Barcelona, Atlético secure wins to stay in Liga Top 5

BARCELONA, Jan 3: Barcelona traveled to Mallorca with 10 players from its “B” team after a spate of COVID-19 cases. Coach Xavi Hernández had to align a front line with De Jong flanked by youth players Ferran Jutglà and Ilias Akhomach.
De Jong, who had failed to earn consistent playing time, succeeded in providing a potent attacking threat for the visitors.
The Dutch striker tapped the ball onto the post moments before he produced a superb bicycle kick that rattled the crossbar. He then headed in his goal when he reached a cross by Óscar Mingueza at the far post just before halftime.
Barcelona still needed a stoppage-time save by Marc-Andre ter Stegen to rise to fifth place, one point from the Champions League spots.
Ángel Correa scored twice as Atlético Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0 and end its worst losing run since Diego Simeone took over the club a decade ago.
The defending champions had not lost more than two league games in a row under Simeone. But it finished 2021 with consecutive defeats to Mallorca, Madrid, Sevilla and Granada.
Atlético leapfrogged Rayo to reclaim fourth place.
In other matches, Iago Aspas scored twice to lead Celta Vigo to a 2-0 win at Real Betis, which was left in third place just one point in front of Atlético.
Elche coach Francisco Rodríguez was sent off for repeatedly protesting during his team’s 0-0 draw with Granada, while Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at Alavés. (AP)

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