MADRID: Offering a chance to make a move on League leaders Real Madrid, both Girona and Barcelona meekly surrendered points on Sunday. After Real Madrid were held to a draw at Valencia last night, surprise title challengers Girona had a chance to reverse their recent slump and regain some ground. But they continued to slump as they lost 1-0 in Mallorca. That gave giants Catalan rivals Barcelona a chance at second place, but they were held to a 0-0 draw late on in Bilbao.
Girona remained second, seven points behind Real and Barcelona a further point behind. Atlético Madrid strengthened their hold on fourth place by beating Betis 2-1. On Saturday, Real Madrid drew 2-2 at Valencia in a game that ended in controversy as Jude Bellingham, who thought he had just scored the winner, was sent off for protesting after his strike was ruled out as the referee blew the final whistle. . On Sunday in Palma, Mallorca, fresh from the Copa del Rey final, scored the only goal after 33 minutes.
After a corner, the ball bounced off Mallorca’s Cyle Larin and fell to Jose-Manuel Copete less than 10 meters out. The defender hit a shot off the underside of the bar. Girona had a slight edge in possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances as they failed to score for the third time in five games. “I’m disappointed with the result, but not with the team’s attitude,” Girona coach Michel Sanchez said. The win lifted Mallorca to 15th place, eight points clear of the relegation places.
Barcelona ended their visit to Bilbao with a goalless draw at walking pace. “We didn’t play a good game, we attacked poorly,” coach Xavi said. “We didn’t play our best. The game demanded more from us. It’s a missed opportunity. The team could have done more.” Barcelona also suffered potentially costly injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, who departed in tears. Bilbao, who also reached the Spanish Cup final in midweek, remained fifth, five points behind Atletico Madrid, the only top-half team to win at the weekend.
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In the afternoon, Atletico took the lead against Betis after eight minutes with the help of the visitors. Memphis Depay crossed for Alvaro Morata, who was lurking at the far post, but the ball never reached the Spanish striker as three Betis players combined to put the ball into their own net.
Hector Bellerin played the ball to fellow German Pezzella, who deflected it towards the line, where goalkeeper Rui Silva could only parry it into his own goal. Rui Silva brought down Morata and conceded a penalty in the 27th minute, but the keeper saved Morata’s spot-kick and two subsequent attempts. Morata found the target in the 43rd minute when he nodded in a rebound from close range after Rui Silva saved Rodrigo de Paulo’s shot. “It was a well-deserved victory,” said Atlético coach Diego Simeone.
“We needed it. William Carvalho pulled one back for Betis from long range after 62 minutes. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak pushed Guido Rodriguez’s shot onto the post as Atlético absorbed Betis’ late pressure. In the opening match of the day, Alexander Sorloth scored a hat-trick as Villarreal crushed struggling Granada 5-1.
