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| Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid |
VALENCIA CF lost 3 - 6 to a REAL MADRID "B" team as Coach Mourinho left on the bench Ronaldo, Ozil, Marcelo, Pepe & Xabi Alonso; apart from resting Ramos, Di Maria & Khedira who is out injured. Coach Mourinho put on for his debut match young defender Nacho Fernandez who put in a competent match along with Kaka, Higuain, Benzema ...all protagonists tonight.
In fact, Valencia was down 0 - 4 by half time as the newly crowd Spanish Cup winners overran the home team which was suffering from lack of defensive discipline. KARIM BENZENA opened proceeding in the 22nd min, followed by goals from HIGUAIN in the 30th min , thanks to a terrible defensive mistake from defender Mathieu, KAKA in the 38th min & again HIGUAIN in the 42 th min
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| Kaka celebrates his goal |
Valencia started the second half terribly with HIGUAIN scoring his third in the 52nd min (HAT-TRICK) which caused many Valencia fans to leave their seats & the ground. Valencia reacted somewhat as Real Madrid relaxed their foot off the accelarator, with SOLDADO scoring the first of Valencia in the 59th min. But there was to be one more for Real Madrid via KAKA in the 61st min that was absolutely fabulous with dribbling & scoring that showed signs of the "old Kaka".
Mourinho then did some field changes & things relaxed to which Valencia took advantage & thankfully scored via JONAS in the 80th min & JORDI ALBA in the 85th min to water-down the tremendous hiding received tonight.
Valencia CF Coach Emery was furious post match with his teams attitude as they risk the hard fought for 3rd place on the Spanish League ladder that they currently hold. Meanwhile, Real Madrid keeps the gap with Barça as last week. Obviously , Real Madrid is thinking ahead & planning the Champions League semi-final mid week against Barcelona.
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| David Villa breaks his "dry spell" |
FC BARCELONA was also thinking in their mid - week Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid giving rest to big named players like Pique & having Iniesta & Messi start on the bench. They managed to win 2 - 0 OSASUNA but had to call upon Iniesta & Messi in the second half as Osasuna nearly gave them a fright. In fact, Barça goalie Valdes who notched up his 500th match had to do an "impossible save"/s to avoid the equalizer from Osasuna.
Barça started well & DAVID VILLA finally scored in the 23rd min to break a "dry goal spell" since the 26th of February, but from here onward the Barça game deteriorated as Osasuna took control. Guardiola had to put on players who were meant to rest to solve a "sticky situation" which occurred when MESSI scored the second goal late in the 85th min.
Barcelona keeps its 8 point advantage over Real Madrid in the Spanish League title race & look virtually assured for this season. However, mid week there is Champions League & against Real Madrid & tonight's performance was way below usual standards that will give Coach Guardiola work in the coming days to better things & fix some on-field tactical "problems".
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| At Bilbao player Muniain scores against Real Soceidad |
Fantastic & intense Football game in the Basque country derby between ATHLETIC DE BILBAO & REAL SOCIEDAD with the home side taking the honours with a 2 - 1 score line.
At.Bilbao got off on fire with young MUNIAIN scoring in the 18th min followed by a second from TOQUERO in the 29th min. Real Sociedad shook off the "daze" & reacted to attack more & score via an own goal from Bilbao midfielder JAVI MARTINEZ. From here, Real Sociedad lifted gears & played much better & even could have had a penalty not called.
From this point it was a authentic battle midfield with chances being interchanged between both teams & goalkeepers working overtime especially Athletic goalie Fernandez. With Real Sociedad increasing their intensity in attack to find the equalizer as the game went onwards, Bilbao defended well & held out to grab the three points & the "derby" that has a very special significance up lovely North. Great match!
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