Lolo header boosts Sevilla´s Champions League hopes

Sevilla enhanced their hopes of a top four finish and Champions League football as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Malaga on Saturday and move three points ahead of fifth-placed Real Mallorca.

An 84th minute header from Manuel Lolo won the match for the visitors after Juan Cala had cancelled out Felipe Caicedo’s opener for Malaga.

Lolo rose highest to head in a fantastic inswinging cross six minutes from time as Sevilla stayed fourth three points ahead of Mallorca and five points behind Valencia in third. Mallorca host Valencia on Sunday at the Ono Stadium.

For Malaga staying up is the target as they are not safe yet lying six points above the relegation zone.

Ecuadorian forward Caicedo, on loan from Manchester City since January, put Malaga ahead on 16 minutes taking advantage of some poor goalkeeping from Andres Palop.

However, a terrible howler from Uruguayan goalkeeper Gustavo Munua gifted Sevilla a 65th minute equaliser.

Munua failed to hold a routine cross into the box and defender Cala was on hand to bundle home his first goal of the campaign before Lolo powered in a header to win the match.

Elsewhere Villarreal beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 at home on Saturday to move into the top six a point above Athletic Bilbao.

Argentine defender Diego Godin headed the winner on 16 minutes as Villarreal made it three league wins in a row to continue their Europa League push.

In other matches, new Valladolid coach Javier Clemente watched his side draw 0-0 with relegation rivals Tenerife in a result that is little use for either team.

Valladolid, second from bottom, are six points from safety with Tenerife a point better off in 18th.

Basement boys Xerez fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Getafe and are eight points from safety.

All eyes are on the Santiago Bernabeu later on Saturday as Champions League semi-finalists Barcelona take on Real Madrid in a crucial ‘El Clasico’ with both sides locked on 77 points at the summit.

Real, ahead on goal difference, have won all 15 league games at home this season and are targeting a 13th successive league win.

Barcelona won 6-2 at Real last season to all but win the title and have won the last three meetings between the two sides.

“The 6-2 is unrepeatable and happens once in a lifetime,” said Barca coach Pep Guardiola. “This is not a final but we have to play it like one. If we don’t we won’t win at the Bernabeu.”

Lionel Messi, top-scorer in the league with 26 goals, scored four times as Barcelona crushed Arsenal 4-1 on Tuesday to reach the Champions League semi-finals and send a warning to Real.

“I am not interested in how Messi is going to play,” said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini. “I am only interested in what Real Madrid are going to do.”