A fantastic game at the San Mames Barria last night saw Athletic Bilbao run out 4-2 winners over Real Valladolid. The three points takes Athletic back up to fourth in La Liga, in their personal duel against Villareal for a Champion's League spot. Valladolid, deep in a relegation dogfight, took a surprise lead on 15 minutes through Oscar. It was enough to take them into a half-time lead and Athletic's unbeaten run at home this season looked to be under threat. The second half was a whole different affair. The equaliser came on 65 minutes from Ibai. Oscar de Marcos,who came on as a substitute … [Read more...]
Third Manager In Six Weeks At Betis
The managerial merry-go-round is revolving again at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville. Juan Carlos Garrido has been sacked after just 47 days in charge. It has been an unhappy, if mercifully brief, tenure for Garrido. The writing was on the wall from the moment that Real Madrid thumped them 5-0 on Saturday. A Madrid team in full flow, as they were for the first time in a while, can do that to anyone but the result was symptomatic of the poor displays that Betis have produced under Garrido The Betis fans chanted for Garrido to go throughout the game, and more dangerously for the manager … [Read more...]
Manchester United Move For Moreno
As gloom descends over Old Trafford, David Moyes is on the brink of making his first transfer window move and bringing in a La Liga left back. Not, however, the expected move for Real Madrid outcast Fabio Coentrao but a swoop for Sevilla's young defender Alberto Moreno. Patrice Evra is nearing the end of his Manchester United career and has looked increasingly fragile as the season has progressed. With a left back the priority it had seemed that Coentrao was the one who would be flying in from Spain. The Madrid full back had other ideas – he doesn't want to move to a club that seems likely to … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Sevilla
Atletico Madrid missed a glorious chance to go clear at the top of La Liga. Having earlier watched Barcelona fail to beat Levante, Diego Simeone's side achieved the exact same result at home to Sevilla. A 1-1 draw that keeps them behind Barca on goal difference. The Vicente Calderon stadium should be renamed the Vicente Cauldron this season as the fans have been ramping up the atmosphere and the decibels. The party spirit before kick off yesterday was frenzied, this was their chance to go top and they would snatch it with both hands. What could go wrong. Sevilla had other ideas, they hadn't … [Read more...]
Getafe 2-2 Real Sociedad
Getafe had lost five games in a row, but manager Luis Garcia Plaza secured a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad in the first La Liga game of the day. It looked as if Getafe were heading for yet another defeat as they went two goals down inside the first twenty minutes. Sociedad's Spanish striker Imano Agirretxe took full advantage of a Getafe defence that was low in confidence, scoring in just the fourth minute and then adding a second on 16 minutes. At this point it seemed as if the floodgates would open but Getafe shook off their lethargy and began to dig deep. Ciprian … [Read more...]
Malago 0-0 Valencia
With an exciting week of Copa Del Rey football over, La Liga action returned at La Rosaleda last night where Malaga and Valencia played out an entertaining nil nil draw. Malaga manager Bernd Schuster will have been pleased with his sides efforts but they are now winless in three games and looking anxiously over their shoulders on 21 points. The home team started well, with Valencia, much improved under new manager Juan Antonio Pizzi, slow out of the blocks. Samu and Ignacio Camacho both came close but Malaga could not find the early goal that their play deserved. Valencia wakened from their … [Read more...]
Copa Del Rey Round Up: Sociedad Gain Revenge
This week's Copa Del Rey action witnessed a remarkable turn around for Real Sociedad. They were beaten four one at Villareal on Monday night, see the report here on La Liga Blog: http://laligablog.com/?p=3590 but they managed to regroup in time for Thursday night's clash at the same ground. Villareal won 1-0 at El Madrigal thanks to a goal from Javi Ros and progressed through to the quarter finals after a goalless first leg. Villalreal had a great chance to equalise from the penalty spot, after a dubious decision, but Perbet's attempt was dreadful - high, wide and not at all handsome. Surely … [Read more...]
Osasuna 0-2 Real Madrid
Ronaldo continued his award winning week with a bizarre goal to help Real Madrid win 2-0 against Osasuna and march into the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey. Madrid were already two up from the first leg so it was a damage limitation exercise for the home side in Pamplona. They created some chances but never looked like scoring against much classier opposition. The breakthrough cam on 22 minutes and who scored – of course it was the new world footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is famed for his wonderful free kicks, but this wasn't one of them. The ball was heading straight to … [Read more...]
Atletico Progress To Quarter-Finals
Atletico Madrid progressed to the round of 8 in the Copa del Rey last night, keeping alive their hopes of glory on three fronts. I was in Spain to witness their 2-0 victory over Valencia, and was impressed by their composure and ability to move up a gear when needed. Last week's first leg had ended 1-1 thanks to a late Valencia equaliser from Helder Postiga. With another draw against Barcelona last Saturday it was imperative that they returned to winning ways, but Valencia had set out their stall to frustrate Atleti. They look a stronger, more organised team under new coach Juan Antonio … [Read more...]
Arrasate hoping for instant retribution after Villarreal hammering
Real Sociedad boss Jagoba Arrasate has labelled the 5-1 defeat to Villarreal on Monday night as 'his worst day as coach of the club'. The good news for the recently appointed boss however is that his side have the chance to get revenge over Villarreal this Thursday in the Copa del Rey. Sociedad slumped to the uncharacteristic defeat after previously enjoying a series of games without defeat. … [Read more...]