Barcelona cut the gap on LaLiga’s top two with an entertaining 4-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday, despite playing out the final half-hour with 10 men after Fermin Lopez’s red card.
Robert Lewandowski, Lopez, Raphinha, and Eric Garcia struck for Barcelona, who were able to capitalise on leaders Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with second-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
The Catalans climbed within two points of Los Blancos and moved one behind Atletico to crank up the tension in the title race.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said: “I really appreciate our performance. We did well in the first half and in the second half we fought for these three points.
“We pressed high, the intensity was really good from us and in the end it was a good lesson to play in a 4-4-1 and defend like that.”
Lewandowski’s early strike was cancelled out by Sevilla’s Ruben Vargas, with Lopez and Raphinha pouncing early in the second half.
Lopez was sent off for a high tackle but Barcelona held out and extended their lead when Garcia nodded home late on.
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Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez said: “Today (Sunday) we had to win to stay in the title race and now we’re putting the pressure on.
“I think the team played a brilliant match and this is the way forward. If we stay secure and solid at the back, up front we all know what our forwards are capable of.”
Earlier, Valencia earned an important 2-0 win over Leganes to give Los Che hope in their bid to avoid relegation.
Mouctar Diakhaby scored Valencia’s second goal, his first after returning from a severe knee injury in January, nearly a year since he last played.
Diakhaby said: “After everything I’ve been through, it was very special.
“I thought about the moment of the injury, how hard I’ve worked and my family who were very affected by it.”
Valencia climbed to 18th, with Alaves dropping to 19th after a 1-0 defeat at home against Getafe.
Espanyol, 16th, were left only one point above the drop zone after a 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad.
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