Real’s World Cup clash moved
European champions Madrid are looking to extend a 20-match winning run in all competitions. The other semi-final pits Auckland against San Lorenzo in Marrakech on Wednesday.
Back to La Liga, Barcelona captain Xavi rued his side’s missed chances as they were held 0-0 at Getafe on Saturday, the veteran playmaker describing the result as “a step backwards”.
Luis Enrique’s men, who had won their previous eight matches in all competitions, slipped four points behind leaders Madrid, who beat Almeria 4-1 on Friday.
Xavi said: “The most important thing is to win, more than the system, and we weren’t able to do that. (It was) a step backwards.”
Champions Atletico Madrid lost further ground on title rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona as Luciano Vietto’s solitary late goal took all three points for Villarreal and inflicted a first home league defeat on Diego Simeone’s side since March 2013. In the Basque derby, David Moyes’s Real Sociedad drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao last night, Oscar de Marcos equalising after Carlos Vela’s opener.
In Serie A, Roma closed to within a point of leaders Juventus by beating Genoa 1-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Genoa suffered an early setback as keeper Mattia Perin was dismissed for a professional foul but his replacement Eugenio Lamanna saved Adem Ljajic’s penalty. Radja Nainggolan then scored the only goal.
Substitute Manolo Gabbiadini scored a second-half equaliser as Sampdoria ended Juve’s perfect home run in the league. Patrice Evra put the hosts ahead with his first goal for Juve. AC Milan beat Napoli 2-0 last night.
Bayern Munich were big winners yesterday without even playing as three of their nearest Bundesliga rivals dropped points. Second-placed Wolfsburg are nine points behind Pep Guardiola’s men after being surprisingly held 1-1 at home by Paderborn. Vieirinha put the Wolves in front in the 17th minute, but a missed penalty from Ivan Perisic and several spurned chances meant they only took a 1-0 lead into the break. Alban Meha levelled from the spot.
Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach played out a 1-1 draw at the BayArena. Hakan Calhanoglu gave the hosts an 18th-minute lead, but Roel Brouwers levelled for Lucien Favre’s men just before half-time.
Augsburg lost 4-0 at home to runaway leaders Bayern on Saturday.
Medhi Benatia put the Bavarians ahead and three more goals followed in the space of just 11 minutes as Arjen Robben netted a brace and Robert Lewandowski was also on target for Guardiola’s men. Troubled Borussia Dortmund lost 1-0 at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
In France, Monaco beat Marseille 1-0 last night with a Bernardo Silva goal. Jeremy Pied’s goal gave Guincamp a shock win over PSG.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
