Catch up on all of Sunday’s action from Spain and Italy’s top flights.
Athletic Bilbao 2-5 Barcelona
With Real Madrid dropping points yesterday, a win was vital for Barcelona in the title chase. Taking on Athletic Bilbao, they did just that. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez put Barca up two at the break before a wild run of play in the second half. The sides scored four goals, two apiece, in a seven-minute span, although Barcelona never relinquished the lead. Pedro capped off the scoring in the 86th minute as the Catalans move one point behind Real Madrid at the top of the table.
[ RELATED: Saturday’s La Liga & Serie A Roundup ]
Espanyol 1-2 Valencia
Valencia sits fourth on the table after edging out a 2-1 win over Espanyol. Pablo Piatti gave the visitors the lead in the 62nd minute, marking his return from injury with a big goal for his club. Daniel Parejo doubled their lead when his free kick hit the post and redirected off the face of Espanyol keeper Pau Lopez before falling into the back of the net.
Getafe 2-1 Sevilla
Getafe got a big win over Sevilla thanks to a late goal from Pedro Leon in the 85th minute. The hosts took the lead in the first half when Alvaro Vasquez converted from the penalty spot, but Grzegorz Krychowiak leveled for the visitors after the break. The match looked destined for a draw until Leon tapped home a rebound, handing Sevilla their second straight loss and dropping them out of the top four.
Elsewhere in La Liga
Cordoba 1-2 Almeria
Elche vs. Rayo (Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET)
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Inter Milan 3-0 Palermo
In a battle for positioning in the middle of the standings, Palermo was shut out 3-0 as they travelled to the San Siro. Freddy Guarin put Inter ahead in the 16th minute and Mauro Icardi bagged a second half brace to help his side move into the top half of the table. The win also improved Inter’s record to 7-8-7, the exact same as crosstown rivals AC Milan.
Cagliari 1-2 Roma
Roma is trying to keep pace with league leaders Juventus, now sitting seven points back after a 2-1 victory over Cagliari. Roma had drawn four straight matches, but goals from Adem Ljajic and Leandro Paredes helped take home all three points. Roma supporters will be extremely excited about Daniele Verde, as the 18-year-old assisted on both goals in his first start with the senior team.
Empoli 2-0 Cesena
Two teams struggling in Serie A met at Stadio Carlo Castellani for vital points in the relegation battle. Empoli grabbed its fourth win of the season, and first since November 23rd, to move five points clear of the drop. Cesena has only managed three wins in 22 matches while giving up a whopping 43 goals. With only 15 points past the halfway point, it looks like Cesena is destined for Serie B.
Elsewhere in Serie A
Lazio vs. Genoa (Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET)
Parma vs. Chievo (Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. ET)
