For the two biggest clubs in Spain, it was a week to forget. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid suffered back-to-back defeats, by losing their games in both the Champions League and La Liga. Atlético Madrid, on the other hand, achieved the opposite, winning their games in both competitions.
Karim Benzema’s 71st minute strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation on Sunday, as Real failed to claw back from Espanyol’s lead, courtesy of goals from de Raúl de Tomás in the first half and Aleix Vidal on the hour mark.
Last week, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were held to a draw by Villareal, meaning they are now three games on the trot without a win.
They remain top of the table, but only on goal difference, joint on 17 points with Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad whilst Sevilla sit in fourth, just three points adrift the top, but with a game in hand.
Sunday’s result may well have been a bad one for Real, but it was Tuesday’s game that was exceptionally humiliating, with the Spanish giants losing at home to Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Champions League by the same scoreline.
Benzema’s 65th minute penalty cancelled out Sheriff’s early lead, but the Moldovans bagged the winner in the 89th minute with a wonderful strike from Sebastien Thill.
It is the reigning champions who finished the week in high spirits by beating Barcelona 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitana on Saturday. Thomas Lemar scored the opener whilst Luis Suarez slotted home against the club that let him go just over a year ago, a move that looks more regrettable by the day.
To make matters worse, the Catalans were thumped 3-0 by Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The loss puts them bottom of their group with 0 points from 2 games, making this season’s start to Champions League their worst ever.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid pinched an away win at AC Milan as Luis Suarez converted from the spot in the 7th minute of stoppage time, to make it 2-1 to the red and whites.
La Liga results
Sunday 3 October
Elche 1 Celta Vigo 0
Espanyol 2 Real Madrid 1
Getafe 1 Real Sociedad 1
Villarreal 2 Real Betis 0
Granada 1 Sevilla 0
Saturday 2 October
Osasuna 1 Rayo Vallecano 0
Mallorca 1 Levante 0
Cádiz 0 Valencia 0
Atlético Madrid 2 Barcelona 0
Friday 1 October
Athletic Bilbao 1 Alaves 0
UEFA Champions League results
Wednesday 29 September
Benfica 3 Barcelona 0
Manchester United 2 Villareal 1
Wolfsburg 1 Sevilla 1
Tuesday 28 September
AC Milan 1 Atlético Madrid 2
Real Madrid 1 Sheriff Tiraspol 2
Europa League results
Thursday 30 September
Real Sociedad 1 Monaco 1
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