|
Barcelona pair sent off in defeat at Osasuna
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-13 09:03
MADRID, March 12 (Reuters) - Primera Liga leaders Barcelona had two players
sent off during a 2-1 defeat at fourth-placed Osasuna on Sunday.
The visitors went 1-0 down when Valdo cashed in on a goalkeeping error and
Osasuna captain Patxi Punal added a second from the penalty spot after Edmilson
was sent off for bringing down Savo Milosevic.
Substitute Henrik Larsson pulled a goal back 18 minutes from time but could
not prevent Barcelona suffering their fourth league defeat of the season.
Thiago Motta was also dismissed in injury time for a foul on substitute
Pierre Webo.
Champions Barcelona remain nine points clear of Valencia and Real Madrid, who
drew 0-0 at the Mestalla on Saturday after Ronaldo missed a last-minute penalty
for the visitors.
Barcelona have 61 points with 11 games left.
Osasuna are on 49, four clear of Celta Vigo who lost 2-0 at Espanyol on
Saturday.
Relegation-threatened Alaves put the brakes on Sevilla's drive for a
Champions League berth despite having two players sent off in the closing stages
of their 2-1 home win over the Andalucians.
The defeat left Sevilla five points adrift of Osasuna and one ahead of
Villarreal, who were held 1-1 at Real Mallorca.
HIGH-TEMPO START
Osasuna threw down the gauntlet at the Reyno de Navarra stadium with a
high-tempo start and never let Barcelona settle on the ball as they pressed in
every area of the pitch.
Former Real Madrid player Valdo pounced on a blunder by Victor Valdes,
hooking the ball into an open goal after the keeper dropped a 19th-minute cross.
Osasuna kept up the pressure in the second half and extended their lead
through Punal on 59 minutes.
|
