A makeshift Barcelona team fell to a 2-0 loss at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, meaning Real Madrid had the chance to win the title yesterday if results went their way.
With one eye on tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester United, coach Frank Rijkaard rested several key players — such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi — and the second string were second best against a motivated Depor team.
Wrestling second spot from Villarreal, a point ahead with a game in hand, is one challenge for Barca, but top priority is now the Champions League.
PHOTO: AP
The second string team saw Spaniard Jose Pinto, virtually unknown to Barca supporters, start in goal, but there was still some quality on show with three World Cup winners in Thierry Henry, Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram.
Eidur Gudjohnsen, a fringe player hoping to impress, should have scored on 12 minutes but lifted an effort over the crossbar.
Barca dominated possession, but Depor went close to breaking the deadlock on the half hour mark when Xisco hit the crossbar.
Bojan Krkic then spurned a great chance delaying his shot too long.
The misses proved costly as Juan Rodriguez side-footed home at the beginning of the second half after some woeful Barca marking.
Pablo Amo added a second as Depor, who have been fighting relegation for most of the season, moved to within two points of the final UEFA Cup spot.
Sevilla now have Depor breathing down their necks, but they are more concerned about missing out on the Champions League following a 0-0 draw against Real Murcia on Saturday.
Sevilla are two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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