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Sport

Real Madrid slump to defeat; Barca march on

Sunday, September 16, 2012



MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Real Madrid slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla yesterday as Jose Mourinho's defending champions suffered a second defeat in four matches, their worst start to a La Liga season in over a decade.

Piotr Trochowski got the only goal for Sevilla as Real's haul of just four points so far condemned the Spanish giants to their most damaging opening since 2001-02.

Real are also eight behind rivals Barcelona who won 4-1 at Getafe to retain their 100 per cent record.

Trochowski grabbed the winner when the German international was quickest to react to a corner after just two minutes.

"Right now I have no team. We are a team without concentration," said Mourinho. "At half-time, I changed two players and wanted to change six."

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was the centre of attention in the build-up to the game after claiming he was unhappy in the Spanish capital, produced two saves from Andres Palop on 10 minutes and another from a tight angle before half-time.

Jesus Navas and Cicinho combined well on the right, and with Alvaro Negredo bravely leading the attack for Sevilla, the home side always looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

Mourinho showed his discontent by ordering his substitutes to warm-up on the half-hour mark. Luka Modric and Karim Benzema replaced Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil at the interval in an attempt to change the game.

The summer signing from Tottenham, Modric, produced a spectacular save from Palop on 52 minutes, but a minute later Negredo should have doubled Sevilla's lead.

Sergio Ramos then headed a difficult ball over the bar from almost on the goal-line and with 25 minutes remaining Mourinho made his final change replacing Alvaro Arbeloa with Jose Callejon.

Barcelona made it four in four with a 4-1 victory at Getafe. Brazilian full-back Adriano grabbed an early lead for Barca before Lionel Messi left the bench to grab a double to make it six league goals for him and assure the points for the Catalan side.

Pablo Sarabia got a late consolation for the home side before the recovering David Villa also came off the bench to claim his second of the season.

Malaga beat Levante 3-1 to record their best ever start to a La Liga season with 10 points from four games to stay two points behind Barca in second position. French international full-back Aly Cissokho starred as Valencia beat Celta Vigo 2-1.



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