Barca win means Real Madrid can't be assured of La Liga title

Sports Sunday 12/July/2020 15:38 PM
By: Times News Service
Barca win means Real Madrid can't be assured of La Liga title

Madrid: FC Barcelona won 1-0 away to Valladolid on Saturday with a result that means Real Madrid can't assure the La Liga title even if they win away to Granada on Monday night.
Arturo Vidal scored the vital goal in the first half, although both sides had further chances in a match conditioned by high temperatures in Valladolid's Jose Zorrilla Stadium.
Barca controlled nearly all of the first half with Riqui Puig, who was back in the side seeing a shot saved by Jordi Masip, a former Barca player, before Vidal scored the only goal of the game with a drilled shot from the right of the penalty area after a pass from Leo Messi.
Puig was inches away from teeing up Antoine Griezmann for a second, but Masip got down well to make a block and cut out the cross. The Valladolid keeper also did well to save from Nelson Semedo before Kike Perez had a great chance to level for the home side only to lose his footing when he looked to be clean through on goal.
The half ended with Messi firing just wide with his left foot.
Valladolid made a tactical change in the second half with coach Sergio Gonzalez bringing on Enes Unal to give more punch in attack, while Luis Suarez replaced Griezmann.
With the change Valladolid gained in aggression and Marc Andre Ter Stegen did well to twice deny the Turkish striker as the game was much more even.
Masip palmed over a Messi free kick at the other end, while Gerard Pique looked to have his shirt pulled after a corner for Barca, although to the Barca defender's clear annoyance the VAR failed to intervene.
The game remained open to the end and Barca had Ter Stegen to thank once again in injury time when he stuck out a providential hand to deny former Barca striker Sandro Ramirez.
Elsewhere Celta Vigo still have work to do to avoid relegation after surrendering a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 away to Osasuna.