Barcelona’s faltering La Liga title challenge suffered another setback after they surrendered a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 at relegation-threatened Getafe.

A surprise 1-0 loss for leaders Atletico Madrid at Leganes on Saturday afternoon presented Hansi Flick’s third-placed side a chance to move within three points of top spot.

But having won just one of their previous seven league fixtures, Barca dropped more points after Jules Kounde’s early opener was cancelled out before the break by a bundled finish
from Mauro Arambarri.

Matija Nastasic scored Leganes’ goal as Atleti’s eight-match winning run in the league came to a surprising abrupt end.

Reigning champions Real Madrid, who sit four points ahead of Barcelona in second place, were presented the chance to return to the top of the table when they hosted Las Palmas in a match scheduled for yesterday.

Kike Garcia scored a hat-trick as Alaves boosted their survival fight with a 3-1 win over 10-man Real Betis, while Sevilla beat Girona 2-1, thanks to a late goal from Dodi Lukebakio.

In Serie A, Napoli moved six points clear at the top with a 3-2 win over third-placed Atalanta.

La Dea led through Mateo Retegui’s 14th league goal of the season, but Matteo Politano and Scott McTominay turned the tables. Ademola Lookman equalised, only for Romelu Lukaku’s 78th-minute strike to earn Napoli the points.

Second-placed Inter Milan have two games in hand over the leaders, the first played against Empoli yesterday.

Juventus beat AC Milan 2-0, with goals from Samuel Mbangula and Timothy Weah, while Bologna beat Monza 3-1.

Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain won 2-1 at Lens, Bradley Barcola with a late winner after Fabian Ruiz had cancelled out M’Bala Nzola’s opener.

Brest beat Rennes by the same scoreline, while Lyon and Toulouse drew 0-0. 

-Nampa/AFP