Getafe (Spain) (AFP)
Real Madrid, leaders of the Spanish Championship, and Barça lost for the first time this season (1-0) on Saturday against Cadiz and Getafe, leaving Luis Suarez's Atlético Madrid the only team still unbeaten.
Before the start of the Champions League and one week before the first clasico of the year at Camp Nou, the two Spanish greats lost similar matches, against two teams within their reach.
Author of his 150th goal in La Liga on the ground of Celta Vigo, Suarez on the contrary gave victory to Atlético (6th, 8 pts), now two lengths behind Real with one game less.
- "No excuse" for Real -
His team led 1-0, Zinédine Zidane tried to change everything at half-time, with four substitutions at once, but nothing worked: Real were powerless against the Andalusians on this 6th day of the championship - the 5th game for Real (1st, 10 pts, one game less).
"There is no explanation. If they score two or three goals in the first half, we could not have complained. There are no excuses," said lucidly. French coach after the meeting.
Nothing can be remembered from this day for the defending champion, who saw his captain Sergio Ramos come out with an injury at the break, before sitting on the bench with an ice pack in his left knee.
What to put a question mark on his presence Wednesday for the reception of Shakhtar Donetsk, first day of the Champions League.
On the other hand, it is a historic day for Cadiz, which marks the very first victory in its history for Real in La Liga.
Thanks to these three points, the Andalusian club (3rd) shares the head of the championship with Real, just like Getafe (2nd) and Granada (4th).
- Suarez, 150th goal in La Liga -
Earlier, Atlético Madrid won 2-0 on Celta Vigo's lawn thanks in particular to a goal by flagship rookie Luis Suarez, his 150th in 195 La Liga appearances.
Associated for the first time with Diego Costa on the front of the attack, the Uruguayan scored his third goal of the season in his new "Colchoneros" jersey with a left-footed shot (6th).
"I liked the mix of the two" forwards, said Diego Simeone, whose 200th league victory as Atlético coach it was.
"Their characteristics mean that they can play together. They give us strength, presence and personality on the surface."
Injured in a leg at the start of the second half, Diego Costa was however forced to leave his new friend in the attack prematurely.
It is highly likely that the Spanish-Brazilian striker (32) will miss the trip to Munich on Wednesday for the Champions League opener against Bayern.
In stoppage time, the Belgian Yannick Carrasco, with a header, weighed down the mark and thus scored his first goal of the season.
Diego Simeone's side, who remained in two consecutive tasteless draws (0-0), are unbeaten after an inaugural 6-1 victory over Granada.
- Griezmann spoils -
Real's woes could have done Barca's business, but Lionel Messi and his people were devoid of ideas in Getafe.
The club from the suburbs of Madrid has mastered the match and scored by Jaime Mata, on penalty (56th).
The French striker Antoine Griezmann, with a face-to-face spoiled at the half-hour mark, or Lionel Messi at the very end of the match, could have changed the course of the match.
But the bill could also have been higher for Ronald Koeman's side, with several missed opportunities by Getafe.
Earlier on Saturday, Sevilla lost to Granada (1-0).
Outnumbered throughout the second period, Julen Lopetegui's team, who will go to Chelsea in C1 on Tuesday, held on until the 82nd minute and a header from Yangel Herrera.
© 2020 AFP