- MADRID (SPAIN) — FC Barcelona was made to dig deep for a 1-0 win away to
struggling Leganes that opens a seven-point lead over archrivals Real Madrid at
the top of La Liga standings. It took an own goal to give Barca all three
points against a side that won in Barcelona earlier this season.
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- The first half was very open with Leganes not intimidated by
Barcelona and going close to goal through Dani Raba on a couple of occasions.
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- Barca went ahead early in the second half as Gerard Martin,
who came on in the first half for the injured Alejandro Balde, won the ball in
midfield, and fed Raphinha. The Brazilian looked to cross to Robert
Lewandowski, causing Leganes defender Jorge Saenz to slide the ball into his
own net, reports Xinhua.
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- Elsewhere, Cyle Larin and Sergi Darder scored a goal in each
half as Mallorca dented Real Sociedad's hopes of qualifying for Europe next
season with a 2-0 win in San Sebastian.
Also read: FC Barcelona trounce Dortmund in Champions League QF first leg
- Larin opened the scoring after Ander Barrenetxea gave the
ball away after 20 minutes and Darder made it 2-0 with a powerful shot at the
start of the second half.
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- Roberto Fernandez scored twice as Espanyol claimed a 2-0
away win to considerably ease the club's relegation fears. Las Palmas ended a
run of 12 matches without a win with a 3-1 triumph away to Getafe to give a
huge boost to the club's survival hopes.
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- Meanwhile, archrivals Real Madrid will be hoping to overcome
Alaves on Sunday and cut down the gap back to four points behind rivals FC
Barcelona in La Liga and were handed a shocking 0-3 loss against Arsenal in the
first leg of the quarterfinals of the European competition.
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- With Real Madrid on the hinges of both their La Liga and
UEFA Champions League charge, head coach Carlo Ancelotti wants his side to get
back their ‘good feeling’ against Alaves on Sunday.
