Barcelona slip up as Neymar sees red

Sport Desk: Barcelona failed to close the gap on LaLiga leaders Real Madrid as they were beaten 2-0 at Malaga, where Brazil forward Neymar was sent off.

Antoine Griezmann had netted a late equaliser as Atletico Madrid secured a 1-1 draw away at their city rivals earlier in the day, which could have allowed Barcelona to leapfrog them at the top of the table.

However, Malaga boss Jose Miguel Gonzalez had not read the script as his side chalked up a second successive victory to move closer to safety.
Sandro netted on the break against his former club after half an hour and substitute Rodriguez Jony added a late second after Neymar had seen red having picked up a needless second caution.

As a result, Real Madrid edge three points clear of Barcelona with a match in hand, while Malaga now sit 14th.

Barcelona had made four changes with Andre Gomes and Jordi Alba among those drafted in. Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic were suspended while Andres Iniesta was on the bench.

Malaga were content to sit deep and allow the visitors plenty of possession.

Barcelona opened the home side up after 16 minutes as Alba sent Luis Suarez racing clear into the penalty area but Carlos Kameni was out quickly to make a goal-saving block.

The Malaga goalkeeper was alert again to smother a cross from the Uruguayan as Neymar looked to pounce, before Lionel Messi curled a free-kick over.

At the other end, Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen failed to deal with a back-pass and the ball dropped to Jose Recio but the midfielder failed to hit the target with his long-range shot at an empty net.

Malaga then swept into the lead in the 32nd minute as La Rosaleda erupted.

Defender Juan Carlos knocked a long ball forwards, which sent Sandro clear as he ran from his own half to spring a high Barcelona offside trap with Jeremy Mathieu playing him on.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/April 09, 2017/A K Azad