Copa Del Ray: Athletic Club knocks Barcelona out to reach semis
It was another disappointment for Barcelona, as the club was expecting to go to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the second straight season.
It was another disappointment for Barcelona, as the club was expecting to go to the Copa del Rey semifinals for the second straight season.
FC Barcelona opened a 15-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday night with a 4-0 win away to Elche.
Former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski then had a great chance to break the deadlock, but the unmarked Pole pulled over the target with 18 minutes gone.
Vinicius Jr. attempted to lead Madrid without Benzema, but Mallorca remained steadfast until the Brazilian scored with a left-foot shot in the 72nd minute
Silva stepped up but couldn't beat goalkeeper Juan Musso, who blocked the penalty and Willi Orban's rebound from very close range in quick succession with 56 minutes gone.
Barcelona coach Quique Setien is not stressing much on the poor performance and has instead placed confidence on his players to do the job in the second leg.
A second-half goal from Antoine Griezmann helped Barcelona in securing a draw against Napoli in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match.
Messi ridiculed talk of a goal drought by scoring four goals against Eibar after four games without one.
The Blaugrana fought tooth and nail in the match against Getafe at Camp Nou. However, first-half goals from Griezmann (33rd minute) and Sergi Roberto (39th minute) saw them finishing with the favourable results.
Barcelona turned the tide, with a chaotic performance that might have been punished by better opponents, but that keeps them three points behind Real Madrid.