the sufferring long traffic jams, multiple luggage & the screaming
kids. Now that I am free from family obligations, here is a summary
kids. Now that I am free from family obligations, here is a summary
of Round 29 "liga" results :-)
The Spanish 1º Division is "red hot" again after REAL MADRID
let go a possible victory with a penalty & "bad" defending,
that gave the victory to VALENCIA CF 2-3. This now narrows
the gap with Fc Barcelona to only 4º points & the final race for
the title now is´nt a one horse affair.
Valencia started strong with a goal from DAVID VILLA in the 33rd
min, that caused Real Madrid to get its act together & begin working
well with Guti taking control. The team hooked up well & found
RAUL who scored twice with brilliant goals in the 34th & 56th
min.
that gave the victory to VALENCIA CF 2-3. This now narrows
the gap with Fc Barcelona to only 4º points & the final race for
the title now is´nt a one horse affair.
Valencia started strong with a goal from DAVID VILLA in the 33rd
min, that caused Real Madrid to get its act together & begin working
well with Guti taking control. The team hooked up well & found
RAUL who scored twice with brilliant goals in the 34th & 56th
min.
Real were in control but failed on numerous occasions to seal the
game with missed chances; that & some unbelievable saves from
Valencia goalie HILDEBRAND, would make Real pay the price in
the latter part of the match.
The failure to "kill off" Valencia gave them confidence & Real Madrid
defender Cannavaro would become the unlucky protagonist with his
Valencia goalie HILDEBRAND, would make Real pay the price in
the latter part of the match.
The failure to "kill off" Valencia gave them confidence & Real Madrid
defender Cannavaro would become the unlucky protagonist with his
"stupid" penalty to Silva , that DAVID VILLA scored to equalize in
the 67th min, & ARIZMENDI who made the Italian look "old" to
score the winner in the 89th min.
Harsh punishment for Real who played well, but sinned in letting
the 67th min, & ARIZMENDI who made the Italian look "old" to
score the winner in the 89th min.
Harsh punishment for Real who played well, but sinned in letting
off the hook Valencia, added with some terrible defensive errors.
FC BARCELONA won 4-1 against VALLADOLID & cuts the gap
with Real Madrid to just 4ºpoints. SAMUEL ETO ´O scored first in
the 21st min, to have Valladolid equalize in the 30th min via SESMA.
However, the Barça machine slowly began reeving up & INIESTA
scored early in the 2ºhalf in the 47th min to put them ahead. Then
youngster BOJAN ( above) scored twice in the 62th & 84th min to
secure the victory & grab the valuable 3 points. The pressure is now
back onto Real Madrid.
VILLAREAL keeps the pressure on Barça staying 2º points behind
VILLAREAL keeps the pressure on Barça staying 2º points behind
them in 3ºrd place, after defeating LEVANTE 1-2. The goals came
from MATI FERNANDEZ in the 27th min, but Levante equalized
in the 65th via MIGUEL ANGEL, to finally have GUILLE FRANCO
grab the victory in the 83th min. Important win for Villareal who
keeps the pressure on the leaders & consolidates its Champions
League table position.
in the 65th via MIGUEL ANGEL, to finally have GUILLE FRANCO
grab the victory in the 83th min. Important win for Villareal who
keeps the pressure on the leaders & consolidates its Champions
League table position.
REAL BETIS continue bettering with its win over OSASUNA
0-1 thanks to the goal in the 53rd min by MARK GONZALEZ
(above)
Top game that finished in a just manner , a 1-1 draw between
REAL ZARAGOZA & ALMERIA. Zaragoza started well & scored
via RICARDO OLIVEIRA (above) in the 68th min, but
NEGREDO equalized in the 89th min.
NEGREDO equalized in the 89th min.
RACING enter Uefa positions with its victory 2-0 over
RECREATIVO. The victory was only managed & hard work was
needed as the goals came in 81st min thanks to ORTEMAN &
in the 94th via SMOLAREK. Some sweat, blood & tears by Racing!
Second last team REAL MURCIA "surprised" with a 4-0 win over
RCD ESPANYOL. Goals came by IVAN ALONSO ( 35th & 47th min),
ABEL in the 63rd & RICHI in the 85th min. Espanyol is in a tough
battle with Racing & Sevilla for the remaining Euro position & this
results does not help their cause.
MALLORCA won 1-0 against DEPORTIVO thanks to the only goal
by ARANGO in the 22nd min; that could have been more, but Mallorca
just could´nt get to ball into the net to add to its solitary goal.
SEVILLA FC had the chance to grab the 4th spot & Champions
League "ticket" position against ATLETICO DE MADRID on
Saturday & failed. It was vital that Atletico win & they did not fail
this time with a 1-2 victory, that had Atletico Argentine sensation Aguero
as the protagonist in more ways than one.
It was a tough encounter, as the circumstance called for & Atletico
scored first via MAXI RODRIGUEZ from a Simao pass in the 18th min.
The game see-sawed & Sevilla equalized in the 48th min thanks to
CAPEL.
Then SERGIO AGUERO played his part, firstly by causing
It was a tough encounter, as the circumstance called for & Atletico
scored first via MAXI RODRIGUEZ from a Simao pass in the 18th min.
The game see-sawed & Sevilla equalized in the 48th min thanks to
CAPEL.
Then SERGIO AGUERO played his part, firstly by causing
the red card to Maresma after the latter headbutted the Argentine.
Sevilla with 10 men then saw how Aguero sneaked behind the defensive
line to score the winner in the 57th min.
Atletico consolidates its 4th position with a 2º point on gap on Racing &
Sevilla with 10 men then saw how Aguero sneaked behind the defensive
line to score the winner in the 57th min.
Atletico consolidates its 4th position with a 2º point on gap on Racing &
a 5ºpoint gap on Sevilla Fc.
ATHLETIC DE BILBAO grab 8th spot on the table after winning
in form GETAFE by a solitary goal from above pictured ETXEBERRIA
in the 28th min. Final score 1-0
1 comment:
Truly amazing stuff in La Liga right now. I would never have imagined that Valencia would beat Madrid even after their win over Barca in the Copa Del Rey.
I can't believe that it was Arizmendi who scored his first goal of the season to get the winner. The goal he scored, from the near post didn't look like one from a guy who has struggled to score goals in his La Liga career. The near post attempt reminded me of a goal Socrates in the 1982 World Cup although Socrates was nearer to the goal and played the ball on the ground while Arizmendi's shot was slightly lifted above the ground. Still very rare that you see a goalie beaten at the near post at this level.
What happens now? Will be interesting to see if Madrid can recover or if they will continue to slip-up? And even if they slip-up, can Barca put together a consistent effort? So far, they have looked off key for most of the season and right now, I would say that even if Madrid lost every single game from now until end of the season, they would still be champs as Barca will find ways to lose.
Nonetheless, makes for interesting viewing. Each week, the headlines either declare the Spanish title race over, only to call it open the next, only to change their mind again.
ok, I have said a lot :)
Post a Comment