During the Etihad siege, Madrid and Lunin successfully defended against Manchester City’s 18 corners. However, in the 6th minute of the crucial Classic match that could determine the League, Raphinha’s cross found Christensen’s head, resulting in a goal for Xavi Hernández’s team. This could have been the start of Barcelona’s comeback in the League, but Madrid once again proved their refusal to be defeated.

Barça arrived at the Bernabéu determined to stay in the championship race, despite their recent failure against PSG. Ancelotti chose his strongest eleven players, although with Tchouaméni and Camavinga playing out of position, and Modric and Kroos sharing the midfield. “This team has something that doesn’t push forward. You have to have incredible faith and character,” admitted Modric after the match.

The Bernabéu also showcased its new 360-degree video scoreboard, which impressed players like Bellingham. On the field, Vinicius equalized from the penalty spot, leveling the score after a foul by Cubarsí on Lucas. However, there was controversy over whether Lunin’s save from Yamal’s shot crossed the line. The absence of goal-line technology in La Liga meant the VAR had to rely on replays to decide.

Gündogan, unaware of the lacking technology, argued with the referee to check his watch. Tebas, the president of La Liga, later responded to the criticism by sharing errors in goal technology in other leagues on Twitter. Xavi criticized the lack of technological advancements in Spanish football and expressed his disappointment with the referee’s decisions. Ancelotti, on the other hand, chose to focus on the match rather than comment on Xavi’s remarks.

Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez emerged as the heroes of the Classic. Bellingham broke his goal drought with his 17th goal of the season, and Lucas contributed to all three Madrid goals by winning a penalty, scoring an equalizer, and assisting in the winning goal. With five minutes left, Lucas and his teammates rallied to secure the victory. Bellingham even praised Lucas on Twitter, calling him a legend.

This historic victory completes Madrid’s 3-0 clean sweep of Barcelona in this year’s Classics, including both in the league and the Super Cup, a feat not achieved since the 1935-1936 season. With a gap of eleven points and only 18 games remaining, Madrid now holds a strong position in the league. They will face Real Sociedad, Cádiz, Granada, Alavés, Villarreal, and Betis in the upcoming matches.

In a week filled with disappointment, FC Barcelona faced another heartbreaking defeat in the classic against Real Madrid. Just days after their Champions League quarterfinals elimination against PSG, their hopes of contending for the League were dashed with a 3-2 loss. The Barcelona fans gathered at the end of the match to show gratitude towards their team, despite the defensive errors and controversial refereeing decisions that ultimately led to their defeat. The defeat may also mark the end of Xavi’s tenure as the Barcelona coach.

Marc André ter Stegen expressed frustrations over the goal-line technology issue, questioning why there was no clear image for review. He believed that the lack of investment in what is important in football is disheartening. Xavi Hernández also voiced his disappointment, stating that the team had not met the competitiveness level required to secure victory. He criticized both the referee and VAR for their decisions. Despite their efforts, Barcelona could not secure a win, despite playing better than their opponents.

The first half of the match was filled with controversy. Barcelona protested a penalty given to Lucas Vázquez, claiming that the Madrid player intentionally sought the collision with the defender. Xavi’s gestures from the sidelines captured the frustration of the Barcelona team. The VAR review upheld the penalty decision, much to Barcelona’s dismay. Later in the match, a goal was not awarded to Barcelona after a prolonged review, as it remained inconclusive whether the ball had entirely crossed the goal line due to goalkeeper Lunin’s positioning. The absence of goal-line technology, unlike in the Premier League, raised concerns about the league’s international impact and fair decision-making.

The injury of Frenkie de Jong added to Barcelona’s woes. In a challenge from Valverde, De Jong suffered a blow to his already injured right ankle, leaving the field in tears and unmistakable pain.

It is evident just by looking at her face, the shape of her smile, her reflections, and the relaxed tone of her conversation that Garbiñe Muguruza (Caracas, 1993) has gracefully accepted the end of her tennis career without any trauma. The former world number 1, a winner of the masters tournament and a finalist at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, spoke to this newspaper at the Palacio de Cibeles, where the twenty-fifth edition of the Laureus Awards is taking place.

