Good for FC Barcelona: Real Madrid cannot become league leaders on their own for the time being. The Catalans’ arch-rivals draw 1-2 against Athletic Club.
FC Barcelona four points ahead of Real Madrid
FC Barcelona is surviving its weak phase in LaLiga with three winless games in a row without any major damage for the time being. This would have been: the loss of first place. Due to an outstanding away game against FC Valencia, Real Madrid had the opportunity to become top of the table on their own. However, that is no longer the case now.
After the Catalans had fulfilled their task on the early 19th matchday against RCD Mallorca with a resounding 5-1, Los Blancos suffered a 1-2 defeat against Athletic Club in Bilbao on Wednesday.
Álex Berenguer put the hosts in front in the early stages of the second half (53′), whereupon Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty for the guests, and Jude Bellingham was able to equalize (78′) – but it didn’t last long. Gorka Guruzeta immediately regained the lead for the Basques (80th).
The new status in the table: Barça has 37 points, Real has 33. Things continue for both on Saturday: The Blaugrana take on Betis away (4:15 p.m.), and a few hours later the white ballet visits FC Girona. Even after that, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will have played one less game. The catch-up game against Valencia is expected to take place on January 2nd.
Senegal
