On a perfect night, crowned by the return of Gavi after almost a year out injured, leaders Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday in the tenth round, and moved three points ahead of Real Madrid (2nd) before the Clasico on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barça returned from the international break with a boost of confidence ahead of a crucial week when they host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday and visit the Bernabeu three days later.
Behind the two giants of Spanish football is Atletico (3rd), seven behind the leader after winning 3-1 this Sunday against Leganes.
Also Read: Messi Scores Hat Trick as Inter Miami Breaks MLS Points Record
In the last match of the day, Barcelona responded to Real Madrid – who had beaten Celta 2-1 – by beating Sevilla without any difficulty, with three goals before the 40th minute.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice (23 from the penalty spot and 39) to reach 12 goals in La Liga, in which he is the top scorer. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick took him off in the second half to reserve the veteran and fine-tuned Polish striker.
In the middle, Pedri (28) scored after a counterattack that he himself started, finishing with a great shot from outside the area after Lamine Yamal gave him the ball.
The goals of Pablo Torre (82 and 89), accurate after coming off the bench, and the magical moment of the night, the return of Gavi, were left for the final stretch.
Applauded and cheered when he came on to warm up midway through the second half, the 20-year-old Spanish international returned to play after being out for almost a year due to a serious injury to his right knee.
Pedri handed him the captain’s armband and one of the idols of the Barca fans enjoyed almost a quarter of an hour.
“I am very happy to be back with the team. I have been dreaming about this moment for many months and I am grateful to everyone because they have made it much easier for me,” said Gavi.
“Gavi deserves this moment. He is a hard worker and a nice guy. You can see that the fans love him a lot,” added Pedri.
Sevilla’s consolation goal was scored by a quick Idumbo in a counterattack (87).
Trailing on the scoreboard after the hour mark, Atletico ended up coming back against Leganes with a goal from Frenchman Antoine Griezmann and a double from Norwegian Alexander Sorloth.
In a Metropolitano stadium with one of its ends empty in compliance with the sanction for the incidents – throwing objects – that caused the match against Real Madrid to be interrupted, Cameroonian Yvan Neyou put the ‘pepinero’ team ahead in the 34th minute with an unstoppable right-footed shot from inside the area.
But Sorloth, with a backheel shot from the six-yard box (69), and Griezmann, with a pass from the right by Giuliano Simeone (81), came back for the home team.
Already in the final throes of the match, the lanky Norwegian striker, who arrived in pre-season from Villarreal, secured three points that give ‘Cholo’ Simeone’s men peace of mind before hosting Lille in the Champions League.
“Overall I’m leaving with satisfaction after a scenario that was somewhat complex. The team was able to play a great second half, continue in the same vein, and adjust what we needed to adjust in the first half,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.
Villarreal (4th) is two points behind Atletico, having drawn 1-1 at home against Getafe on Sunday.
