Serie A Fixtures 2017.04.08
Serie A Fixtures 2017.04.08
Empoli Vs Pescara
Atalanta Vs Sassuolo
Juventus Vs Chievo
Empoli Vs Pescara
Atalanta Vs Sassuolo
Juventus Vs Chievo
Latest ads
-
Sell your Land, House on idamata.lk for FREE
- sajith.xp.pk
- Updated:
-
Handmade Character Soft Toys- anil1961
- Updated:
-
Bodim.lk out now !- Manoj Suranga Bandara
- Updated:
-
Power Lifting Lever Belt- SkullVamp
- Updated:
-
port.lk Domain for sale
- Lankan-Tech
- Updated:
..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
- Start date
Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.04.08
Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.04.08
Cologne Vs Monchengladbach
Hamburg Vs Hoffenheim
Leipzig Vs Leverkusen
Freiburg Vs Mainz
Schalke Vs Wolfsburg
Bayern Vs Dortmund
Cologne Vs Monchengladbach
Hamburg Vs Hoffenheim
Leipzig Vs Leverkusen
Freiburg Vs Mainz
Schalke Vs Wolfsburg
Bayern Vs Dortmund
Man Utd legend Giggs ready to manage 'the right club'
Ryan Giggs is ready to take his first proper foray into management once he finds the right club and chairman to work for.
Giggs has been out of work since leaving Manchester United following the appointment of Jose Mourinho, having spent two years working as Louis van Gaal's assistant and also briefly taking charge as caretaker manager after David Moyes' exit.
The former Wales international was strongly linked with the Swansea City vacancy before they opted for Paul Clement and he believes his first club has to be a good fit.
"The only one I can really say is Swansea," Giggs told the Daily Mail when asked about the teams he has been in contact with."I feel like I've done my apprenticeship with two years of brilliant education under Louis. If the right club and the right chairman comes along, I'll be ready.
"I'd rather go into a decent League One or Championship team, who've got the right ideas and the right aspirations, than a Premier League team who haven't."
Giggs suggested his reputation as a player - winning 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues in 24 years at United - may count against him."It frustrates me when you hear people say, 'You can't just expect to walk into any job'," Giggs said. "Well, I think it works against us actually.
"It can stop you getting jobs. It can hinder, not help. They see the player rather than the coach."That's understandable, because I was playing for so long and only coached for two years. But I've been preparing for it for 10 years, because I started my badges at 30. It really doesn't matter to me where.
"It's a minefield out there, though. You see Warren Joyce, who I worked with for so long. Four months in a job [at Wigan Athletic] - and he's a very good coach. Very easily your reputation can be ruined in that first job."
Ryan Giggs is ready to take his first proper foray into management once he finds the right club and chairman to work for.
Giggs has been out of work since leaving Manchester United following the appointment of Jose Mourinho, having spent two years working as Louis van Gaal's assistant and also briefly taking charge as caretaker manager after David Moyes' exit.
The former Wales international was strongly linked with the Swansea City vacancy before they opted for Paul Clement and he believes his first club has to be a good fit.
"The only one I can really say is Swansea," Giggs told the Daily Mail when asked about the teams he has been in contact with."I feel like I've done my apprenticeship with two years of brilliant education under Louis. If the right club and the right chairman comes along, I'll be ready.
"I'd rather go into a decent League One or Championship team, who've got the right ideas and the right aspirations, than a Premier League team who haven't."
Giggs suggested his reputation as a player - winning 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues in 24 years at United - may count against him."It frustrates me when you hear people say, 'You can't just expect to walk into any job'," Giggs said. "Well, I think it works against us actually.
"It can stop you getting jobs. It can hinder, not help. They see the player rather than the coach."That's understandable, because I was playing for so long and only coached for two years. But I've been preparing for it for 10 years, because I started my badges at 30. It really doesn't matter to me where.
"It's a minefield out there, though. You see Warren Joyce, who I worked with for so long. Four months in a job [at Wigan Athletic] - and he's a very good coach. Very easily your reputation can be ruined in that first job."
Tottenham 4 Watford 0: Son shines as sublime Spurs keep the pressure on Chelsea
Tottenham kept up their pursuit of Premier League leaders Chelsea as some brilliant first-half finishing set up a dazzling 4-0 win over Watford at White Hart Lane.
Top scorer Harry Kane was back on the bench from an ankle injury absence to see deputy Vincent Janssen add to his catalogue of painful misses before Dele Alli magnificently opened the scoring with his 16th league goal of the season.
England colleague Eric Dier and Son Heung-min joined in the fun with similarly emphatic strikes from outside the box, although Watford boss Walter Mazzarri will lament poor closing down on the first and third Spurs goals.
Watford appeared simply helpless as they were cut open for Son to add a sumptuous fourth, their ambitions of stringing together three consecutive top-flight wins for the first time this season having long since evaporated.
It amounted to a far more assured route to victory for Mauricio Pochettino's side than the remarkably frantic midweek comeback at Swansea City and cut Chelsea's advantage at the summit to four points, at least until Antonio Conte's men face Bournemouth in Saturday's late kick-off.
Janssen almost had his first Premier League goal from open play when he cleverly spun Craig Cathcart in the ninth minute, forcing Heurelho Gomes to save with his legs.
It was an assured start from Walter Mazzarri's side, but they should have fallen behind in the 19th minute when Janssen's combination of dwindling confidence and wretched luck came to their aid.
Kieran Trippier stunned a volley across the face of goal and, although the Netherlands international was partially unsighted by Watford defender Adrian Mariappa, Janssen inexplicably managed to hit the crossbar after the ball spun up off his thigh two yards from goal.
Shortly afterwards, the outstretched and beleaguered striker failed to get the decisive touch on another dangerous Trippier cross, while he strayed needlessly offside following a fine run and pass from Alli.
The England midfield stunningly took matters into his own hands in the 33rd minute, exchanging passes with Son before arching a dipping effort over Gomes and into the top corner.
Son was involved once more in the 39th minute when his deflected cross fell kindly for Dier to venomously rifle home from the edge of the area, and the South Korea winger got in on the act to effectively end the contest before half-time.
Christian Eriksen seized upon a poor headed clearance from Cathcart to feed Son, who was allowed to advance towards the area and unleash a crisp left-footed shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner, moving into double figures in the Premier League this term.Tottenham's dominance made for a carnival atmosphere in this sun-drenched corner of north London that Son's second ramped up even further.
Eriksen slipped a pass to the overlapping Trippier, whose delivery was again impeccable for the on-rushing Son to convert a crisp half-volley.
Janssen's anomalous run within Pochettino's swashbuckling squad will continue, as Kane returned to a hero's welcome in the 61st minute.He rounded Gomes on the end of Trippier's lofted pass but Kane's shot lacked power and he was agonisingly close to heading in 13 minutes from time.
Kane turned provider as Son missed out on the matchball – slotting wide when it appeared easier to score and the former Bayer Leverkusen man also had time to clip the bar.
It did not take away from a brilliant all-round Spurs display, with Kane clattering the bar from a free-kick in stoppage time as he sought a show-stopping finale to their sixth straight league win.
Tottenham kept up their pursuit of Premier League leaders Chelsea as some brilliant first-half finishing set up a dazzling 4-0 win over Watford at White Hart Lane.
Top scorer Harry Kane was back on the bench from an ankle injury absence to see deputy Vincent Janssen add to his catalogue of painful misses before Dele Alli magnificently opened the scoring with his 16th league goal of the season.
England colleague Eric Dier and Son Heung-min joined in the fun with similarly emphatic strikes from outside the box, although Watford boss Walter Mazzarri will lament poor closing down on the first and third Spurs goals.
Watford appeared simply helpless as they were cut open for Son to add a sumptuous fourth, their ambitions of stringing together three consecutive top-flight wins for the first time this season having long since evaporated.
It amounted to a far more assured route to victory for Mauricio Pochettino's side than the remarkably frantic midweek comeback at Swansea City and cut Chelsea's advantage at the summit to four points, at least until Antonio Conte's men face Bournemouth in Saturday's late kick-off.
Janssen almost had his first Premier League goal from open play when he cleverly spun Craig Cathcart in the ninth minute, forcing Heurelho Gomes to save with his legs.
