Real Madrid closer to Barcelona!
Madrid, Nov 24 (EFE).- By José Antonio Pascual
Real Madrid cruised past Leganés with a commanding 3-0 victory at Estadio Municipal de Butarque, slashing Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to four points.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s side capitalized on Barcelona’s recent setbacks, reigniting the title race with seven goals in two matches and none conceded.
The win on Saturday placed Real Madrid second in the table, four points behind Barcelona, with one game in hand.
The past two matchdays have favored Ancelotti’s team. While Barcelona, under German coach Hansi Flick, faltered with a loss to Real Sociedad and a draw at Celta Vigo, Real Madrid seized the opportunity with emphatic wins over Osasuna and Leganés.
Ancelotti surprised with his starting XI against Leganés, deploying Arda Güler and Dani Ceballos in midfield while giving Raúl Asencio a start in central defense.
He shifted Fede Valverde to the right wing, Fran García to the left, and placed Kylian Mbappé in his preferred role on the left flank. Brazilian forward Vinícius Jr. took the central role up front, despite Ancelotti’s earlier comments suggesting otherwise.
Jude Bellingham excelled in his attacking midfield role, orchestrating one of Real Madrid’s finest displays this season. The opener came just before halftime (43’) when Vinícius Jr. set up Mbappé with a perfectly timed assist.
In the second half, Valverde’s stunning free-kick (66’) doubled the lead, and Bellingham sealed the victory (85’) with a header after the ball rebounded off the crossbar.
Mbappé showed improved form despite missing key chances, while Güler, Ceballos, and Eduardo Camavinga shone in midfield. Valverde excelled in his unorthodox wing role, and Asencio paired effectively with Antonio Rüdiger in defense.
Real Madrid’s performance boosts confidence ahead of a crucial Champions League showdown against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday. The Premier League leaders will present a far sterner test for Ancelotti’s men as they look to cement their European ambitions.
Elsewhere in La Liga:
Villarreal stayed in the Champions League spots with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Osasuna, rallying from two goals down.
The game saw Ante Budimir score a first-half brace for Osasuna, but Villarreal responded through Álex Baena (67’) and a Gerard Moreno penalty in stoppage time.
Moreno’s goal marked his return after 76 days out, offering a personal and emotional triumph after months of injury struggles.
Athletic Bilbao claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Basque derby, thanks to an Oihan Sancet header in the 26th minute. The victory lifted Athletic back into European contention, ending their run of three consecutive draws.
Sevilla edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0, with Swiss international Djibril Sow scoring the decisive goal in the first half.
Despite playing against 10 men for the entire second half, Sevilla faced intense pressure but held on for a vital home win, their first since beating Real Betis on Oct 6. EFE
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