LaLiga: Roque fires Barcelona to narrow win as Atletico Madrid edge Rayo

Brazilian striker, Vitor Roque, scored his first goal for Barcelona to secure a 1-0 win over Osasuna in LaLiga, while Atletico Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, said he was stepping down at the end of the season after a heavy defeat last weekend left the Catalans 11 points behind league leaders Girona.

Barcelona cut that down to eight with a largely drab win over their mid-table visitors, earned by young Brazilian striker Vitor Roque’s first goal for the club.

Osasuna had defender Unai Garcia sent off for two yellow cards but Barcelona could not put the game to bed.

The Catalans also trail second-place Real Madrid by seven points despite playing one extra match.

Xavi said he was delighted for Roque after he struck his first goal for the club.

EPL: Liverpool whip Chelsea at Anfield as Man City beat Burnley 3-1

“I’m very happy for him, he had chances (in other games) but didn’t take them, today it’s come at last, his goal today is hugely positive,” he added.

Ferran Torres limped off with a thigh injury in the first half to add to Barcelona’s problems, with early reports suggesting he may miss the Champions League last 16 trip to Napoli on February 21.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid stay third, ahead of the fourth-place Barcelona, after Memphis Depay snatched them a late 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico returned above the Catalans on goal difference after Depay stabbed home in the 91st minute.

Defender Reinildo Mandava headed the Rojiblancos ahead in the 37th minute from Rodrigo Riquelme’s crossed free-kick.

Alvaro Garcia superbly fired Rayo level at the Metropolitano stadium before half-time, with a snap shot from 16 yards out which whistled beyond Jan Oblak and into the far corner.

Depay thought he had put Atletico ahead after Pablo Barrios threaded him through, but his goal was ruled out for a tight offside.

The Dutch forward, formerly of Barcelona, eventually struck for the third consecutive game when Antoine Griezmann found him with a low cross.

Rayo coach Francisco was sent off for complaining in the aftermath, as Atletico fans celebrated wildly.

The Star