It was an assured start from Walter Mazzarri's side, but they should have fallen behind in the 19th minute when Janssen's combination of dwindling confidence and wretched luck came to their aid.
Kieran Trippier stunned a volley across the face of goal and, although the Netherlands international was partially unsighted by Watford defender Adrian Mariappa, Janssen inexplicably managed to hit the crossbar after the ball spun up off his thigh two yards from goal.
Shortly afterwards, the outstretched and beleaguered striker failed to get the decisive touch on another dangerous Trippier cross, while he strayed needlessly offside following a fine run and pass from Alli.
The England midfield stunningly took matters into his own hands in the 33rd minute, exchanging passes with Son before arching a dipping effort over Gomes and into the top corner.
Son was involved once more in the 39th minute when his deflected cross fell kindly for Dier to venomously rifle home from the edge of the area, and the South Korea winger got in on the act to effectively end the contest before half-time.
Christian Eriksen seized upon a poor headed clearance from Cathcart to feed Son, who was allowed to advance towards the area and unleash a crisp left-footed shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner, moving into double figures in the Premier League this term.Tottenham's dominance made for a carnival atmosphere in this sun-drenched corner of north London that Son's second ramped up even further.
Eriksen slipped a pass to the overlapping Trippier, whose delivery was again impeccable for the on-rushing Son to convert a crisp half-volley.
Janssen's anomalous run within Pochettino's swashbuckling squad will continue, as Kane returned to a hero's welcome in the 61st minute.He rounded Gomes on the end of Trippier's lofted pass but Kane's shot lacked power and he was agonisingly close to heading in 13 minutes from time.
Kane turned provider as Son missed out on the matchball – slotting wide when it appeared easier to score and the former Bayer Leverkusen man also had time to clip the bar.
It did not take away from a brilliant all-round Spurs display, with Kane clattering the bar from a free-kick in stoppage time as he sought a show-stopping finale to their sixth straight league win.
A €100m bid for Man Utd and Chelsea target Belotti likely to force transfer, admits Mihajlovic
Sinisa Mihajlovic admits Torino will struggle to keep Andrea Belotti if bids are lodged for the reported Manchester United and Chelsea target.The 23-year-old is expected to spark a transfer scramble when the window re-opens this summer.
With 23 Serie A goals to his name this season, Belotti is a wanted man and a striker attracting admiring glances from across Europe.Any move for him will not come cheap, with Torino hoping to see him stay, but Mihajlovic concedes that any bid which triggers a €100 million release clause will force the club’s hand.
“Everyone loves Belotti for a very simple reason,” the former Milan and Sampdoria boss told reporters.
“Against Udinese, for example, he didn’t waste time celebrating his equaliser, instead rushing to get the ball back to the centre so we could aim for a 3-2 victory.
“This attitude of his fires up the others and that is why he is appreciated not just by the Toro fans, but all those who love football. He’s an old-fashioned centre-forward.
“I think he’d like to stay, but there are many factors involved here. I certainly hope he’ll stay here as long as I am the coach.
“If someone arrives that will pay the release clause, then there’s nothing we can do to hold him back.”Belotti’s 28-goal haul for club and country this season has included two hat-tricks and five braces.
Sinisa Mihajlovic admits Torino will struggle to keep Andrea Belotti if bids are lodged for the reported Manchester United and Chelsea target.The 23-year-old is expected to spark a transfer scramble when the window re-opens this summer.
With 23 Serie A goals to his name this season, Belotti is a wanted man and a striker attracting admiring glances from across Europe.Any move for him will not come cheap, with Torino hoping to see him stay, but Mihajlovic concedes that any bid which triggers a €100 million release clause will force the club’s hand.
“Everyone loves Belotti for a very simple reason,” the former Milan and Sampdoria boss told reporters.
“Against Udinese, for example, he didn’t waste time celebrating his equaliser, instead rushing to get the ball back to the centre so we could aim for a 3-2 victory.
“This attitude of his fires up the others and that is why he is appreciated not just by the Toro fans, but all those who love football. He’s an old-fashioned centre-forward.
“I think he’d like to stay, but there are many factors involved here. I certainly hope he’ll stay here as long as I am the coach.
“If someone arrives that will pay the release clause, then there’s nothing we can do to hold him back.”Belotti’s 28-goal haul for club and country this season has included two hat-tricks and five braces.
Coutinho becomes highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history
Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho has become the highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history after netting against Stoke City on Saturday. The ex-Inter man passed former record-holder Juninho as he levelled the game at the Britannia Stadium, scoring his 30th goal in the top-flight.
Juninho had previously seen his mark equalled in Coutinho's last Premier League run-out, when he hit the net against Bournemouth. The former Atletico Madrid and Celtic man, now retired, scored his goals in three separate spells for Middlesbrough.
Coutinho, however, may soon face competition from a team-mate for the record.
Compatriot Roberto Firmino added the second of the game for Liverpool to put the Reds 2-1 ahead, his 20th strike since moving to Anfield from Hoffenheim in 2015.
Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho has become the highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history after netting against Stoke City on Saturday. The ex-Inter man passed former record-holder Juninho as he levelled the game at the Britannia Stadium, scoring his 30th goal in the top-flight.
Juninho had previously seen his mark equalled in Coutinho's last Premier League run-out, when he hit the net against Bournemouth. The former Atletico Madrid and Celtic man, now retired, scored his goals in three separate spells for Middlesbrough.
Coutinho, however, may soon face competition from a team-mate for the record.
Compatriot Roberto Firmino added the second of the game for Liverpool to put the Reds 2-1 ahead, his 20th strike since moving to Anfield from Hoffenheim in 2015.
Manchester City 3 Hull City 1: Guardiola's men bring up century with convincing win
Manchester City solidified their grip on a place in the Premier League's top four as Pep Guardiola's side took advantage of Hull City's poor away form to claim a convincing 3-1 victory.
Despite taking time to get into their stride at a sun-soaked Etihad Stadium, City all-but wrapped-up the points three minutes after half-time when Sergio Aguero netted the hosts' 100th goal in all competitions this term to put the them 2-0 up.
Eldin Jakupovic had been in fine form to keep the scores level early on, though Hull had been undone prior to Aguero's effort by Ahmed Elmohamady's 31st-minute own-goal.
Only Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea had won more points in 2017 than Marco Silva's side heading into Saturday's clash, though the Tigers - having clawed their way out of the relegation zone in midweek - never looked likely to end their 14-match winless streak on the road.
And the result was duly put beyond all out just after the hour mark when Fabian Delph fired in his first goal of the season, although Claudio Bravo, making his first league start since January in an error-strewn debut season at City, did allow a consolation effort from Andrea Ranocchia to squeak in.
The victory extends the gap between City and fifth-placed Arsenal, who face relegation-threatened Crystal Palace on Monday, to seven points - while Hull remain two points above the drop zone.
Short of the injured Harry Maguire, Hull were carved open inside five minutes - David Silva unable to mark his 300th City appearance with an early goal as Jakupovic reacted instinctively to make a fine save.Jakupovic's work was not done there though, and Hull's goalkeeper was swiftly back on his feet to stop Leroy Sane tucking home the rebound.
With Hull threatening on the counter, Jakupovic remained relatively untroubled until he had to parry over Yaya Toure's goal-bound free-kick.But Jakupovic could do nothing to prevent City's fortunate opener.Silva was at the heart of it with a wonderful pass into Jesus Navas, whose looping cross into the six-yard box was turned in by the hapless Elmohamady.
Hull should have restored parity immediately, but Oumar Niasse somehow failed to turn in Kamil Grosicki's deflected cross from point-blank range.
Elmohamady was involved again as City got the second half off to a flying start.After a brilliant solo run, Raheem Sterling picked out Aguero who, despite the presence of both Elmohamady and Michael Dawson on the goal line, was able to force home a close-range finish.Jakupovic was required once more to keep out Dawson's header towards his own goal from another fantastic Sterling cross with a terrific save.
Sterling was in inspired form, and soon turned provider again with a neat pass into Delph before the England midfielder thumped in an emphatic third.
Silva's landmark appearance came to an end with a standing ovation as he was taken off soon after, and though poor goalkeeping from Bravo allowed Ranocchia to reduce the arrears, it mattered little as City gave themselves some breathing space in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Manchester City solidified their grip on a place in the Premier League's top four as Pep Guardiola's side took advantage of Hull City's poor away form to claim a convincing 3-1 victory.
