Real Madrid’s younger striker Alvaro Rodriguez salvaged a late 1-1 draw for the champions in a tense derby conflict in opposition to 10-man Atletico Madrid on Saturday in La Liga.
New Valencia coach Ruben Baraja earned his first win with a formidable 1-0 triumph in opposition to Real Sociedad at Mestalla, to assist the crew transfer provisionally one level away from the drop zone.
Real Madrid’s draw reduces league leaders Barcelona’s benefit on Los Blancos to seven factors, however provides the Catalans the possibility to broaden the hole to 10 on Sunday once they journey to Almeria.
Jose Gimenez had headed Atletico in entrance in the second half shortly after team-mate Angel Correa had been despatched off for elbowing Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger.
However 18-year-old Rodriguez headed Madrid degree on solely his second league look for the membership.
The striker made a robust affect in a cameo in opposition to Osasuna final weekend, establishing a aim, and made an much more vital contribution in opposition to Atletico.
Despite his affect, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his crew’s hopes of defending the title are fading, albeit not extinguished.
“It’s not a goodbye to La Liga — it’s much more difficult, however we’ll combat to the top and see what occurs,” Ancelotti told reporters.
The Italian coach praised Rodriguez for making a difference coming off the bench.
“Alvaro has shown all his qualities, he’s not played much, it’s a special night for him and for us to think that he can be useful at this stage of the season,” added Ancelotti.
“For subsequent season, Alvaro can be in the primary crew squad. He has qualities that few have for his age.
“He’s tall, good on the ball, nice in the air, and the thought is to have him with us in the primary crew squad subsequent season.”
Atletico were hunting for a league win at Real for the first time since 2016.
Rojiblancos defender Reinildo Mandava was forced off injured midway through a drab first half, hurting his knee in a tussle with Fede Valverde.
Correa elbow
Atletico were reduced to 10 men after an hour when Correa lashed out and hit Rudiger in the chest, with the German defender flinging himself to the floor.
“The contact was not so violent to immediately be a red card,” Simeone instructed reporters.
“There are many individuals who’ve paid for tickets and wish to see the gamers.
“In soccer there may be contact, that’s how it’s.”
Despite the red card, Atletico quickly took the lead.
Gimenez, who had replaced the injured Reinildo, met Antoine Griezmann’s inviting free-kick with a towering header after 78 minutes to break the deadlock.
However substitute Rodriguez intervened with 5 minutes left on the clock, leaping brilliantly to nod Luka Modric’s nook in off the submit.
Madrid could not find a winner and the result leaves the door open for Barcelona to take another step towards the title on Sunday.
“We went behind and then saving a point is better than nothing, but it’s not enough,” mentioned Courtois.
At Mestalla, Valencia put in a hard-working efficiency to defeat third place Real Sociedad, now only a level forward of Atletico.
Igor Zubeldia’s personal aim cut up the groups, the defender turning into his personal web as he tried to chop out a Samuel Lino cross 5 minutes earlier than the break.
Valencia had been awarded a penalty early in the second half when Hugo Duro went down but it surely was cancelled after VAR intervention confirmed no foul was dedicated.
Real Sociedad piled on the stress however Valencia got here closest to scoring when Lino hit the woodwork.
Baraja’s facet scrapped their method to the full-time whistle and solely a sixth win from 23 league video games.
It was Valencia’s first victory in 9 league video games, with their unhealthy kind seeing coach Gennaro Gattuso sacked on the finish of January.
Voro took over for the sixth time in Peter Lim’s reign as proprietor however was changed by former Valencia nice Baraja, who secured a win in his second sport in cost, after a defeat by Getafe final weekend.
Cadiz earned a 1-0 win over sixth-place Rayo Vallecano to climb into mid-table, whereas Martin Braithwaite netted twice for Espanyol to beat Real Mallorca 2-1.
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