Rival watch: Madrid clubs keep up the pressure

[[DES_1]]Barça routed Celta 6-1 on Sunday night, but there was no change at the top of the league table after the two Madrid clubs also chalked up wins this weekend.

Atlético Madrid stay second with 54 points, three less Barça who have a game in hand, after winning 1-0 at local rivals Getafe on Sunday. Fernando Torres opened the scoring in the first minute with his 101st goal for the club, and that was how things stayed until the end.

A day earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo had put Real Madrid into an early lead against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu. Although Eraso equalised for the Basques shortly after, James, Kroos and Ronaldo for a second time eventually had Madrid leading 4-1 before Elustondo grabbed a last minute consolation goal for the visitors. The result leaves Real Madrid third with 53 points.

Barça will finally play their game in hand at Sporting Gijón on Wednesday at 6.30pm CET. The Asturians have had two more days than Barça to prepare for that match after hosting Rayo Vallecano on Friday night. They twice went ahead through Guerrero in the first half and FCB loanee Halilovic in the second, but both goals were cancelled out and it all ended 2-2.

“Barcelona is my team, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to fight to keep the three points in Gijón on Wednesday, and why not?” said the Croat after the game.

Barça’s Copa del Rey Final opponents Sevilla remain fifth, but eight points adrift of a Champions League berth after beating Las Palmas with second half goals from Banega and Gameiro.

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