Despite taking time to get into their stride at a sun-soaked Etihad Stadium, City all-but wrapped-up the points three minutes after half-time when Sergio Aguero netted the hosts' 100th goal in all competitions this term to put the them 2-0 up.
Eldin Jakupovic had been in fine form to keep the scores level early on, though Hull had been undone prior to Aguero's effort by Ahmed Elmohamady's 31st-minute own-goal.
Only Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea had won more points in 2017 than Marco Silva's side heading into Saturday's clash, though the Tigers - having clawed their way out of the relegation zone in midweek - never looked likely to end their 14-match winless streak on the road.
And the result was duly put beyond all out just after the hour mark when Fabian Delph fired in his first goal of the season, although Claudio Bravo, making his first league start since January in an error-strewn debut season at City, did allow a consolation effort from Andrea Ranocchia to squeak in.
The victory extends the gap between City and fifth-placed Arsenal, who face relegation-threatened Crystal Palace on Monday, to seven points - while Hull remain two points above the drop zone.
Short of the injured Harry Maguire, Hull were carved open inside five minutes - David Silva unable to mark his 300th City appearance with an early goal as Jakupovic reacted instinctively to make a fine save.Jakupovic's work was not done there though, and Hull's goalkeeper was swiftly back on his feet to stop Leroy Sane tucking home the rebound.
With Hull threatening on the counter, Jakupovic remained relatively untroubled until he had to parry over Yaya Toure's goal-bound free-kick.But Jakupovic could do nothing to prevent City's fortunate opener.Silva was at the heart of it with a wonderful pass into Jesus Navas, whose looping cross into the six-yard box was turned in by the hapless Elmohamady.
Hull should have restored parity immediately, but Oumar Niasse somehow failed to turn in Kamil Grosicki's deflected cross from point-blank range.
Elmohamady was involved again as City got the second half off to a flying start.After a brilliant solo run, Raheem Sterling picked out Aguero who, despite the presence of both Elmohamady and Michael Dawson on the goal line, was able to force home a close-range finish.Jakupovic was required once more to keep out Dawson's header towards his own goal from another fantastic Sterling cross with a terrific save.
Sterling was in inspired form, and soon turned provider again with a neat pass into Delph before the England midfielder thumped in an emphatic third.
Silva's landmark appearance came to an end with a standing ovation as he was taken off soon after, and though poor goalkeeping from Bravo allowed Ranocchia to reduce the arrears, it mattered little as City gave themselves some breathing space in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Stoke City 1 Liverpool 2: Coutinho and Firmino shine in comeback win
Philippe Coutinho became the Premier League's top scoring Brazilian as the forward and compatriot Roberto Firmino helped Liverpool come from behind to win 2-1 at Stoke City on Saturday.
Jonathan Walters had put Stoke ahead shortly before the interval, heading home from close range after Xherdan Shaqiri's cross rounded off a rapid counter-attack from the hosts after Ben Woodburn's penalty appeal was rejected.
But a half-time double change from Jurgen Klopp turned the game on its head and boosted Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification, with Coutinho and Firmino introduced at the interval.
Coutinho grabbed the equaliser with a neat finish from inside the penalty area and just two minutes later the visitors were in front in stunning fashion.
Firmino let fly with a brilliant volley that gave Lee Grant no chance and, although Simon Mignolet had to deny Saido Berahino his first Stoke goal, Klopp's men held on for a priceless victory.
Liverpool's first win in six away Premier League matches keeps them in third place, while Stoke are not quite safe despite having 36 points on the board after losing their fourth straight league game.
Shaqiri was making his first appearance for Stoke since January and he had the ball in the net after two minutes, only for the offside flag to deny him a goal on his return.
Stoke tested Liverpool's surprise adoption of a back three with sustained early pressure but the first shot came from Divock Origi, whose effort flew well wide after 18 minutes.
Mignolet made a comfortable save from Marko Arnautovic after 28 minutes and the Austrian then hit the side netting from inside the box after Dejan Lovren's mishit clearance looped up kindly.
Shortly before half-time Liverpool were denied strong penalty appeals when Woodburn went down under Pieters' challenge and Stoke promptly scored on the counter-attack.
Lovely build-up play involving Glen Johnson freed Shaqiri on the right side of the penalty area and his chipped cross gave Walters a simple close-range headed finish for his seventh Premier League goal against Liverpool.
Klopp responded by making a double change at the break, bringing on Brazilian duo Coutinho and Firmino for youngsters Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold.Stoke should have extended their lead when Georginio Wijnaldum headed the ball into the danger zone, but Mignolet did well to block Adam's effort with his legs.
Origi bent an effort wide after 54 minutes and Grant had to save from Firmino and Coutinho as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, before Lovren's header crashed against the crossbar.
Coutinho provided the leveller for Liverpool with a history-making 30th Premier League goal, slotting in after a scramble in the Stoke box, and his fellow Brazilian Firmino turned the game around for Liverpool just 126 seconds later.
A ball over the top found Firmino in behind the Stoke defence and he took the shot early, slamming a sensational volley into the top corner and giving Grant no chance.
Liverpool were indebted to Mignolet, however, the goalkeeper making a brilliant reaction save to deny Berahino when the striker looked certain to score from close range, and Klopp's men are now nine points ahead of Arsenal in the race for top-four places.
Philippe Coutinho became the Premier League's top scoring Brazilian as the forward and compatriot Roberto Firmino helped Liverpool come from behind to win 2-1 at Stoke City on Saturday.
Jonathan Walters had put Stoke ahead shortly before the interval, heading home from close range after Xherdan Shaqiri's cross rounded off a rapid counter-attack from the hosts after Ben Woodburn's penalty appeal was rejected.
But a half-time double change from Jurgen Klopp turned the game on its head and boosted Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification, with Coutinho and Firmino introduced at the interval.
Coutinho grabbed the equaliser with a neat finish from inside the penalty area and just two minutes later the visitors were in front in stunning fashion.
Firmino let fly with a brilliant volley that gave Lee Grant no chance and, although Simon Mignolet had to deny Saido Berahino his first Stoke goal, Klopp's men held on for a priceless victory.
Liverpool's first win in six away Premier League matches keeps them in third place, while Stoke are not quite safe despite having 36 points on the board after losing their fourth straight league game.
Shaqiri was making his first appearance for Stoke since January and he had the ball in the net after two minutes, only for the offside flag to deny him a goal on his return.
Stoke tested Liverpool's surprise adoption of a back three with sustained early pressure but the first shot came from Divock Origi, whose effort flew well wide after 18 minutes.
Mignolet made a comfortable save from Marko Arnautovic after 28 minutes and the Austrian then hit the side netting from inside the box after Dejan Lovren's mishit clearance looped up kindly.
Shortly before half-time Liverpool were denied strong penalty appeals when Woodburn went down under Pieters' challenge and Stoke promptly scored on the counter-attack.
Lovely build-up play involving Glen Johnson freed Shaqiri on the right side of the penalty area and his chipped cross gave Walters a simple close-range headed finish for his seventh Premier League goal against Liverpool.
Klopp responded by making a double change at the break, bringing on Brazilian duo Coutinho and Firmino for youngsters Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold.Stoke should have extended their lead when Georginio Wijnaldum headed the ball into the danger zone, but Mignolet did well to block Adam's effort with his legs.
Origi bent an effort wide after 54 minutes and Grant had to save from Firmino and Coutinho as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, before Lovren's header crashed against the crossbar.
Coutinho provided the leveller for Liverpool with a history-making 30th Premier League goal, slotting in after a scramble in the Stoke box, and his fellow Brazilian Firmino turned the game around for Liverpool just 126 seconds later.
A ball over the top found Firmino in behind the Stoke defence and he took the shot early, slamming a sensational volley into the top corner and giving Grant no chance.
Liverpool were indebted to Mignolet, however, the goalkeeper making a brilliant reaction save to deny Berahino when the striker looked certain to score from close range, and Klopp's men are now nine points ahead of Arsenal in the race for top-four places.
Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1: Griezmann denies leaders in derby
Real Madrid were denied a first home win over Atletico Madrid in four attempts as Antoine Griezmann snatched a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Pepe's opener had looked likely to give the home side all three points and a major step towards a first LaLiga title since 2012, only for Griezmann to level matters five minutes from the end of normal time.
