In the midst of a crisis after the announcement of the departure at the end of the season of its coach Spain thanks to the first goal of Brazilian Vitor Roque. The 18-year-old striker, who arrived in January after a transfer estimated at 40 million euros concluded this summer, perfectly headed a cross from the outside of Cancelo’s foot (63rd, 1-0), a few seconds only after it comes into play.
A first goal from the Brazilian international hopefuls, nicknamed “Tigrinho” (little tiger), which allows Barça to breathe a little. Xavi’s men, who announced his departure at the end of the season after the 5-3 defeat against Villarreal on Saturday at home, are fourth in the La Liga standings and are provisionally seven points behind Real Madrid (2nd, 54 points) and eight from Girona (1st, 55 points). “This victory feels good, it was difficult given what we have just experienced,” midfielder Pedri told DAZN. “The championship is complicated, but I have seen much worse situations that have been rectified. We will try to continue to progress three points at a time and see if the teams at the top of the table make any missteps,” he added.
Barcelona nevertheless lost a ninth player to injury, Ferran Torres having been forced to give way to Fermin Lopez in the 5th minute by touching the back of his right thigh. Sluggish again despite the good intentions and dynamism of the two talents of the Masia Fermin Lopez, 20 years old, and Lamine Yamal, 16 years old, the Catalans relied on their latest Brazilian recruit to beat an almost harmless Basque team and who ended the match at ten.
Later in the evening, Dutch striker Memphis Depay scored a third goal in three games to allow Atlético Madrid to win the Madrid derby against their neighbor Rayo Vallecano at the Metropolitano (2-1). The former Olympique Lyonnais striker, established on the attacking front, gave his team victory in the 90th minute by taking in a tense cross from Antoine Griezmann, who had been left to rest for the first time of the season in La Liga. A fifth consecutive victory in all competitions for the Colchoneros, who once again overtake FC Barcelona in third place in the championship thanks to a better goal difference (47 points each). The rojiblanco club is temporarily seven lengths behind Real Madrid and eight behind Girona, like Barça.
Diego Simeone’s men opened the scoring in the first half with a header from former Lille player Reinildo (35th, 1-0), before Alvaro Garcia equalized with a cross shot from the left (42nd, 1 -1). Uncompromising at home since the start of the season, Atlético has not lost at its stadium for 28 matches, more than a year (1-0 defeat against FC Barcelona on January 8, 2023).
