MADRID, Dec 6: After Zinedine Zidane got some relief seeing Real Madrid end a winless streak in the Spanish league, Ronald Koeman was back under fire after another disappointing Barcelona loss. Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, won again to take the league lead for the first time this season.
Real Madrid edged Sevilla 1-0 Saturday for its first win after three straight league setbacks. A second-half own-goal by Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou gave Madrid victory at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.
Atlético beat Valladolid 2-0 to win its seventh straight league game. Atlético moved two points ahead of Real Sociedad, which visits Alavés on Sunday and has played one game more than Atlético. Third-place Real Madrid is six points off the lead and also has played one extra game compared to Simeone’s team. Seventh-place Barcelona is now 12 points back. Atlético, which has already beaten Barcelona this season, visits Real Madrid next weekend.
Barcelona lost 2-1 at promoted Cádiz to stay far from the top. Barcelona lost in the league for the fourth time this season despite the return of Lionel Messi, who had been rested in the team’s Champions League midweek match.
The match in Madrid marked the return of Luis Suárez, after he had tested positive for COVID. (AP)
