Reuters, March 3, BILBAO – Champions Barcelona was left furious as they wasted a chance to get closer to La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Sunday at Athletic Club, where they were held to a boring 0-0 stalemate. Barcelona was looking for the victory that would allow them to cut the gap with the pace setters and go up to second place in the standings after Real dropped points on Saturday after a 2-2 draw at Valencia. Rather, the draw on Sunday meant they were still eight points behind Real and one point behind surprise package Girona, who are now on 59 after losing 1-0 at Mallorca earlier in the day.
Pedri and Frenkie de Jong,
Two midfielders for Barcelona, were pulled off the pitch in the first half as injuries. After a challenge with an opposing player, De Jong landed awkwardly on his right foot and was taken off the field in the 26th minute. Pedri appeared to have hurt his right leg just before halftime, crying as he left the field. Since the completion of the 2020–21 season, the 21-year-old midfielder has suffered nine leg muscle injuries. Telling Movistar Plus, “It’s a sad day,” Xavi said. “It doesn’t appear good, but we’ll learn more about their injuries between now and tomorrow. That had an impact on us, and I anticipate that both of us will miss some games.”
In a dull first half, Joao Cancelo of Barcelona came closest. To scoring when his effort from close to the halfway line curled. Over the Athletic goalie but was cleared away by a defender. After the break, the home team became more aggressive, with Alex Berenguer and Inaki Williams posing a constant threat. However, a strong Barcelona defense that resisted late pressure to earn a draw against a squad. That is on the verge of finishing in the top four disappointed them.
Blog By:- ExpertSadar
