SPANISH LA LIGA:REAL MADRID'S bid to end Barcelona's two-year reign as La Liga champions suffered a huge setback on Saturday when they slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Sporting Gijon and Barcelona won 1-0 at Villarreal.
Real’s failure at a stunned Bernabeu, three days before they host Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, spoiled their perfect home record of 14 wins in 14 this season and ended Jose Mourinho’s own nine-year unbeaten run in home league games.
Barcelona then rubbed salt in their great rival’s wounds in the late kick-off when Gerard Pique struck to earn three points at Villarreal and stretch their lead to eight points with eight matches left.
The Spain defender controlled a Sergio Busquets flick from a Daniel Alves corner on his chest in the 67th minute at the Madrigal and lashed the ball into the net from close range, sparking wild celebrations on the Barcelona bench.
“Mathematics say the league is not lost but objectively speaking if the gap goes from five to eight points we can say that it’s almost impossible,” Mourinho said. “Luck is part of football and our opponent (Gijon) had it all and we had none.”
Barcelona have 81 points from 30 games with Real on 73. Valencia climbed above Villarreal into third after Roberto Soldado struck four times against his former club Getafe in a 4-2 win.
Manu Del Moral put Madrid-based Getafe ahead in the 13th minute before Soldado, who joined Valencia at the end of last season as a replacement for the Barca-bound David Villa, scored four fine goals after half-time. Adrian Sardinero netted a consolation in the 88th.
Real’s joint La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, in-form striker Karim Benzema and fullback Marcelo all missed the game against Gijon through injury, while midfielder Xabi Alonso was suspended, and Mourinho’s side initially struggled to create chances against their obstinate visitors.
Gijon’s win was a personal triumph for their charismatic coach Manuel Preciado, who rowed with Mourinho when the teams met in November.
Real Madrid may risk Ronaldo in tomorrow night’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
The world’s most expensive player has a leg muscle strain that he is struggling to shake off. But Mourinho suggested on Friday his Portuguese compatriot would not be available until Real’s game at Athletic Bilbao next weekend but then appeared to alter his stance.
“If Cristiano plays it will be because he and I are taking a risk,” Mourinho said on Saturday. “The doctor said he would only be ready for Bilbao. Tomorrow I will talk to the injured players and decide if we will take a risk.”
Striker Benzema will not return until the Bilbao match and fullback Marcelo is sidelined for two weeks, Mourinho added.