How did you feel the day after officially announcing your retirement? Phew! It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. On one hand, there is no reason for sadness as it is a celebration of a beautiful career. But on the other hand, it marks the end of a chapter in my life that has given me so much. What will you miss the most about tennis? I will miss those moments of triumph and the adrenaline rush that comes with winning a point or acing a serve. That feeling of satisfaction when things go well. I will also miss my team because even though tennis is an individual sport, having a supportive team is always nice. When did you make the decision to retire permanently? Last year, I decided to take a break and not think about anything. I wanted to rest and recharge. I didn’t expect to feel this good. After a couple of days, I called my coach Conchita Martinez and told her that I wanted to continue resting and that I didn’t feel the same desire to get back on the court with the same determination. Time passed, and I decided to give myself one more year. When 2024 began, I realized that I didn’t have the same passion for tennis anymore. If you’re not fully committed and at your best, you won’t be able to compete at the highest level. Do you think tennis has a negative impact on mental health? At the highest level, yes. It demands so much sacrifice and dedication. Not only tennis but any sport that aims to be number 1 in the world requires giving up everything for it. It pushes you to your limits. You mentioned wanting to make up for lost time. Did you feel confined by tennis? Yes, in a way. Tennis became my whole life, playing the same tournaments, following the same routine every day. There was nothing more than waking up and dedicating myself to physical effort. I don’t want to say that I missed out on things because I gained a lot, but I wanted to do basic things, spend time with my loved ones, and not always feel physically and mentally exhausted. Because my body wasn’t the same anymore, especially with my ankle problems. The day-to-day grind was very demanding. Did you make friends on the tennis circuit? I have always been more solitary in tennis. It was difficult for me to make friends and then face them on the court the next day. It’s hard to form close friendships in an individual sport. Was tennis always your destiny? Absolutely. I started playing when I was three years old because my brothers were already playing. It was clear from the beginning that I had a natural talent for it, and as I grew older, I realized that tennis was my calling. Did you ever feel exhausted while playing? Yes, there were moments when I felt exhausted. After winning the WTA Finals in 2021, I had a very short off-season and went straight into the Australian Open in 2022. I remember thinking to myself, “Here we go again.” I started to feel the accumulation of physical and mental fatigue, and my performances were inconsistent. The satisfaction of winning wasn’t the same anymore. I think it’s a natural process. Do you have any regrets? Of course, there are moments that I look back on and feel a twinge of regret. For example, the Grand Slam finals that I couldn’t win, especially the one in Australia in 2020 against Sofia Kenin. That was the toughest moment of my career. The Wimbledon final was different because I was still new to the stage. I also regret not winning an Olympic medal, especially when I came close with Carla Suarez. There will always be a “what if” lingering, but in the end, I accept that it was what it was. Now that you have left the controlled world of tennis, do you feel a sense of dizziness or uncertainty? Yes, it does feel like stepping into the unknown. The life of a tennis player is very controlled, just like horses. As Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova have told me, now everything will feel like a vacation. It’s about enjoying life and taking it easy, as my parents always advised. Not everything has to be a frantic rush of work and obligations. Your time has come, and that’s okay. 30 years old is a good age to transition into a new phase of life. Have you considered coaching? Coaching is like being a player but with an added responsibility of guiding another person. It’s a tough job, and right now, I’m not even thinking about it. How would you like to be remembered? I hope to be remembered as someone who was not only a successful tennis player but also a determined and courageous individual, someone who pursued her goals with passion and never gave up.

It couldn’t be just another day and it couldn’t be just another game. Only one team would come out victorious with three points, but the Mendizorroza duel between Alavés and Atlético de Madrid was a moment that would be remembered in the Simeone household. It was a special occasion as father and son faced each other in the league for the first time, with Giuliano also making his first start after recovering from a broken leg. And, against all odds, it would be the son who would have the last laugh. [Narrative and Statistics, 2-0]

The Simeone name itself carries connotations of struggle, effort, and sacrifice. However, in the opening minutes, both teams seemed to interpret these virtues in an exaggerated manner, resulting in a more physical game than usual. This was a league day without many emergencies, but with everyone keeping an eye on the Champions League and relegation battles.

