Morata scores brace to snatch win for star-less Real
Print Edition
ALVARO Morata scored twice as Real Madrid maintained a two-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga by making light of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s absence in a 4-2 win at Leganes.
Earlier, Lionel Messi’s double on his return from suspension and Luis Suarez’s stunning overhead kick helped Barcelona sweep aside Sevilla 3-0.
Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane gambled on the strength of his squad ahead of a mammoth 18 days which sees the European champion welcome Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabeu and also meet old foes Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals.
However, the Frenchman was rewarded as the likes of Marco Asensio, James Rodriguez and Morata took their chance to shine. As well as its slender lead, Real also has a game in hand over Barcelona.
“It is not taking a risk, I have a great squad,” said Zidane.
“I am always asked about the reserves and the starters, but we are all in the same boat. We are doing great things together, but we still have a long way to go and we will need every player.”
At Camp Nou, Messi looked rested rather than rusty after being banned for his last two outings for club and country as he took his tally for the season to 43 goals in 41 games.
Sevilla’s visit offered boss Jorge Sampaoli a final chance to make his case for the Barca job at the end of the season.
But defeat continues Sevilla’s slump and a sixth straight game without a win sees it remain three points behind Atletico Madrid in the battle for third place.
“Barca don’t need many chances to score. We had two one-on-ones and we couldn’t take them,” said Sampaoli.
“The first half we played at a top level,” said Barca’s coach Luis Enrique.
“We arguably even deserved to have a bigger lead.”
Sevilla’s misery was complete when Spanish international Vitolo was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card after chopping down Neymar.
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