La Liga 22-23 MD 13 Highlights
Real Madrid defeated as Barcelona topped La Liga 22-23 standings after MD 13.
LaLiga 22-23 MD13 has so many things to discuss, as Real Madrid lost the top spot to Barcelona.
Here are things you should read per La Liga 22-23 MD13.
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Barcelona 2-0 Almeria: 3 points to say goodbye to Barca’s #3
Barcelona beat Almeria two goals to nill as Gerald Pique bid farewell to the Spotify Camp Nou.
Read more: Gerard Pique retires in a shock announcement
Dembele and De Jong got the goals as Pique prepared for retirement, but, let’s talk about the game first.
It was an comfortable win for the home side, however, they failed to score in the first half despite having as many as 16 shots.
Robert Lewandowski, who had 13 goals after 13 games, missed the penalty which could put him on 14 goals.
Ferran Torres had his chances but missed the total of six to score.
Almeria rarely threatened but almost benefited from De Jong’s stray pass; thanks to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the deadlock stood still.
Dembele was the who found the breakthrough at the start of the second half with a solo goal. Following the Frenchman’s goal, De Jong doubled Barca’s lead, firing home after Ansu Fati’s shot stopped.
2-0 was the final score, as Pique was subbed at the 83th minute, so that the home fans could give him the standing ovation that he was truly deserved.
It was the Spanish’s 616th appearance for the club, as he won 30 trophies and became one of the most decorated players of the Catalan club.
And what was sweeter? It’s Real Madrid’s defeat that put Barcelona on top of the standings.
Rayo Vallecano 3-2 Real Madrid: The taste of first defeat for the Champions
Real Madrid got the taste of first defeat this season, as they got beaten by Rayo Vallecano 3-2, in the latest game of MD13.
It was surprising for any Los Blancos fan, because it had been expected to be an easy three-point game for the reigning champions.
The Whites, however, were outplayed across the pitch by the home side.
Isi Palazon and Sergio Camello took turn to put pressure on Dani Carvajal’s space, while Fran Garcia and Santi Comesana attacked on the left flank.
Those latter two were in charge of the first goal as Comesana met Garcia’s cross at the penalty spot and finished it nicely with his left foot.
Los Franjirrojos continued to press to increase their lead, in stead of holding the ground. But then Real Madrid equalized goal came when Luka Modric converted a penalty after Marco Asensio was fouled, though raised some debates about that. Home side found themselves behind not long after, as Eder Militao headed far off from the corner to beat Rayo’s keeper Stole Dimitrievski.
Just minutes later, it was Alvaro Garcia who leveled the score with a thunderous shot from the left side of Madrid’s goal.
Ultimately, with just over 20 minutes left and minus their coach – Andoni Iraola was shown a red card on the bench – Rayo put in a defensively disciplined shift to close out the game. On top of that, they were then rewarded when an isolated Dani Carvajal clearly handled the ball in the area when faced with Isi Palazon.
Oscar Trejo would be the man tasked with the resulting penalty and curiously, actually had to take it twice after the referee penalized Courtois for moving too early.
Rayo’s man did not miss this time, and ended the game 3-2 in his side’s favor.
There it went, Real Madrid handed Barcelona the top spot after the defeat in Vallecas. Catalunya side has their fate in their own hands and are two points ahead of Real Madrid.
If Barca win against Osasuna, they will go into the break as leaders, regardless the result of Real Madrid’s match against Cadiz.
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TOM is a dedicated soccer writer whose words come alive on the page, mirroring the electric energy of the pitch. With a keen eye for detail and an unbridled love for the sport