Atletico are the only team to have faced Zidane's Madrid away from home and kept a clean sheet, while Diego Simeone's side had won on their last three visits in the league, but they were second-best for the majority of a sun-baked encounter.
It took strong saves from Jan Oblak and a remarkable clearance from Stefan Savic following a Cristiano Ronaldo strike to keep the scores level in the first half, but Pepe made the home side's pressure count with a fine header early in the second.
Atleti had offered little by way of a serious threat to the Madrid goal but they found an equaliser in the closing stages, with Griezmann slotting home his 15th league goal of the season.
The draw sees Madrid move three points clear of champions Barcelona, who face Malaga later on Saturday, but frustrations around the Bernabeu were clear at the end of Zidane's 50th league match in charge.
Saul Niguez glanced an early header past Keylor Navas' far post but it was Oblak who made the first save of the match, getting down low to his right to stop a fierce strike from Ronaldo from the edge of the area.
Madrid looked the more settled on the ball without posing too many concerns for the Atleti back four, although Oblak had to stick out a strong arm to keep out Karim Benzema's strike after a clever one-two with Ronaldo.
Oblak was beaten on the half-hour mark but Savic came to Atletico's rescue, the centre-back heading Ronaldo's strike from close range up and over the crossbar from almost on the goal line.
Griezmann had been starved of service but his best chance of the first half came from a poor Sergio Ramos pass, the forward driving towards goal after picking up the loose ball before testing Navas with a low strike from 25 yards out.
Madrid resumed their dominance of the ball straight from kick-off in the second half and could have scored twice in the opening three minutes. Ronaldo nodded a Marcelo cross wide before Benzema was thwarted by a good block from Oblak after he turned his strike partner's header goalwards.
But Oblak could do nothing to stop Madrid taking the lead on 52 minutes through an unlikely source. Toni Kroos swept in a fine free-kick from the right and Pepe powered his header back across goal and into the corner of the net.
Dani Carvajal rifled over moments later but Fernando Torres should have levelled matters just before the hour mark, the veteran striker shooting straight at Navas after racing in behind Ramos to meet Yannick Carrasco's pass.
Pepe gave Zidane some cause for concern 23 minutes from time when he was forced off following a collision with Kroos on the edge of the area, while Simeone threw on Angel Correa in an effort to breathe life into Atleti's attack.
Griezmann forced a good save from Navas with a spectacular overhead kick - although the offside flag had already been raised - but the France star found the net with his next opening, firing low past Navas from 12 yards to rescue a point after Correa had threaded a fine pass between Carvajal and substitute Nacho.
Real Madrid were denied a first home win over Atletico Madrid in four attempts as Antoine Griezmann snatched a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Pepe's opener had looked likely to give the home side all three points and a major step towards a first LaLiga title since 2012, only for Griezmann to level matters five minutes from the end of normal time.
Atletico are the only team to have faced Zidane's Madrid away from home and kept a clean sheet, while Diego Simeone's side had won on their last three visits in the league, but they were second-best for the majority of a sun-baked encounter.
It took strong saves from Jan Oblak and a remarkable clearance from Stefan Savic following a Cristiano Ronaldo strike to keep the scores level in the first half, but Pepe made the home side's pressure count with a fine header early in the second.
Atleti had offered little by way of a serious threat to the Madrid goal but they found an equaliser in the closing stages, with Griezmann slotting home his 15th league goal of the season.
The draw sees Madrid move three points clear of champions Barcelona, who face Malaga later on Saturday, but frustrations around the Bernabeu were clear at the end of Zidane's 50th league match in charge.
Saul Niguez glanced an early header past Keylor Navas' far post but it was Oblak who made the first save of the match, getting down low to his right to stop a fierce strike from Ronaldo from the edge of the area.
Madrid looked the more settled on the ball without posing too many concerns for the Atleti back four, although Oblak had to stick out a strong arm to keep out Karim Benzema's strike after a clever one-two with Ronaldo.
Oblak was beaten on the half-hour mark but Savic came to Atletico's rescue, the centre-back heading Ronaldo's strike from close range up and over the crossbar from almost on the goal line.
Griezmann had been starved of service but his best chance of the first half came from a poor Sergio Ramos pass, the forward driving towards goal after picking up the loose ball before testing Navas with a low strike from 25 yards out.
Madrid resumed their dominance of the ball straight from kick-off in the second half and could have scored twice in the opening three minutes. Ronaldo nodded a Marcelo cross wide before Benzema was thwarted by a good block from Oblak after he turned his strike partner's header goalwards.
But Oblak could do nothing to stop Madrid taking the lead on 52 minutes through an unlikely source. Toni Kroos swept in a fine free-kick from the right and Pepe powered his header back across goal and into the corner of the net.
Dani Carvajal rifled over moments later but Fernando Torres should have levelled matters just before the hour mark, the veteran striker shooting straight at Navas after racing in behind Ramos to meet Yannick Carrasco's pass.
Pepe gave Zidane some cause for concern 23 minutes from time when he was forced off following a collision with Kroos on the edge of the area, while Simeone threw on Angel Correa in an effort to breathe life into Atleti's attack.
Griezmann forced a good save from Navas with a spectacular overhead kick - although the offside flag had already been raised - but the France star found the net with his next opening, firing low past Navas from 12 yards to rescue a point after Correa had threaded a fine pass between Carvajal and substitute Nacho.
Angers 0 Monaco 1: Falcao goal earns battling win for leaders
Radamel Falcao netted his 17th league goal of the season as Monaco cemented their place at the top of Ligue 1 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Angers at the Stade Raymond Kopa.
Making his first start since suffering a hip injury in February, the Colombian striker claimed what proved to be the winner on the hour mark, calmly sweeping the ball home close range having been teed up by Nabil Dirar.
The goal came completely against the run of play as the mid-table hosts had looked the better side for long periods with Cameroon international Karl Toko Ekambi guilty of squandering three excellent first-half chances and leading scorer Famara Diedhiou seeing a well-struck effort saved by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
Having taken the lead, however, Monaco grew in confidence and Alexandre Letellier was forced to produce a string of fine saves to deny Falcao, Thomas Lemar and Valere Germain. But the visitors almost came unstuck right at the death as Diedhiou's header struck the post with Subasic beaten.
The win, their fifth in succession in the league, saw Leonardo Jardim's men increase their lead at the top of the table to four points and capped a good week in which they also secured a place in the last four of the Coupe de France.For luckless Angers, meanwhile, it was a first home defeat in all competitions since the turn of the year.
Radamel Falcao netted his 17th league goal of the season as Monaco cemented their place at the top of Ligue 1 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Angers at the Stade Raymond Kopa.
Making his first start since suffering a hip injury in February, the Colombian striker claimed what proved to be the winner on the hour mark, calmly sweeping the ball home close range having been teed up by Nabil Dirar.
The goal came completely against the run of play as the mid-table hosts had looked the better side for long periods with Cameroon international Karl Toko Ekambi guilty of squandering three excellent first-half chances and leading scorer Famara Diedhiou seeing a well-struck effort saved by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.
Having taken the lead, however, Monaco grew in confidence and Alexandre Letellier was forced to produce a string of fine saves to deny Falcao, Thomas Lemar and Valere Germain. But the visitors almost came unstuck right at the death as Diedhiou's header struck the post with Subasic beaten.
The win, their fifth in succession in the league, saw Leonardo Jardim's men increase their lead at the top of the table to four points and capped a good week in which they also secured a place in the last four of the Coupe de France.For luckless Angers, meanwhile, it was a first home defeat in all competitions since the turn of the year.
Bournemouth 1 Chelsea 3: Conte's men restore seven-point lead
Chelsea continued their march to the Premier League title by restoring their seven-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Tottenham beat Watford 4-0 earlier in the day to put pressure on the leaders, but Chelsea responded in the late kick-off by scoring twice in three first-half minutes to set up their third successive away league victory.
Adam Smith was unfortunate to deflect Diego Costa's shot into his own net after 17 minutes and Chelsea capitalised on that slice of luck with a quickfire second strike.N'Golo Kante sent Eden Hazard through with a superb crossfield pass and the Belgian winger raced clear to score his 14th Premier League goal of the season.
