FCBARCELONA.CAT

16.11.2008 23:05

A great weekend all round!

Roger Bogunyà

The eleventh day of league action could not have been better for Barça’s interests. Not only did they collect an important away win at Recreativo, but none of their immediate rivals gained three points.

Real Madrid and Valencia failed on Saturday, and Villarreal did too on Sunday. None of the sides that could have prevented Barça from coming away from the Nuevo Colombino as leaders were able to win this weekend.

Valladolid and Sporting cause shocks

The biggest surprises came on Saturday, when Madrid lost in Valladolid and Valencia went down at home to Sporting. Madrid were beaten by the only goal of their game, scored by Canobbio in the 48th minute.

Unai Emery’s side, meanwhile, were beaten 3-2 at home to Sporting Gijón, who were never behind, and thus inflicted the second consecutive home defeat on the side from Mestalla.

Barça are now five points ahead of both Real Madrid and Valencia.

Villarreal draw

Sunday saw yet another surprise as Villarreal were held in Malaga. The visitors went ahead twice, but the Andalusians responded both times with goals of their own. So Villarreal have thrown away two points they almost had in the bag and are now three adrift of Barça.

The other sides in the European zone, Sevilla and Atlético Madrid, did collect wins this weekend, against Getafe and Deportivo respectively.