Real’s Spanish record run ends, Moyes’ Sociedad stuns Barca
Print Edition
REAL Madrid’s Spanish record 22-match winning streak ended in a 1-2 defeat at Valencia but it remained top of La Liga after a depleted Barcelona crashed 0-1 away to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Real, which last dropped points against champion Atletico Madrid in mid-September, remains a point clear of Barcelona and have a game in hand.
Jordi Alba headed into his own net in the second minute to give Sociedad the lead against a Barcelona side with Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench having only returned on Friday from their Christmas break.
Barcelona failed to link up well in attack and it was David Moyes’ side that carried the greater threat on the counter for much of the game.
In the final stages, with Messi and Neymar on, Barcelona did begin to press but the San Sebastian hosts were resolute at the back. “There is no point in saying what might have happened if they (Messi and Neymar) had started the game,” Barca coach Luis Enrique said.
“I thought it was the right decision as I didn’t want to take a risk with the players who had just returned from holiday and a long trip less than two days before. I decided to put them on in the second half.
“I don’t think the result was just as we didn’t deserve to lose but this is football and it can happen that you don’t get the luck when you need it.”
It was a memorable victory for former Manchester United manager Moyes, who has been Sociedad coach for less than two months and now sees his team move up to 13th with 18 points.
“It is the happiest night since I arrived in San Sebastian. We worked very hard. The players showed courage and defended incredibly,” said the Scot.
“This team has shown it is capable in the big games against the best teams in the league and now we must show the same capability to win the other games.”
Real Madrid took the lead against Valencia after Alvaro Negredo handled a Toni Kroos free-kick in the penalty area and Cristiano Ronaldo coolly placed the spot kick into the corner with 14 minutes played. An Andres Gomes shot deflected off Dani Carvajal and hit a post in first-half stoppage time as Valencia battled back and Antonio Barragan then saw a shot deflect in off Pepe in the 52nd before Nicolas Otamendi nodded home a corner after 65 minutes.
“We have to give credit to Valencia. It’s sad that we have dropped three points and our run has come to an end but the league is long,” Real defender Sergio Ramos said. “Before we didn’t say that we had it won and in no way are we now going to say we have lost the league.”
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