New Valencia head coach Gary Neville watched the League tie from the stands as his brother Phil took charge from the bench in a caretaker capacity.
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The Portuguese left “by mutual consent” following the previous weekend’s defeat at Sevilla.
Sad news has emerged from Spain on Sunday following the dramatic conclusion to Barcelona’s 1-1 draw at Valencia.
“Today football did not reward us for our efforts”.
Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi reacts after missing an attempt on goal during a Spanish league …
“We lacked that ease that we normally have to finish our chances in the final third”, said Barcelona manager Luis Enrique.
Neville is a business partner of Valencia owner Peter Lim and has been charged with putting the club back on track after a disappointing run domestically and in Europe.
“There is nothing to reproach the team for”.
“Valencia defended very well and levelled the score with barely any time for us to turn it around”.
Earlier in the day, Real Madrid enjoyed an easy 4-1 win at home to Getafe.
Barca have 34 points from 14 matches, two ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 at Granada.
They host Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga next weekend before heading to Japan for the Club World Cup.
Karim Benzema, whose legal problems have been another of Real’s off-field distractions, opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he volleyed in Pepe’s cross.
That was the Frenchman’s first goal since being charged in a blackmail scandal involving global teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
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And he looked back to his best as he doubled Madrid’s advantage on 16 minutes when he slotted into the bottom corner from Bale’s headed cut-back after Ronaldo appeared to have been fouled inside the area.