Chelsea seemed to be cruising, but shortly before half-time the in-form forward Joshua King grabbed one back with a deflected drive, and the leaders endured nervous moments before a brilliant Marcos Alonso free-kick settled the match.
Defeat leaves Eddie Howe's men 15th in the Premier League, seven points above the relegation zone, while Antonio Conte's men are closing in on the title in the Italian's first season in charge.
Thibaut Courtois had to make an important save in the first minute after David Luiz inadvertently turned a Ryan Fraser cross towards his own goal and Hazard headed Cesar Azpilicueta's cross wide in a lively opening at a sun-drenched Vitality Stadium.
Jack Wilshere's throughball sent Fraser one on one with Luiz after 15 minutes, but the winger wasted the chance by shooting wide and Chelsea took full advantage by scoring a scrappy opening goal moments later.
A searching diagonal ball found Victor Moses and he fed Costa in the box, the striker turning and firing into Artur Boruc's bottom-right corner via a sizeable deflection off Smith's head.
Hazard had scored three goals in three previous appearances against Bournemouth and, when a long Kante ball sent him through on goal, he continued the streak by rounding Boruc to slot home from a tight angle.
Bournemouth were inches away from getting back into the game after 27 minutes when Benik Afobe met a left-wing Charlie Daniels cross on the volley, his effort striking the inside of the post.
Costa's shot deflected narrowly wide and Pedro tested Boruc from the resulting corner, then Moses headed Hazard's cross off-target as chances continued to flow for the visitors.
Bournemouth cut the deficit three minutes before half-time, with King scoring his 10th goal in his last 11 Premier League games, although his 20-yard drive needed a deflection off Luiz to beat Courtois.
Fraser fired narrowly wide four minutes after the interval as Bournemouth continued to threaten, then Costa failed to turn Alonso's low cross home as he sought his 50th Premier League goal.
Bournemouth scored a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Liverpool on Wednesday, but there was to be no repeat as Chelsea made the points safe with 67 minutes played.
Alonso bent a perfect free-kick into Boruc's top-left corner to score his fifth league goal of the season and Boruc denied Moses and Costa efforts to keep the scoreline respectable, as Conte's men moved a step closer to Premier League glory.
Chelsea continued their march to the Premier League title by restoring their seven-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Tottenham beat Watford 4-0 earlier in the day to put pressure on the leaders, but Chelsea responded in the late kick-off by scoring twice in three first-half minutes to set up their third successive away league victory.
Adam Smith was unfortunate to deflect Diego Costa's shot into his own net after 17 minutes and Chelsea capitalised on that slice of luck with a quickfire second strike.N'Golo Kante sent Eden Hazard through with a superb crossfield pass and the Belgian winger raced clear to score his 14th Premier League goal of the season.
Chelsea seemed to be cruising, but shortly before half-time the in-form forward Joshua King grabbed one back with a deflected drive, and the leaders endured nervous moments before a brilliant Marcos Alonso free-kick settled the match.
Defeat leaves Eddie Howe's men 15th in the Premier League, seven points above the relegation zone, while Antonio Conte's men are closing in on the title in the Italian's first season in charge.
Thibaut Courtois had to make an important save in the first minute after David Luiz inadvertently turned a Ryan Fraser cross towards his own goal and Hazard headed Cesar Azpilicueta's cross wide in a lively opening at a sun-drenched Vitality Stadium.
Jack Wilshere's throughball sent Fraser one on one with Luiz after 15 minutes, but the winger wasted the chance by shooting wide and Chelsea took full advantage by scoring a scrappy opening goal moments later.
A searching diagonal ball found Victor Moses and he fed Costa in the box, the striker turning and firing into Artur Boruc's bottom-right corner via a sizeable deflection off Smith's head.
Hazard had scored three goals in three previous appearances against Bournemouth and, when a long Kante ball sent him through on goal, he continued the streak by rounding Boruc to slot home from a tight angle.
Bournemouth were inches away from getting back into the game after 27 minutes when Benik Afobe met a left-wing Charlie Daniels cross on the volley, his effort striking the inside of the post.
Costa's shot deflected narrowly wide and Pedro tested Boruc from the resulting corner, then Moses headed Hazard's cross off-target as chances continued to flow for the visitors.
Bournemouth cut the deficit three minutes before half-time, with King scoring his 10th goal in his last 11 Premier League games, although his 20-yard drive needed a deflection off Luiz to beat Courtois.
Fraser fired narrowly wide four minutes after the interval as Bournemouth continued to threaten, then Costa failed to turn Alonso's low cross home as he sought his 50th Premier League goal.
Bournemouth scored a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Liverpool on Wednesday, but there was to be no repeat as Chelsea made the points safe with 67 minutes played.
Alonso bent a perfect free-kick into Boruc's top-left corner to score his fifth league goal of the season and Boruc denied Moses and Costa efforts to keep the scoreline respectable, as Conte's men moved a step closer to Premier League glory.
Top-four race will run until the final day, claims Guardiola
Pep Guardiola believes the race for the Premier League top four will run until the final game of the season, after his Manchester City side moved seven points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
City never looked likely to slip-up against relegation-threatened Hull City and, despite Claudio Bravo's late error, strikes from Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph - combined with Ahmed Elmohamady's earlier own goal - secured a convincing 3-1 win.But, after seeing his side bring up their 100th goal in all competitions this term, Guardiola insisted that there are still no guarantees of Champions League football next term.
"It was important for us to win after many days without a win. We started well and created chances and we had the right attitude," Guardiola told BBC Sport."We could have scored many more goals. It is frustrating not go get a clean sheet but we defended poorly at set-pieces."The fight for the top four will definitely go to the last day."
Raheem Sterling was on fine form for City on Saturday, turning provider for both Aguero and Delph's goals, but the England winger was full of praise for team-mate David Silva.
Former Valencia playmaker Silva wore the captain's armband on his 300th City appearance, and Sterling reiterated just how important the Spaniard is to City's play."We needed a win. We've dropped a few points and we needed to get back to winning ways," Sterling said.
"[Silva] was brilliant. We know what he can do in the final third and all over the pitch. He's brilliant and he never shies away from wanting the ball."I've learnt so much off him over the past few years and hopefully that can continue."
Meanwhile, Hull boss Marco Silva - whose side remain two points above the relegation zone thanks to Swansea City's defeat to West Ham, still has confidence that the Tigers will beat the drop."The second goal was the key but they deserved to win the game," Silva conceded.
"It is in our hands, we have six games to go and we will work hard. Since I came here I was confident and I have passed that on to our players."
Pep Guardiola believes the race for the Premier League top four will run until the final game of the season, after his Manchester City side moved seven points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
City never looked likely to slip-up against relegation-threatened Hull City and, despite Claudio Bravo's late error, strikes from Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph - combined with Ahmed Elmohamady's earlier own goal - secured a convincing 3-1 win.But, after seeing his side bring up their 100th goal in all competitions this term, Guardiola insisted that there are still no guarantees of Champions League football next term.
"It was important for us to win after many days without a win. We started well and created chances and we had the right attitude," Guardiola told BBC Sport."We could have scored many more goals. It is frustrating not go get a clean sheet but we defended poorly at set-pieces."The fight for the top four will definitely go to the last day."
Raheem Sterling was on fine form for City on Saturday, turning provider for both Aguero and Delph's goals, but the England winger was full of praise for team-mate David Silva.
Former Valencia playmaker Silva wore the captain's armband on his 300th City appearance, and Sterling reiterated just how important the Spaniard is to City's play."We needed a win. We've dropped a few points and we needed to get back to winning ways," Sterling said.
"[Silva] was brilliant. We know what he can do in the final third and all over the pitch. He's brilliant and he never shies away from wanting the ball."I've learnt so much off him over the past few years and hopefully that can continue."
Meanwhile, Hull boss Marco Silva - whose side remain two points above the relegation zone thanks to Swansea City's defeat to West Ham, still has confidence that the Tigers will beat the drop."The second goal was the key but they deserved to win the game," Silva conceded.
"It is in our hands, we have six games to go and we will work hard. Since I came here I was confident and I have passed that on to our players."
Bayern Munich 4 Borussia Dortmund 1: Robben and Ribery seal Klassiker win
Bayern Munich thirtysomethings Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben showed there is no substitute for experience as they combined to see off Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in Der Klassiker.
