LEVANTE held big-spending visitors Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw on Saturday which is bound to put more pressure on new coach Jose Mourinho ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game at Auxerre.
Real remained unbeaten, and had another clean sheet, but once again struggled to make their quality count, this time against a promoted club with a squad assembled on a shoestring.
Leaders Valencia swept to a 2-0 victory at Sporting Gijon, while Barcelona beat 10-man Athletic Bilbao 3-1 away in a bruising encounter which also saw their striker David Villa sent off.
Seydou Keita slipped through on to Villa’s pass to score in the 55th and Xavi fired in a deflected shot from outside the area after 74.
Villa was sent off four minutes from time after tangling with Carlos Gurpegi and Igor Gabilondo pulled one back for Bilbao. Sergio Busquets settled the match after a swift Barca counter-attack.
Balcelona full-back Adriano Correia has a thigh strain and has been ruled out of the trip to play Rubin Kazan in the Champions League. Lionel Messi continued his recovery from an ankle problem along with Eric Abidal and Jeffren.
The Argentina forward is expected to make the squad for Wednesday’s Group D match in Russia.
Two quick goals from Mehmet Topal and Roberto Soldado gave Valencia a win at Sporting to set them up nicely for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at home to Manchester United.
