 over Mallorca as they celebrate their 120th anniversary.
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Disappointingly, goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will have to wait for another match to potentially break the club’s all-time clean sheet record after Rayo Vallecano stunned the league leaders.
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Scorers: Rivera 19′, García 53′; Lewandowski 83′
Álvaro García Rivera scored as Barcelona struggled in the attack with Ter Stegen making multiple saves for the Blaugrana.
Then even with the advantage, the hosts refused to sit back after the break and Fran García (formerly of Real Madrid Castilla) stole the ball off De Jong and beat Ter Stegen one-on-one.
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Barcelona’s poor passing became a factor, and the leaders were puzzled as to how to get back into the tie despite 60% possession of the ball.
Lewandowski pounced on a loose ball for 2-1 in the final moments, but it was too little, too late for the visitors. However, the result means Barcelona missed a chance to go 14 clear at the top over Real Madrid, while Rayo Vallecano now sits ninth.
Atletico Madrid’s win celebrates 120 years
It was a night of celebration with two reasons in place as Atlético de Madrid celebrated their 120th anniversary with a comeback win over Mallorca.
Scorers: De Paul 45+2′, Morata 47′, Carrasco 77′; Nastasić 20′
The hosts registered 16 shots to one in the first half, however, the visitors took the lead at the Wanda when Rodrigo de Paul, Antoine Griezmann and Axel Witsel were caught sleeping while defending a corner.
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Matija Nastasić was subsequently unmarked at the back post and headed home for 1-0.
Diego Simeone’s side thought they would finally be awarded their first penalty of the season when Nahuel Molina went down in the box, but VAR reversed the decision.
However, just before the break, De Paul hit the ball sweetly to equalise and the momentum then carried over for the hosts afterwards.
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Within seconds of the restart, Álvaro Morata leapt highest and thumped Molina’s cross into the net for the eventual winner.
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A stunning solo run from Yannick Carrasco ensured all three points remained with Simeone’s side, and the club sits two points off of second place Real Madrid while Mallorca are 11th and just so you know, Real Madrid was thumped 4-2 by an inspired Taty Castellanos of Girona yesterday.