Dortmund started with three teenagers in their starting XI but the visitors were overwhelmed at the Allianz Arena with Ribery and Robben both on the scoresheet, to add to a brace from former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, as Carlo Ancelotti's men inched ever closer to a fifth Bundesliga title.
The win restored Bayern's 10-point lead at the summit following RB Leipzig's victory over Bayer Leverkusen earlier on Saturday with just six rounds remaining.
Dortmund have been Bayern's closest domestic challengers over recent seasons and while their policy of hoovering up Europe's best young players may pay dividends in the years to come they were a distant second best here.
Ribery opened the scoring inside four minutes and Lewandowski, who later sustained a shoulder injury and had to be forced off, curled home a 25-yard free-kick six minutes later.
A thunderbolt from Raphael Guerreiro gave Dortmund hope but Robben and Lewandowski, from the penalty spot, gave the scoreline a more realistic look with second-half goals.
It was Dortmund who started the brighter, Ousmane Dembele cutting inside Jerome Boateng before shooting horribly wide when he ought to have tested Sven Ulreich, deputising for the injured Manuel Neuer.
Ribery was more clinical than his French compatriot a minute later, putting Bayern into a 186-second lead when he latched on to Philipp Lahm's scuffed cross and fired a low drive under Roman Burki.
Ribery, 34 on Friday, and 33-year-old Robben were rolling back the years on the Bayern wings and it was the former who was again involved as Carlo Ancelotti's men doubled their advantage in the 10th minute.
The ex-Marseille man was felled on the edge of the area and Lewandowski slotted in the set-piece from the edge of the box with Burki slow to get across his line.Robben was giving Marcel Schmelzer a torrid afternoon and he came agonisingly close to making it 3-0 after 17 minutes with a trademark run in from the right before curling a shot just past the post.
Dortmund were in danger of being overrun but, out of nowhere, they hit back. Boateng was again sloppy, his clearance falling as far as Guerreiro on the edge of the area and he crashed a left-footed half-volley past Ulreich and high into the top corner.
Schmelzer's inability to keep Robben on his right foot was proving a real problem for Dortmund and Burki twice had to make saves from the Dutchman as he attempted to restore Bayern's two-goal advantage towards the end of an entertaining first half.Schmelzer clearly had not learned his lesson as from Bayern's first notable attack of the second period they scored again.
Ribery picked out Robben in acres of space down the right and he casually stepped inside Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Schmelzer before curling past Burki.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who started the day as the Bundesliga's top scorer with 25 goals but ended it one behind Lewandowski, was largely anonymous but could have halved the deficit after 67 minutes, bursting clean through only to see his shot cleared off the line by Boateng.
Bayern put the result beyond doubt a minute later, Lewandowski winning and converting a penalty after he was tripped by Burki but appearing to injure his right shoulder in the process.
Ancelotti will hope the Poland international recovers ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie with Real Madrid as Bayern seek to edge a step closer to European success to add to what will inevitably be another Bundesliga crown.
Bayern Munich thirtysomethings Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben showed there is no substitute for experience as they combined to see off Borussia Dortmund 4-1 in Der Klassiker.
Dortmund started with three teenagers in their starting XI but the visitors were overwhelmed at the Allianz Arena with Ribery and Robben both on the scoresheet, to add to a brace from former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, as Carlo Ancelotti's men inched ever closer to a fifth Bundesliga title.
The win restored Bayern's 10-point lead at the summit following RB Leipzig's victory over Bayer Leverkusen earlier on Saturday with just six rounds remaining.
Dortmund have been Bayern's closest domestic challengers over recent seasons and while their policy of hoovering up Europe's best young players may pay dividends in the years to come they were a distant second best here.
Ribery opened the scoring inside four minutes and Lewandowski, who later sustained a shoulder injury and had to be forced off, curled home a 25-yard free-kick six minutes later.
A thunderbolt from Raphael Guerreiro gave Dortmund hope but Robben and Lewandowski, from the penalty spot, gave the scoreline a more realistic look with second-half goals.
It was Dortmund who started the brighter, Ousmane Dembele cutting inside Jerome Boateng before shooting horribly wide when he ought to have tested Sven Ulreich, deputising for the injured Manuel Neuer.
Ribery was more clinical than his French compatriot a minute later, putting Bayern into a 186-second lead when he latched on to Philipp Lahm's scuffed cross and fired a low drive under Roman Burki.
Ribery, 34 on Friday, and 33-year-old Robben were rolling back the years on the Bayern wings and it was the former who was again involved as Carlo Ancelotti's men doubled their advantage in the 10th minute.
The ex-Marseille man was felled on the edge of the area and Lewandowski slotted in the set-piece from the edge of the box with Burki slow to get across his line.Robben was giving Marcel Schmelzer a torrid afternoon and he came agonisingly close to making it 3-0 after 17 minutes with a trademark run in from the right before curling a shot just past the post.
Dortmund were in danger of being overrun but, out of nowhere, they hit back. Boateng was again sloppy, his clearance falling as far as Guerreiro on the edge of the area and he crashed a left-footed half-volley past Ulreich and high into the top corner.
Schmelzer's inability to keep Robben on his right foot was proving a real problem for Dortmund and Burki twice had to make saves from the Dutchman as he attempted to restore Bayern's two-goal advantage towards the end of an entertaining first half.Schmelzer clearly had not learned his lesson as from Bayern's first notable attack of the second period they scored again.
Ribery picked out Robben in acres of space down the right and he casually stepped inside Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Schmelzer before curling past Burki.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who started the day as the Bundesliga's top scorer with 25 goals but ended it one behind Lewandowski, was largely anonymous but could have halved the deficit after 67 minutes, bursting clean through only to see his shot cleared off the line by Boateng.
Bayern put the result beyond doubt a minute later, Lewandowski winning and converting a penalty after he was tripped by Burki but appearing to injure his right shoulder in the process.
Ancelotti will hope the Poland international recovers ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie with Real Madrid as Bayern seek to edge a step closer to European success to add to what will inevitably be another Bundesliga crown.
Malaga 2 Barcelona 0: Neymar sent off as Sandro shocks former club
Neymar was sent off as Barcelona's title hopes suffered a shock setback with a 2-0 defeat against Malaga in Saturday's LaLiga encounter at La Rosaleda.
Luis Enrique's men would have moved level on points with Real Madrid with a win following the capital side's earlier draw against Atletico Madrid, but the Catalans endured a miserable evening as they returned home empty-handed instead.
Sandro Ramirez dealt his former club's hopes of going top of the league a blow before the break when he made the most of some poor defending from Jeremy Mathieu.
And things went from bad to worse after the interval with a second booking for Neymar - his first red card in LaLiga - following a reckless foul on Diego Llorente near the corner flag.Jony then added a second in stoppage time at the end of counter-attack as the champions chased a way back into the game that never materialised.
Barcelona had every reason to be confident heading into the encounter, having gone unbeaten at the Rosaleda in the league since 2003, but the scoreless draw from the reverse fixture was an indication that Malaga would not be pushovers.
Michel's men drew extra confidence from their 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon in midweek, thus ending a six-game winless streak, and they frustrated Barcelona for a second time in 2016-17 following a strong display, Sandro and Jony the heroes for the hosts.The result means Barcelona remain three points off the pace, while leaders Madrid still have a game in hand.
Barcelona were in charge right from the off and Luis Suarez came close to handing the Catalans the lead in the 16th minute. The Uruguay international did well to bring down Jordi Alba's long ball after beating the offside trap, only to then aim a shot straight at goalkeeper Carlos Kameni from inside the area.
Malaga slowly grew into the game from there on and Recio could have handed his side a surprise lead halfway through the first half after a poor pass from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but the midfielder aimed wide from 30 yards out as the Barcelona goalkeeper was fortunate not to be punished for his sloppy play.
And the hosts did go a goal up when Sandro found the net following a rapid counterattack in the 32nd minute, beating Ter Stegen with a low shot at the near post after some unconvincing defending from Mathieu.
Barcelona continued to dominate possession after the break, but they nearly went two goals down in the 57th minute after Sandro did well to set up Juanpi in a dangerous position, the Venezuelan midfielder aiming a shot straight at Ter Stegen.
