Vinicius Jr., with two goals that revived his team when they were at their worst, guided Real Madrid to a victory over Atlético (3-2) that keeps them in the race for the league, as an unrelenting pursuer of a Barcelona that saved the 29th matchday with a dull win over Rayo, enough to reach the FIFA break with a four-point lead.
With nine matchdays to go, Hansi Flick's side depends on itself to retain its success in LaLiga, but it still has to visit Atlético on April 4th and host Real Madrid on May 10th in a match that could decide the championship.
Real Madrid survives the derby
In a full of changes derby, which was Atlético's at the end of the first half thanks to a goal from Ademola Lookman, and which Madrid took over after the break, Álvaro Arbeloa's side once again showed its undeniable ability to survive.
A penalty executed by Vinicius and a goal from Fede Valverde, in three minutes at the start of the second half, seemed to tip the balance of the match in their favor, even after Nahuel Molina became the unexpected red-and-white hero with a great goal from outside the area (min. 66), because Vini again gave them the lead six minutes later.
However, Valverde's expulsion for a tackle from behind on Alex Baena, left them to suffer for twenty minutes, including a shot against the post from Julián Álvarez, which silenced a Santiago Bernabéu that erupted with joy for a win that not only prevents a near-decisive lead for Barcelona, but also re-arms them morally for the decisive stage of the tournament.
Joan García reinforces De la Fuente
"The rules are there to change them, it was the right moment to call up the four goalkeepers." That's how Luis de la Fuente justified the call-up of Joan García along with his three usual goalkeepers for the Spanish national team, and the Barcelona goalkeeper gave him the reason two days later. Against Rayo, the keeper was decisive again, reinforcing the theory of a coach who knows that his absence was an anomaly, even though he is satisfied with the usual trio.
Barcelona, who after the headed goal from Ronald Araujo (min. 34) took the match as a formality that their offensive power would eventually resolve, found itself at the mercy of the keeper's skill, who signed a dozen meritorious performances.
Athletic begins to honor Valverde
The countdown for Ernesto Valverde began and his team did not want the first of his last ten games in charge of Athletic to be a stumble, after having only taken one point in three matchdays. On the contrary, against Betis, a solvent Athletic returned to San Mamés, which in the first half achieved a comfortable lead with the goals from Dani Vivian and Oihan Sancet. "It has been an act of faith and kindness from the players," he explained afterwards.
Vinicius keeps Madrid afloat before the break
