Real Madrid’s record nine straight wins to kick off the
1968-69 campaign stands after bitter rivals Barcelona settle for draw and
Atletico are beaten.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid dropped their first points
of the season on Saturday, missing the chance to equal the record for the
best-ever La Liga start.
Champions Barca, who visit AC Milan in the Champions
League on Tuesday, were held 0-0 at Osasuna. It was the first time they failed
to score in a domestic league game in 65 matches since a 0-0 draw at Villarreal
in January 2012.
Atletico also lost 1-0 at Espanyol as Real Madrid’s
record nine straight wins to kick off the 1968-69 campaign remained intact.
Third-placed Real won 2-0 at home to Malaga, Carlo
Ancelotti’s side closing within three points of leaders Barca ahead of next
week’s Clasico at the Nou Camp and two points shy of Atletico.
Real won thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria and a
stoppage-time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, won by world record signing Gareth
Bale, who was a late substitute.
Barca were unable to breach a well-drilled Osasuna
defence in Pamplona and Atletico were thwarted by an Espanyol side who have
made a strong start to the season under Mexican coach Javier Aguirre.
The only goal of the game at Espanyol’s Cornella-El Prat
stadium in Barcelona came in the 54th minute when the ball deflected into the
net off the outstretched leg of Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Argentine Lionel Messi, who had not played since the end
of last month due to a thigh strain, came off the bench for the final 25
minutes of Barca’s game but not even the World Player of the Year could conjure
a goal for the champions.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” said captain Carles
Puyol after making his first appearance in almost eight months following knee
surgery. “It’s always difficult playing at this stadium. We were missing some
effectiveness in the final pass but it’s one more point. Now we have to recover
from this and prepare well for Tuesday.”
Real warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League game
against Juventus with a victory. It was hardly the sparkling display coach
Ancelotti wanted to dispel doubts after some unconvincing performances this
term but the Italian was happy about a general improvement from his expensive
squad.
“Today I am pleased,” Ancelotti said. ”Everyone was
focused on defending, we pressed well and recovered possession quickly. That
was the difference compared to other matches - we did not give them chances and
were well positioned.
“We have to keep it going and do things better but today
the team performed well. We started the week on a positive note.”
Culled from South China morning
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