adminMADRID. — Spanish soccer champions Barcelona slumped to their third defeat in seven league games as they lost away to relegation-threatened Valladolid 1-0 on Saturday. Italian Fausto Rossi scored the only goal of the game as he slammed home from close range after 17 minutes. Atletico Madrid took advantage of Barca’s slip up to move top of the table thanks to their better head-to-head record against Real Madrid as a double from David Villa handed them a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo at Balaidos. However, Real can retake their place at the top and move four points clear of Barcelona with victory over Levante at home yesterday.
Victory for Valladolid had significant consequences at the other end of the table as La Pucela moved out of the relegation zone with just their fifth league win of the campaign.
“What we lacked today is normally what distinguishes the team; our circulation of the ball and our movement off the ball to find space.
“As a consequence of that we lacked penetration,” Barca boss Gerardo Martino admitted.
“We lacked ideas, movement and penetration. But I didn’t in any way see a lack of attitude.”
Defeat means the Spanish champions will likely have to beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in two weeks time to have any chance of retaining the title. And with his side’s Champions League last 16, second leg with Manchester City just four days away, Martino admitted his side are a long way off their best form. — AFP.
Online Reporter