Under-strength Barca survive Celta fightback to stay unbeaten

Runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona held on to draw 2-2 at Celta Vigo on Tuesday with a much-changed side as they survived having Sergi Roberto sent off late in the second half to preserve their unbeaten league record this season.

Barca lead the standings on 83 points after 33 games, 12 ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who visit Real Sociedad on Thursday, while Real Madrid, a further four points back in third, host Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

France forward Ousmane Dembele struck his first goal in the Spanish top flight to give Barca the lead against the run of play in the 36th minute but Celta got a deserved equaliser just before halftime when Jonny Castro struck from close range.

Paco Alcacer restored Barca's lead in the 64th minute but Celta, who had beaten the Catalans 4-3 and 4-1 at home in the previous two seasons, continued to pour forward and caused the visitors' inexperienced defence problems.

Substitute Roberto was given a straight red card in the 71st for halting a surging run from Iago Aspas and the Spain striker levelled in the 82nd minute, bundling the ball in with the help of his arm and scoring his 20th league goal this season.

With the King's Cup final against Sevilla coming up on Saturday, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde made eight changes to the team that beat Valencia at the weekend, leaving out most of his regular starters including talisman Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and captain Andres Iniesta.

The wholesale changes meant it was the first competitive game in 16 years in which Barca started without a player who had come through their academy and the lack of experienced personnel saw 24-year-old keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen named as captain.

Celta dominated the final part of the game, despite Messi having come on earlier in the second half, but Barca clung on for the draw, staying on course to become the only team to finish a Liga season without losing.

"I wanted to make changes bearing in mind where we have come from and that we have a final coming up," said Barca coach Valverde, who was blamed after the shock exit to AS Roma in the Champions League quarter-finals for not rotating his squad more.

"When you make many changes you are taking a lot of risks but tonight I thought it was the right moment to assume those risks," he said.

The point means Barca can guarantee lifting the title if they win their next games at Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid but they could wrap up a 25th Liga crown before then if Atletico Madrid lose their next two against Real Sociedad and Real Betis.

"We don't take this draw as a good thing as we always want to win but we have to accept what we have," Valverde added.

"It was an end-to-end game but just as we were at our best we had the sending off and we had to reshape ourselves. It's another point and now we need two more victories to become champions."

Barca's King's Cup final opponents Sevilla, who are seventh, were held to a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Deportivo earlier on Tuesday, while sixth-placed Villarreal beat Leganes 2-1 as they battle for a Europa League qualifying spot.

(Reporting by Richard Martin; editing by Ken Ferris)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LA LIGA: Kroos missile delights Real, Atletico held again

BARCELONA - A late goal by Toni Kroos sealed victory as Real Madrid defeated an impressive Celta Vigo side 2-1 to win their first home La Liga game of the campaign on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid were held to a goalless draw at newcomers Leganes and already trail Real by four points while champions Barcelona visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Alvaro Morata scored his first goal for Real since returning from Juventus to break the deadlock on the hour before Fabian Orellana levelled for Celta in the 67th minute.

Kroos then finished off substitute James Rodriguez's cut- back with a low drive from the edge of the area in the 81st minute, giving his side six points from their two league matches.

"We were made to suffer against a team that were a lot better than I expected especially in attack," Real coach Zinedine Zidane told a news conference.

"They caused problems for us on a few occasions but that's normal...it's never easy to win."

Croatia playmaker Luka Modric rattled the bar and tested goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez with two other efforts from distance but Celta's Theo Bogonda squandered the first clear opening, firing wide when John Guidetti was unmarked in the area.

Gareth Bale clipped the bar at the other end with a second- half free kick and the breakthrough arrived soon after.

Modric slipped a pass to Marco Asensio and the winger was thwarted by Alvarez, only for Morata to ram the loose ball into the net.

The former Juve forward almost grabbed a second goal a few minutes later when he latched on to a ball from Kroos and his effort bounced off the outside of the far post.

CRISP MOVE

Celta then levelled following a crisp move between Daniel Wass, Guidetti and Orellana, the Chilean sending a rasping drive high beyond Casilla.

Zidane called on substitutes Rodriguez and Mariano Diaz and it was the out of favour Colombian, who started on the bench for the third game running, who made the difference as he chased down a loose ball on the right and slid it back for Kroos to score.

After facing repeated questions about Rodriguez's future in recent weeks, Zidane praised the player's display on Saturday and confirmed he would not be leaving Real before the transfer window closes.

"When you come on you have to make a difference and he got chances and did well," said the Frenchman. "He's going to stay here."

The return of prolific striker Antoine Griezmann could not help Atletico break down Leganes.

Home keeper Jon Ander Serantes kept out efforts from the France international, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Carrasco in an inspired display.

Atletico were involved in a thrilling three-pronged title race until the penultimate week of last season but have drawn both opening games against promoted sides, failing to win their first two matches for the first time under coach Diego Simeone.

"We have to get our act together because if we keep going like this we'll be fighting to avoid relegation," said Griezmann.

Elsewhere, Real Sociedad won 2-0 at promoted Osasuna thanks to a strike from new signing Juanmi and an own goal by Unai Garcia while Eibar beat Valencia 1-0 as Pedro Leon scored the only goal on the rebound after his penalty was saved.

Valencia striker Paco Alcacer was left out and is now expected to sign for Barcelona.

"Today he was not in an ideal situation to compete and we'll see what happens in the next few days," said coach Pako Ayesteran.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com