In a blink of an eye, Alavés found themselves with the opening goal, and Giuliano had a chance to extend the lead. After a long clearance by Sivera, a series of rebounds fell kindly to Benavidez who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner. It was a fantastic goal. Unfortunately, Giuliano couldn’t replicate his father’s success just two minutes later, as his shot flew high over the crossbar due to a mistimed jump by Savic.

For the 12th consecutive game, Atlético de Madrid conceded a goal, signaling a defensive struggle this season. It has cost them numerous disappointments, particularly in away matches, as well as elimination from the Cup and the Champions League. It has become a dramatic situation for the team.

It was disheartening to see a team like Atlético, known for their strong defensive footing and counterattacking prowess this season, spend almost the entire first half chasing the ball and waiting for a chance to counter when they were already behind on the scoreboard. The impact of their defeat against Dortmund was evident, especially in their emotional state. Only De Paul and Koke showed some self-respect by trying to make a difference.

In the first half, with only one shot on goal and trailing from the 14th minute, Atlético’s performance was disappointing. However, just as time seemed to be running out, an unnecessary handball from Azpilicueta almost added to their misery. Fortunately for them, the VAR stepped in and overturned the penalty decision made by Gil Manzano. There have been times when similar incidents have been penalized. It’s easy to see why complaints increase when a bigger team benefits from such gray areas in the game.

Former Atlético player Filipe Luis mentioned that it can be mentally challenging to prepare for league matches that follow demanding European fixtures. This disappointment was evident in the first half, but Cholo tried to correct it with a half-time team talk and the introduction of Saúl for De Paul. Saúl immediately made his presence felt, engaging in a battle with Giuliano on the pitch.

Whether it was due to the team’s improved performance or Alavés taking their foot off the pedal, Atlético started to exert more pressure and create opportunities in the second half. This is where they excel this season, with a focus on possession and high pressing. Giuliano continued to shine as the best player on the field, tormenting the Atlético defense, especially Molina.

Two surprises emerged from the match at Mendizorroza. Firstly, the absence of Griezmann in terms of his impact on the game. The Frenchman was virtually invisible, continuing his underwhelming performances from the Dortmund match. This lack of influence poses a problem for Atlético. The second surprise was the absence of Samu, who was left out of the starting lineup by Alavés coach Luis García Plaza. It turned out to be a tactical decision that worked in their favor.

As the game progressed, Atlético improved their play after Riquelme’s substitution and came close to equalizing through Lino’s missed opportunity. Sivera also had to make a crucial save to deny Correa’s powerful shot. Atlético pressed hard, eager to salvage a point, but in the end, it was Alavés who delivered a final blow. They scored a spectacular goal to seal the victory and keep Atlético stuck in their post-traumatic state after European disappointments.

Max Verstappen’s dominance in Shanghai was evident not only in the gap between him and the second-place finisher Lando Norris, but also in his superior race pace compared to McLaren and Ferrari. Red Bull’s dominance was further highlighted by their quick and almost simultaneous double pit-stop, resolved in just 2.1 and 2.0 seconds. Verstappen’s only concern during the race was avoiding the debris on the track. With no one to challenge him, the World Cup leader delivered another exceptional performance in China.

In reality, Verstappen’s return to the Shanghai International Circuit after four years was almost flawless. He not only won the sprint race from fourth place but also showcased his ability to overcome obstacles. The Dutchman’s dominance was evident in his lap times, as he outperformed his teammate and left Sergio Pérez in the dust. With this fourth victory of the year, Red Bull now holds a total of 117 victories, surpassing Mercedes’ record in the modern era.

McLaren and Ferrari were no match for the terrifying pace of the RB-20, and attempts to destabilize Red Bull off the track have proven futile. However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff continues to express his admiration for Verstappen, hinting at a possible future collaboration in 2026 when new regulations come into play. This message did not sit well with Red Bull, and Christian Horner wasted no time in responding, suggesting that Mercedes should focus on other elements instead of pursuing unavailable drivers.

Horner further emphasized that Verstappen’s position is clear and there is no ambiguity about where he will be next year. He dismissed the rumors and stated that as long as Verstappen is happy with the team, there is no reason for him to leave. Verstappen’s final decision will be influenced by the judgment of his father and agent. Meanwhile, he will continue to dominate his competitors on the track.