Most Asian currencies slipped, with the Indonesian rupiah down nearly 0.2% and leading losses
asia2 hours ago
Real Madrid keep pressure on Catalans with win over Celta
Madrid — Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has stressed his side won’t take their eye off the ball despite having a comfortable run-in to the end of the La Liga season as they chase a fifth title in seven years.
A 2-0 win over local rivals Espanyol on Saturday ensured Barca maintained a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table with just five games remaining.
However, whilst Real have to face Champions League-chasing Sevilla and Valencia in the coming weeks, four of Barca’s last five games come against sides in the bottom half of the table, starting with the visit of Getafe on Tuesday.
“Whether the run-in is easier or not is in theory, but you need to show that on the field,” said Enrique. “Who would have thought we would take one point from two games against Malaga? We will continue to approach all the games until the end of the season in the same way.
“I don’t see why the players are going to change now. I am not worried that they will get complacent, the professionals are the ones most aware of how difficult it is to beat any opponent.” Goals from Neymar and Lionel Messi at the weekend took Barca’s star front trio of the Brazilian, Argentine and Luis Suarez to within three of a century of goals for the season.
And they could easily reach the 100 mark against a Getafe side that has picked up just one point in three games since putting a healthy distance between themselves and the relegation zone. Thomas Vermaelen could even make his Barca debut nine months after signing from Arsenal as he was given the medical all-clear from a hamstring injury for the first time this season on Sunday.
The Belgian’s return means Enrique has a fully-fit squad to choose from and is likely to make a number of changes with one eye already on next week’s Champions League semi-final against Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich. Madrid kept the pressure on Barca as they came from behind to win 4-2 at Celta Vigo on Sunday in a hugely entertaining game.
Javier Hernandez scored twice and Celta forward Manuel “Nolito” Agudo scored in the ninth minute to start a five-goal flurry in the first half. Goals from Toni Kroos and Hernandez put Madrid ahead, Celta’s Santi Mina equalized for 2-2 and James Rodriguez restored Madrid’s advantage in the 44th.
With Celta pressing forward after the restart, Hernandez used a superb touch to control Sergio Ramos’ pass before netting in the 69th to secure victory.
Los Blancos would win the title should they win all five remaining games and Barca drop any points thanks to their better head-to-head record with the league leaders. “At the moment we are not thinking about other teams, but about what we have to do,” said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. “If we win all five games we force Barca to win all of their games, so that is the objective for us.”
Ancelotti will have to do without the suspended Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal for the visit of relegation-threatened Almeria to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. The Italian will also be without Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in attack through injury, although the Welshman is hopeful of returning for the weekend visit to Sevilla.
Most Asian currencies slipped, with the Indonesian rupiah down nearly 0.2% and leading losses
asia2 hours ago
The fleet includes stainless-steel tankers, which are equipped with an operating box or pump room installed at the rear of the vehicle instead of at the bottom of the tankers. This change in the location of the operating box helps to facilitate safer operations
kt network2 hours ago
The airline will refurbish another 43 A380s and 28 Boeing 777
uae2 hours ago
Yellow metal prices retraced from earlier gains following the release of the US April employment report
markets3 hours ago
New investment adds to the S$11.5 billion the company has poured into the Asia Pacific Region until 2023
tech3 hours ago
Safety experts have said the problems at the company suggest significant safety culture defects that will not be turned around quickly
world3 hours ago
'Aquarabia' will offer extreme watersports zone dedicated to rafting, kayaking, canyoneering, free solo climbing and cliff jumping and more
gulf4 hours ago
From street food vendors to mid-market restaurants, people have a wide range of options
uae4 hours ago