A superb individual moment from Neymar then almost resulted in the equaliser on the hour mark, but the winger saw his shot from a narrow angle hit the upright before bouncing wide for a goalkick.
The Brazilian's frustrations got the better of him in the 65th minute and referee Jesus Gil Manzano saw no other option but to show the attacker his second yellow card of the evening after a reckless challenge on Llorente.
Malaga thought they had doubled their lead when Adalberto Penaranda had the ball in the net after a quick break, but the goal was questionably chalked off for offside.
The linesman's decision would have no influence on the final result, however, as Malaga got their second goal after all in the dying minutes. Pablo Fornals coolly laid the ball off for Jony after yet another counter-attack and the substitute had no trouble firing home to seal the win.
Neymar was sent off as Barcelona's title hopes suffered a shock setback with a 2-0 defeat against Malaga in Saturday's LaLiga encounter at La Rosaleda.
Luis Enrique's men would have moved level on points with Real Madrid with a win following the capital side's earlier draw against Atletico Madrid, but the Catalans endured a miserable evening as they returned home empty-handed instead.
Sandro Ramirez dealt his former club's hopes of going top of the league a blow before the break when he made the most of some poor defending from Jeremy Mathieu.
And things went from bad to worse after the interval with a second booking for Neymar - his first red card in LaLiga - following a reckless foul on Diego Llorente near the corner flag.Jony then added a second in stoppage time at the end of counter-attack as the champions chased a way back into the game that never materialised.
Barcelona had every reason to be confident heading into the encounter, having gone unbeaten at the Rosaleda in the league since 2003, but the scoreless draw from the reverse fixture was an indication that Malaga would not be pushovers.
Michel's men drew extra confidence from their 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon in midweek, thus ending a six-game winless streak, and they frustrated Barcelona for a second time in 2016-17 following a strong display, Sandro and Jony the heroes for the hosts.The result means Barcelona remain three points off the pace, while leaders Madrid still have a game in hand.
Barcelona were in charge right from the off and Luis Suarez came close to handing the Catalans the lead in the 16th minute. The Uruguay international did well to bring down Jordi Alba's long ball after beating the offside trap, only to then aim a shot straight at goalkeeper Carlos Kameni from inside the area.
Malaga slowly grew into the game from there on and Recio could have handed his side a surprise lead halfway through the first half after a poor pass from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but the midfielder aimed wide from 30 yards out as the Barcelona goalkeeper was fortunate not to be punished for his sloppy play.
And the hosts did go a goal up when Sandro found the net following a rapid counterattack in the 32nd minute, beating Ter Stegen with a low shot at the near post after some unconvincing defending from Mathieu.
Barcelona continued to dominate possession after the break, but they nearly went two goals down in the 57th minute after Sandro did well to set up Juanpi in a dangerous position, the Venezuelan midfielder aiming a shot straight at Ter Stegen.
A superb individual moment from Neymar then almost resulted in the equaliser on the hour mark, but the winger saw his shot from a narrow angle hit the upright before bouncing wide for a goalkick.
The Brazilian's frustrations got the better of him in the 65th minute and referee Jesus Gil Manzano saw no other option but to show the attacker his second yellow card of the evening after a reckless challenge on Llorente.
Malaga thought they had doubled their lead when Adalberto Penaranda had the ball in the net after a quick break, but the goal was questionably chalked off for offside.
The linesman's decision would have no influence on the final result, however, as Malaga got their second goal after all in the dying minutes. Pablo Fornals coolly laid the ball off for Jony after yet another counter-attack and the substitute had no trouble firing home to seal the win.
Juventus 2 Chievo 0: Higuain ends drought in nervy win
Gonzalo Higuain brought an uncharacteristic Serie A goal drought to an end as he fired Juventus to victory with both strikes in a 2-0 win against Chievo in Turin.
Higuain had gone five league games without scoring before breaking through in the opening period of a triumph that sends Juve nine points clear of second-placed Roma, who take on Bolgona on Sunday, at the summit.
Although Higuain had gone over a month without scoring prior to the Coppa Italia clash with former club Napoli in midweek, the 29-year-old now has four goals in his last two outings and is hitting form again in time to take on Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.
However, his two strikes - the second an 84th-minute finish that took his Serie A tally this season to 21 - were rare bright spots in an underwhelming Juve performance as nerves set in for a side that had drawn two of their last four top-flight matches prior to kick-off.
The champions toiled after cruising into the lead and Chievo threatened to pinch a leveller on a couple of occasions before Higuain struck late on.Juve have now won 32 consecutive home league matches and a sixth successive Scudetto is moving ever closer to their reach.
Higuain started for Massimiliano Allegri's men despite talk he would be rested ahead of the meeting with Barca, with key changes instead coming in defence as Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci dropped out of the side that had drew 1-1 with Napoli in their last league game.
The fluency of Juve's all-star attack soon showed as Sami Khedira forced a low stop from Andrea Seculin with his firm strike, before the goalkeeper turned Paulo Dybala's rising shot over the crossbar and gathered a second effort from the same player.
In the 23rd minute, Higuain was devastating when presented with his first sight of goal, calmly placing a finish into the bottom-left corner from Dybala's pinpoint pass.
However, the hosts' momentum slowed after the goal, with Chievo mustering the game's next chance at the start of the second half as Gianluigi Buffon parried Sergio Pellissier's drive.
A tame Riccardo Meggiorini header again worked Buffon, but, keen not to risk their phenomenal home run, Juve heeded these warnings and kicked on once more.
Higuain almost doubled his tally as he spun to flash a shot just wide of the right-hand post from the edge of the area, before the Argentina international then drew a save from Seculin with a teasing effort.
Chievo continued to threaten, though, and Roberto Inglese nodded wide when well placed from Valter Birsa's cross, with Dybala then squandering an opportunity to seal victory as he dragged wide at the other end.
Higuain had been Juve's star man, as so often this season, but he failed to hit the target with a great chance, somehow slicing off target after a neat turn inside the box.
However, Higuain finally put the game to bed as he steadied himself to blast beyond the committed Seculin after fine work in the build-up from Dybala and Stephan Lichtsteiner, meaning Juve take on Barca on the back of a win.
Gonzalo Higuain brought an uncharacteristic Serie A goal drought to an end as he fired Juventus to victory with both strikes in a 2-0 win against Chievo in Turin.
Higuain had gone five league games without scoring before breaking through in the opening period of a triumph that sends Juve nine points clear of second-placed Roma, who take on Bolgona on Sunday, at the summit.
Although Higuain had gone over a month without scoring prior to the Coppa Italia clash with former club Napoli in midweek, the 29-year-old now has four goals in his last two outings and is hitting form again in time to take on Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.
However, his two strikes - the second an 84th-minute finish that took his Serie A tally this season to 21 - were rare bright spots in an underwhelming Juve performance as nerves set in for a side that had drawn two of their last four top-flight matches prior to kick-off.
The champions toiled after cruising into the lead and Chievo threatened to pinch a leveller on a couple of occasions before Higuain struck late on.Juve have now won 32 consecutive home league matches and a sixth successive Scudetto is moving ever closer to their reach.
Higuain started for Massimiliano Allegri's men despite talk he would be rested ahead of the meeting with Barca, with key changes instead coming in defence as Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci dropped out of the side that had drew 1-1 with Napoli in their last league game.
The fluency of Juve's all-star attack soon showed as Sami Khedira forced a low stop from Andrea Seculin with his firm strike, before the goalkeeper turned Paulo Dybala's rising shot over the crossbar and gathered a second effort from the same player.
In the 23rd minute, Higuain was devastating when presented with his first sight of goal, calmly placing a finish into the bottom-left corner from Dybala's pinpoint pass.
However, the hosts' momentum slowed after the goal, with Chievo mustering the game's next chance at the start of the second half as Gianluigi Buffon parried Sergio Pellissier's drive.
A tame Riccardo Meggiorini header again worked Buffon, but, keen not to risk their phenomenal home run, Juve heeded these warnings and kicked on once more.
Higuain almost doubled his tally as he spun to flash a shot just wide of the right-hand post from the edge of the area, before the Argentina international then drew a save from Seculin with a teasing effort.
Chievo continued to threaten, though, and Roberto Inglese nodded wide when well placed from Valter Birsa's cross, with Dybala then squandering an opportunity to seal victory as he dragged wide at the other end.
