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European football: Bartesaghi’s double not enough as Milan held by Sassuolo

  • Laurienté equalises for visitors after defender’s two goals

  • Real Sociedad sack Sergio Francisco after Girona defeat

Milan had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo at San Siro after Armand Lauriente’s late strike for the visitors ensured the Serie A title race remains finely poised. Milan are top by one point with 32 points from 15 matches but can be overtaken by Napoli, the defending champions, who visit 12th-placed Udinese later on Sunday. Sassuolo sit ninth on 21 points.

The visitors stunned Milan in the 13th minute when Andrea Pinamonti’s clever layoff set up the midfielder Ismaël Koné, who expertly chipped Mike Maignan to open the scoring.

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© Photograph: Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse/Shutterstock

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European football: Raphinha sinks Osasuna to consolidate Barcelona’s lead

  • Real Madrid, who play on Sunday, now trail by seven points

  • Leverkusen’s Terrier hits back-heel volley against Cologne

Raphinha struck twice late in the second half as Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resolute Osasuna side, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. Hansi Flick’s men now sit on 43 points, comfortably clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and play at Alavés on Sunday.

Despite their control of the game, Barcelona struggled to break down Osasuna’s deep defensive block until the 70th minute when Pedri’s incisive pass cut through the visitors’ defence, finding Raphinha in his stride. The Brazilian forward took a controlled touch before unleashing a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, the ball arrowing inside the left post to finally break the deadlock. Raphinha sealed the win in the 86th minute. A deflected cross from Jules Koundé on the right found the Brazilian unmarked at the far post, and he calmly volleyed the ball into an empty net, giving the scoreline a more comfortable look.

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© Photograph: Europa Press Sports/Europa Press/Getty Images

© Photograph: Europa Press Sports/Europa Press/Getty Images

© Photograph: Europa Press Sports/Europa Press/Getty Images

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