Barcelona safeguarded a comfy 4-0 sway Real Sociedad on Sunday to return leading of La Liga.
Aritz Elustondo’s very early red card provided Hansi Flick’s side a comfy mid-day with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the scoresheet.
Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to briefly knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, 3rd, shed at Real Betis.
Flick had the ability to revolve his side a little in advance of the Champions League last 16 check out to face Benfica on Wednesday and still relocate one factor over Atletico.
“There were a lot of things that helped us a lot today, the red card but also how we played, we were dominant after the red card,” Flick informed press reporters.
The German trainer stated prior to the video game Barca would certainly deal with difficult to win every one of the 3 significant competitors they remain in, and repeated it after that.
“Today we are happy with the three points and there’s a long way to go in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League,” he proceeded.
“We will fight for every title and when we started the season no-one (expected) this.
“We’re in this circumstance, that we can deal with (for the prizes), which’s what we desire up until completion of the period.”
Real Sociedad, ninth, threatened in the opening stages but fell foul of Barcelona’s offside trap, with Sergio Gomez’s strike ruled out.
At the other end Barcelona playmaker Pedri Gonzalez came close when he pressed La Real goalkeeper Alex Remiro and deflected his attempted clearance just over and onto the roof of the net.
The game swung Barcelona’s way when Elustondo was sent off in the 17th minute for pulling down Dani Olmo, who was running through on goal.
The hosts took the lead after 25 minutes when Olmo chipped the ball across for Martin to fire home the first goal of his career.
Four minutes later, Barca had their second, with Olmo involved again, this time his wayward shot deflected home by team-mate Casado.
The enterprising Lamine Yamal teed up Pedri but Remiro saved his shot from the edge of the box as Barca dominated.
– ‘Happy to help’ –
Pedri came close again after the break with an effort from range which bounced back off the crossbar, shortly before Araujo nabbed the third.
Remiro pushed out Lewandowski’s header from corner but Araujo nodded home the rebound.
Lewandowski cleverly converted Barcelona’s fourth, prodding home Araujo’s low drive from distance.
The 36-year-old leads the league with 21 goals in 25 appearances.
“I’m really pleased for our efficiency and it was essential to win and return to being leaders,” Araujo told Movistar.
“I’m pleased for the great we did and going initially once again.”
Since recovering from a bad knee injury, Araujo has been unable to reclaim a regular starting spot in defence.
” I returned from a lasting injury, I’m calmness and going detailed, I rely on myself and my attributes, and I enjoy to assist,” said Araujo.
” I believe it is necessary to have an affordable group to win titles, not simply 11 gamers yet an excellent bench also.”
Barcelona played out the final half an hour without incident, occasionally threatening, with substitute Ferran Torres twice coming close to a fifth.
“The red card, afterwards the video game altered entirely, we came below to attempt and control the sphere,” said Real Sociedad defender Javi Lopez.
” A sending modifications every little thing … they likewise had good luck on their objectives which makes it really tough versus among the most effective groups on the planet.”
Elsewhere Valencia snagged an exhilarating 3-3 draw at Osasuna many thanks to an exceptional backheel battery by Umar Sadiq.
The Nigeria demonstrator netted a support, the secondly of those his incredible coating from Sergi Canos’ cross after 87 mins to gain his group an essential factor in the transfer fight.
Valencia are 18th, one factor in advance of Alaves that attracted 1-1 at Mallorca earlier Sunday.
Leganes, 16th, beat Getafe 1-0 to relocate 3 factors free from the decrease area.
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