Higuain had been Juve's star man, as so often this season, but he failed to hit the target with a great chance, somehow slicing off target after a neat turn inside the box.
However, Higuain finally put the game to bed as he steadied himself to blast beyond the committed Seculin after fine work in the build-up from Dybala and Stephan Lichtsteiner, meaning Juve take on Barca on the back of a win.
'Mourinho tells you if you're s***' - Zlatan backs Man United boss
Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Jose Mourinho is doing his best with a Manchester United squad that is not up to scratch, while he says even a top-four finish would be a disappointment for him.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has been United's star man this season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions, but his side are struggling to secure Champions League football for next season.
Ahead of facing Sunderland on Sunday, Mourinho's men are seven points behind fourth-placed rivals Manchester City - with two games in hand - but Ibrahimovic has defended his manager's disappointing first season in charge.
"I think [Mourinho] is doing the absolute maximum with the team he has," he told the Daily Mail. "Two hundred per cent. If we were good enough to be number one, we would be number one in the table.
"He still has the same winning mentality, because that you don't lose. When you have it, you have it. It is nothing you learn or can try to be. Either you are, or you are not"I know him very well. He is direct in his work. He likes to look into your eyes and tell you if you're s*** or not. I prefer that.
"He sends you the message he is thinking and he is the boss - he decides and controls the situation. It is the way it works and I am from the old generation, which I think was more like that."At half-time against Everton [on Tuesday] he told us we were not good enough. We should hear it because we were not."
Ibrahimovic has become accustomed to winning league titles in a successful career with Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG, but United are a mammoth 21 points behind league-leaders Chelsea, although they lifted the League Cup in February.While the 35-year-old has hinted at extending the one-year deal he signed at Old Trafford in 2016, he added that he struggles with the club's lowly position.
"Even top four is a disappointment, because the last time I didn't win a title was 2012 when Milan came second. The last time before that was at Ajax in 2003. I am not used to being where I am now," he said.
"So this is something new for me, a situation I learn from. I don't accept we are sixth, but I accept that I am here and I have to work through it. That's the way it is."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Jose Mourinho is doing his best with a Manchester United squad that is not up to scratch, while he says even a top-four finish would be a disappointment for him.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has been United's star man this season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions, but his side are struggling to secure Champions League football for next season.
Ahead of facing Sunderland on Sunday, Mourinho's men are seven points behind fourth-placed rivals Manchester City - with two games in hand - but Ibrahimovic has defended his manager's disappointing first season in charge.
"I think [Mourinho] is doing the absolute maximum with the team he has," he told the Daily Mail. "Two hundred per cent. If we were good enough to be number one, we would be number one in the table.
"He still has the same winning mentality, because that you don't lose. When you have it, you have it. It is nothing you learn or can try to be. Either you are, or you are not"I know him very well. He is direct in his work. He likes to look into your eyes and tell you if you're s*** or not. I prefer that.
"He sends you the message he is thinking and he is the boss - he decides and controls the situation. It is the way it works and I am from the old generation, which I think was more like that."At half-time against Everton [on Tuesday] he told us we were not good enough. We should hear it because we were not."
Ibrahimovic has become accustomed to winning league titles in a successful career with Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG, but United are a mammoth 21 points behind league-leaders Chelsea, although they lifted the League Cup in February.While the 35-year-old has hinted at extending the one-year deal he signed at Old Trafford in 2016, he added that he struggles with the club's lowly position.
"Even top four is a disappointment, because the last time I didn't win a title was 2012 when Milan came second. The last time before that was at Ajax in 2003. I am not used to being where I am now," he said.
"So this is something new for me, a situation I learn from. I don't accept we are sixth, but I accept that I am here and I have to work through it. That's the way it is."
Neymar set to miss Real Madrid match over red card reaction
Neymar is at risk of being ruled out of Barcelona's upcoming clash with Real Madrid due to his reaction to being sent off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Malaga.The Brazilian forward, 24, was handed a second yellow card in the 65th minute for a reckless challenge on Diego Llorente.
Barcelona were already trailing at that point following Sandro Ramirez's opener, and the game was ended when Jhony netted in the dying seconds past Marc Andre ter Stegen to double the advantage.
At first there were suspicions that Neymar had received a straight red card, which would rule him out of April 23's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.However, referee Gil Manzano's report revealed he had been given a second yellow, following one from an original booking for obstructing a free kick by tying his laces.
The reason Neymar remains in hot water is due to his ironic clapping towards the fourth official following the red card, which could rule him out of Barca's matches against Real Sociedad and Real Madrid."After being sent off and on his way to the dressing room tunnel he turned clapping towards the fourth official," the report explains, after detailing the reasons for his two bookings.
And while a second yellow offence would lead to a one-match suspension, clearing him for the Clasico, he could miss the showpiece if La Liga's disciplinary committee further sanctions him for his reaction.Barcelona are three points adrift of Zinedine Zidane's men having played a game more than their eternal rivals.
Luis Enrique's side next visit Turin on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Juventus.
Neymar is at risk of being ruled out of Barcelona's upcoming clash with Real Madrid due to his reaction to being sent off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Malaga.The Brazilian forward, 24, was handed a second yellow card in the 65th minute for a reckless challenge on Diego Llorente.
Barcelona were already trailing at that point following Sandro Ramirez's opener, and the game was ended when Jhony netted in the dying seconds past Marc Andre ter Stegen to double the advantage.
At first there were suspicions that Neymar had received a straight red card, which would rule him out of April 23's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.However, referee Gil Manzano's report revealed he had been given a second yellow, following one from an original booking for obstructing a free kick by tying his laces.
The reason Neymar remains in hot water is due to his ironic clapping towards the fourth official following the red card, which could rule him out of Barca's matches against Real Sociedad and Real Madrid."After being sent off and on his way to the dressing room tunnel he turned clapping towards the fourth official," the report explains, after detailing the reasons for his two bookings.
And while a second yellow offence would lead to a one-match suspension, clearing him for the Clasico, he could miss the showpiece if La Liga's disciplinary committee further sanctions him for his reaction.Barcelona are three points adrift of Zinedine Zidane's men having played a game more than their eternal rivals.
Luis Enrique's side next visit Turin on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Juventus.
Like Neymar, could Cristiano Ronaldo miss the Clasico?
Neymar has seen his place in the Clasico come under threat with a red card against Malaga - but could Cristiano Ronaldo also miss out on the clash? While the Brazilian awaits to find out whether his dissent at the end of Barcelona's 2-0 defeat could cost him dearly, the Real Madrid star is also walking a tightrope.
With just one game to go before the game which could decide the fate of this season's Liga title, he sits uncomfortably on four yellow cards.
A booking against Sporting would earn Ronaldo an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of contention. Dani Carvajal took extreme measures on Saturday to ensure his own participation.
The right-back picked up his fifth booking with a cynical foul during the 1-1 draw against Atletico, missing the game against the relegation strugglers in order to return against Barca.But Ronaldo had no such intention of earning a caution, and thus must run the gauntlet - unless Zinedine Zidane decides to protect his star by keeping him off the pitch until the grudge match looms.
With Real Madrid three points clear of their rivals with a game in hand, resting his star goalscorer is a risk that the Frenchman could well be willing to take.
Neymar has seen his place in the Clasico come under threat with a red card against Malaga - but could Cristiano Ronaldo also miss out on the clash? While the Brazilian awaits to find out whether his dissent at the end of Barcelona's 2-0 defeat could cost him dearly, the Real Madrid star is also walking a tightrope.
With just one game to go before the game which could decide the fate of this season's Liga title, he sits uncomfortably on four yellow cards.
A booking against Sporting would earn Ronaldo an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of contention. Dani Carvajal took extreme measures on Saturday to ensure his own participation.
The right-back picked up his fifth booking with a cynical foul during the 1-1 draw against Atletico, missing the game against the relegation strugglers in order to return against Barca.But Ronaldo had no such intention of earning a caution, and thus must run the gauntlet - unless Zinedine Zidane decides to protect his star by keeping him off the pitch until the grudge match looms.
With Real Madrid three points clear of their rivals with a game in hand, resting his star goalscorer is a risk that the Frenchman could well be willing to take.
Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.04.09
Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.04.09
Sunderland Vs Manchester United
Everton Vs Leicester City
