Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, entrance, scores his facet’s third objective throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Elche and Barcelona, on the Martinez Valero Stadium in Elche, Spain, on April 1, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP
Robert Lewandowski scored twice in Barcelona’s 4-0 win at last-place Elche on Saturday because the Catalan membership opened up a 15-point lead atop the standings in pursuit of its first Spanish league title in 4 years.
Lewandowski opened the scoring within the twentieth minute and added Barcelona’s third objective within the 66th to take his league-leading tally to 17 targets in his first season in Spain.
Ansu Fati doubled the lead within the 56th and Ferran Torres rounded off one in every of Barcelona’s most snug victories of the marketing campaign within the seventieth.
Barcelona picked proper up the place it left off earlier than final week’s worldwide break when it beat Madrid 2-1 within the league to deal what’s trying like a decisive blow to its rival’s title protection.
Second-place Madrid performs Real Valladolid on Sunday.
Barcelona will attempt to beat Madrid once more on Wednesday within the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal match. Barcelona received the primary leg 1-0 within the capital.
The targets ended scoring droughts for all three of Barcelona’s forwards. Lewandowski hadn’t scored in 5 video games – three with Barcelona and two with Poland – since his objective towards Manchester United in a 2-0 loss within the Europa League on Feb. 23.
Ansu, who struck from outdoors the realm, hadn’t scored since Jan. 19 within the Copa del Rey, whereas his final objective within the league was in October. Torres hadn’t discovered the web since scoring twice in Spain’s 7-0 win over Costa Rica within the World Cup in November.
Lewandowski received his first objective after receiving a headed go by Ronald Araújo within the space when he knocked down an extended free kick by Jordi Alba. Lewandowski’s second objective got here after Gavi received possession and performed the striker clear.
“This is not over and we have to keep going,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández mentioned. “It was a well-rounded night for us and for players who needed to boost their confidence.”
Given the opponent and his crew’s commanding league lead, Xavi allowed himself to experiment together with his lineup. Little-used central defender Éric García began in a brand new place for him because the crew’s holding midfielder, whereas common starter Sergio Busquets stayed on the bench forward of the “clasico.”
Saturday’s sport was the debut of Argentine Sebastián Beccacece as Elche’s fourth coach of the season.
The hosts seemed like a crew that has solely received twice in 27 rounds. Elche completed the sport 58 factors behind Barcelona — 13 to 71 — and, extra importantly, 14 factors from security. It was with out first-choice striker Lucas Boyé, who served a one-game suspension.
“We are not stupid. We know that it is going to be very tough and that time is running out,” Elche defender Carlos Clerc mentioned, including that the crew will nonetheless combat on for its followers.
WINNING DEBUT
José Luis Mendilibar had a successful debut as Sevilla’s new coach after it beat Cadiz 2-0. Lucas Ocampos and Youssef En-Nesyri scored within the second half.
Mendilibar, 62, has coached a number of Spanish golf equipment, together with his longest spells answerable for Eibar. He is Sevilla’s third coach of the season after Jorge Sampaoli and Julen Lopetegui each have been let go.
NEW CONTRACT
Athletic Bilbao’s Oihan Sancet broke the news to the crew’s followers that he had agreed to an extended contract extension following its 0-0 draw with Getafe.
Sancet was handed a microphone simply moments after the ultimate whistle to make the announcement to the San Mames Stadium.
He agreed to a brand new deal that can tie the 22-year-old midfielder to the Basque membership by means of 2032. Sancet leads the crew with eight targets this season.
“I am thrilled to stay here, and we thought there was no better way to tell my supporters,” Sancet mentioned. “It is a long contract. I am motivated to return the confidence the club has placed in me.”
Also, Cristhian Stuani transformed an 88th-minute penalty to provide Girona a 2-1 win over Espanyol, which is hazard of falling into the relegation zone after 4 defeats in a row.
Source web site: www.thehindu.com
