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La Liga: Barca secure 2-1 win at Valladolid to preserve title charge

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Barcelona's Dutch midfielder #21 Frenkie De Jong and Barcelona's Spanish midfielder #06 Pablo Gavi celebrate their victory at the end of the Spanish league football match between Real Valladolid FC and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Cesar Manso / AFP)

Barcelona survived a scare as they came from behind to beat already-relegated Real Valladolid 2-1 on Saturday to extend their La Liga lead and move one step closer to the title.

The Catalan giants heavily rotated with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final clash at Inter Milan in mind and fell behind to Ivan Sanchez’s early deflected goal.

However, second-half strikes by Raphinha and Fermin Lopez helped Barca climb seven points clear of second-place champions Real Madrid, who host Celta Vigo on Sunday ahead of the Clasico on May 11.

Barca coach Hansi Flick kept just two players who started the blockbuster 3-3 first leg draw with Inter on Wednesday in his side — Pedri Gonzalez and Gerard Martin.

Flick brought in his German compatriot Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, after a long injury lay-off, for his first appearance since September.

Within six minutes, Ter Stegen was picking the ball out of his net.

Martin’s shot from the right of the area deflected off Ronald Araujo and looped past Ter Stegen into the far top corner.

Despite going ahead against the league leaders, home fans protested against Valladolid majority owner and president Ronaldo, the former Brazil great, by throwing around fake banknotes with his face on them and chanting for him to leave.

Valladolid goalkeeper Andre Ferreira tipped over Pau Victor’s header after Fermin Lopez picked out the forward with a curling cross and saved well from Ansu Fati.

Barca debutant Dani Rodriguez suffered a shoulder injury that needed heavy bandaging, and Flick took the midfielder off for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

The 17-year-old shone against Inter in midweek and despite the coach initially hoping he could rest at the Jose Zorilla stadium, with Barca behind Flick was glad to bring him on.

The coach also took off Pedri and Ansu at half-time, sending on Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong to shake up his side.

After Yamal was fouled early in the second half Raphinha tested Ferreira with a free-kick from a wide angle which he pushed behind.

Barca’s two wingers were involved again as the Catalans levelled, with Yamal’s dangerous cross pushed to the edge of the box by Ferreira.

Raphinha picked up the loose ball and slid home his 16th league goal of the campaign.

Seven minutes later, Barca took the lead, with Martin sliding the ball across for Lopez to finish from just inside the area.

Hector Fort came close to netting the third after Yamal found him with a backheel, turning skillfully in the box before firing against the post.

Ferreira pushed out a Dani Olmo free-kick in the final stages, with Barca unable to add to their lead.

Araujo made a vital interception in his area in stoppage time to keep the bottom side at bay, with Barca relieved to clinch three vital points.

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Transfer: You’re free to go – Maresca tells Madueke amid Arsenal interest

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Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has told Noni Madueke that he is free to leave the Premier League club this summer.

Arsenal are believed to hold an interest in adding Madueke to their squad.

The Gunners have reportedly initiated fresh round of transfer talks, with Chelsea valuing the 23-year-old at £50 million.

Madueke only moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023 and has a contract with the club until 2030.

However, Jamie Gittens’ arrival from Borussia Dortmund could now lead to Madueke’s exit.

Speaking to reporters, Maresca said: “Noni has been very important for us during this season. Today, again, he has been important.

“But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go.”

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‘He’s born to Nigerian parents’ – Atalanta confirms new signing Ahanor could play for Super Eagles

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Nigerian left-footed defender, Honest Ovonranwen Ahanor, has joined Ademola Lookman at Atalanta.

The club announced the player’s arrival on Friday, confirming he was born to Nigerian parents.

They signed the defender from another Serie A side, Genoa to bring their summer signings to three.

The Italian side have already signed the likes of Odilon Kossounou from Bayer Leverkusen and Kamaldeen Sulemana from Southampton.

Ahanor became first player born in 2008 to appear in the Italian Serie A last season.

He was 16-year-old when he made his full Serie A debut for his former club against Juventus.

He went on to play as much as six games in the top-flight last term.

Atalanta confirmed that the highly rated defender is eligible to play for Nigeria through his Nigerian parents.

Atalanta wrote on their official website, “Born on February 23, 2008 in Aversa to Nigerian parents, Honest joined Genoa’s youth sector when he was still a child.”

He has not played for Italy at any level, making it easy for Nigeria to call him up.

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Club World Cup: Gittens joins Chelsea squad ahead of semi-final

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Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has revealed that Jamie Gittens has joined up with his squad ahead of an official announcement of his transfer.

The Blues have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for Gittens.

The 20-year-old was spotted on the pitch following Chelsea’s quarter-final win over Palmeiras.

After the 2-1 win, Maresca said: “Jamie was here tonight, he was on the pitch.

“And he will be with us probably one more day, two days more.

“Then he will go for a holiday and come back when we’re going to start the new season.”

Chelsea had hoped to sign Gittens in time to play a full part in the competition but a deal could not initially be struck.

It is instead set to be announced ahead of the semi-final against Fluminense next week.

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