Barcelona: Barcelona got their La Liga season off to a winning start on Sunday, beating Real Betis 2-0 at a emotional Camp Nou following a pair of terrorist attacks in Catalonia.
Twin vehicle attacks on Thursday killed 14 people and wounded around 120 in Barcelona’s bustling Las Ramblas boulevard and the nearby seaside resort of Cambrils.
A minute’s silence was held before kick-off, whilst Barcelona players wore black armbands and shirts with ‘Barcelona’ replacing individual names on the back.
“What happened was terrible, we hope this stops now because we are not afraid,” Barca winger Gerard Deulofeu, who set up both goals, told BeIN Sports Spain. “This victory is for those affected.”
The decision for the match to go ahead with increased security measures put in place was part of a desire to “recover normality” in the words of Catalonia’s president Carles Puigdemont.
A defiant attitude was on show in the stands, although in common with many matches against weaker opposition, the 99,000 capacity Camp Nou was far from full.
After the attack some fans, especially tourists, returned their tickets, the club said without giving figures.
“Their money was refunded to everyone, the circumstances are special and understandable,” a club spokesman said.
Fans in the Barca singing section borrowed a line from the club’s anthem in a banner that read: “No one can ever break us,” whilst chants of “we are not afraid” rang out after the minute’s silence.
“We can’t live with fear, which is exactly the mentality that these situations normally cause and people don’t want to leave the house,” said Vanessa Hano, 28, an American Barcelona resident.
“I thought there would be like a collective hysteria but I see everything is normal,” added Sandra Lorenzo, 41, as she sold drinks next to the stadium.
“I have worked here for 25 years at every match. They are not going to make me stay at home.”
Real cruise to win at Deportivo
In Madrid, Real Madrid’s winning streak shows no signs of abating as the European champions began their title defence with a comfortable 3-0 win at Deportivo la Coruna.
Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos were on target for the visitors, but Madrid’s night at La Riazor ended on a sour note when captain Sergio Ramos was shown the 23rd red card of his Real career.
Deportivo were left to rue to big chances missed by Florin Andone in the first 10 minutes, whilst the Romanian international also saw a late penalty saved by Keylor Navas.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane made four changes from the side that completed a 5-1 aggregate hammering of Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday. Victory in midweek sealed a fifth trophy for Zidane’s men in the past four months after lifting La Liga, the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup.
