Madrid rivals profit from Barcelona slip-up
Saturday, April 9, 2016
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Barcelona suffered a shock defeat at Real Sociedad to give their title rivals hope, with Wolfsburg the only other quarter-finalists who did not take three points on Saturday.
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TUESDAY'S SECOND LEGS
Manchester City 2-1 West Brom (Agüero 19, Nasri 66; Sessegnon 6)
Making his first start since September, following a long struggle with a thigh injury, Samir Nasri scored City's winner on a rainy evening in Manchester, finishing into an empty net after Sergio Agüero's shot was blocked. The UEFA Champions League contenders had gone behind to a sweet Stéphane Sessegnon effort, but the goalscorer then gave away the penalty from which Agüero equalised – the Argentinian's 18th league goal of the season.
Guingamp 0-2 Paris (Lucas 56p 71)
Laurent Blanc rested the majority of his first-team players, but still came away with three points. Lucas converted from the penalty spot on 56 minutes after a foul on Christopher Nkunku, and scored a second from Layvin Kurzawa's pass. Of more concern, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was taken off at the break with an injury, Salvatore Sirigu brought on to replace him.
Real Madrid 4-0 Eibar (James Rodríguez 5, Lucas Vázquez 18, Ronaldo 19, Jesé 39)
Real Madrid rallied following their midweek loss earning a sixth successive Liga win. James Rodríguez converted direct from a fifth-minute free-kick, and Cristiano Ronaldo set up Lucas Vázquez for the second, before scoring one of his own a minute later – his 30th in the Liga this season. Ronaldo was the provider for Madrid's fourth too, Lucas wrong-footing the defence to invite Jesé Rodríguez to meet the Portugal striker's pass at the far post.
Wolfsburg 1-1 Mainz (Schürrle 53; Samperio 66)
Wolfsburg are without a win in four Bundesliga games after following up their 2-0 UEFA Champions League success against Real Madrid with a 1-1 draw against Mainz. The better side in the first half, the Wolves took the lead after the break, André Schürrle chipping the goalkeeper following good work from Bruno Henrique, but a Jairo Samperio equaliser – and Dante's late dismissal – ensured another day of Bundesliga frustration.
WEDNESDAY'S SECOND LEGS
Académica 1-2 Benfica (Nuno 17; Mitroglou 39, Jiménez 85)
Raúl Jiménez’s 85th-minute strike kept the Eagles on course for their 35th Portuguese title, the Mexican controlling with his chest and swivelling to finish as Benfica came from behind to beat Académica in Coimbra. Nuno had put the home side in front 17 minutes in, but Kostas Mitroglou replied before the break, getting a head to Pizzi’s cross for his 19th Liga goal of the campaign.
Stuttgart 1-3 Bayern (Didavi 63; Niedermeier 31og, Alaba 52, Douglas Costa 89)
Georg Niedermaier was the fall guy for the home side, deflecting in a shot from the impressive Franck Ribéry in the first half, and Bayern doubled their advantage after the break, David Alaba lifting the ball over a defender before driving in his first goal since November. Stuttgart replied, and then Thiago Alcántara hit the bar, but Bayern battled on, with Douglas Costa scoring his first goal of 2016 – a powerful, curling effort.
Espanyol 1-3 Atlético (Diop 29; Torres 35, Griezmann 58, Koke 89)
Atlético's second visit to Barcelona this week ended in a more positive fashion. Fernando Torres replied after his side conceded a 29th-minute Pape Diop goal, chesting down Koke's pass before finishing low for his third in as many games. The visitors then completed a turnaround when Antoine Griezmann fired in off the post on 58 minutes. At the death, Torres combined with Koke for the midfielder to head Atlético's third.
Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona (Mikel Oyarzabal 5)
The Estadio de Anoeta proved once more to be a bogey venue for Barcelona, who have not beaten Real Sociedad at their San Sebastian home since 2007. Mikel Oyarzabal, 18, headed over Claudio Bravo after just five minutes to put the mid-table hosts in front. Barcelona lacked some sharpness, with Munir El Haddadi standing in for the suspended Luis Suárez, though Gerónimo Rulli made some great saves to preserve his side’s lead.