Malaga ends Barcelona’s run of 11 wins
Print Edition
Barcelona’s 11-match winning streak came to an end on Saturday when Malaga pounced on a bad mistake by defender Dani Alves to score a shock 1-0 win that cost the Catalans top spot in La Liga.
Elsewhere, Antoine Griezmann struck twice as Atletico Madrid produced a devastating performance to sweep Almeria aside 3-0 and move within four points of leader Real Madrid which plays its game in hand at Elche later yesterday.
The stage was left clear for a Barcelona victory to take it two points ahead of Real but it was unable to reproduce the slick football that has seen it terrorize opponents recently.
“In football we know anything can happen. You are on a good run and then suddenly you lose,” defender Gerard Pique told reporters.
“We are playing well and just because we have lost one game doesn’t mean that everything is now bad.”
Seventh-placed Malaga grabbed the only goal when Alves tried to nonchalantly side-foot a back pass but Juanmi nipped in and rounded keeper Claudio Bravo before slotting the ball into an empty net after seven minutes.
Lionel Messi had scored 12 goals in the previous eight games but could not provide a spark as Barca dominated possession without finding a way past a steadfast Malaga defence.
“It wasn’t the best game not only from Leo but all the team,” said midfielder Sergio Busquets. “We needed to create more chances and goals but it wasn’t possible.”
Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez were in Barca’s starting lineup as coach Luis Enrique decided against resting his first-choice forwards ahead of the midweek trip to Manchester City in the Champions League last 16.
However, the trio could make little impact against a disciplined Malaga.
Barcelona almost levelled straight after conceding the early goal when Rafinha’s drive from the edge of the area was cleared off the line.
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