Osasuna hosted Elche yesterday night ( Friday ) & managed their first season victory 2 - 1. Important win for the locals which had already sacked their starting Coach & needed this result to steady their ship. Good victory which they earned with hard work, concentration & goals from Armenteros in the 15th min & Oriol Riera in the 47th min. Elche managed a consolation goal in the 87th min when Albacer converted a penalty.
Real Sociedad played out a 0 - 0 draw with Malaga FC. The home side has fizzed out a bit after their strong season start & may be feeling the efforts of the intense calender of pre-Champions League qualification. Malaga played better then Real Sociedad today & deserved more but they failed to convert their opportunities. Shared points.
Almeria allowed a victory over Levante to slip with the match ending in a 2 - 2 draw. Almeria started strong & dominated with Verza putting his team head with a 45th min penalty. Almeria went further ahead in the 51st min when young Spanish on loan from Liverpool FC player Suso smashed in a brilliant goal from outside the box. However a "doubtful" red card to Almeria defender Cristian gave Levante a penalty in the 55th min which El Zhar converted & left Almeria with 10 min. The equalizer for Levante came soon after when Diop volleyed a great goal from outside the square.
Madrid Club Rayo Vallecano suffered another defeat this time at hands of FC Barcelona losing 0 - 4. The locals held out up to the 36th min when they were awarded a penalty, but in form Barça goalie Victor Valdes stopped it. Before this Pedro had opened the scoring with his first of three goals tonight ( HAT-TRICK) in the 33rd min. Pedro continued on his "merry goalscoring way" with a second in the 47th min & another in the 72nd min. The last goal for Barça came from Cesc Fabregas with his contribution in the 79th min.
Barça coach Martino continues with his "rotation" of players leaving on the bench from the start Alves & Iniesta. The Iniesta rest period is calling my attention somewhat as the player is currently negotiating with his Club the extension of his contract. Iniesta has rejected the first offer from Barça & I am guessing that too much rest period on the bench may liven up the continuing talks with Club.
Lastly, changes at FC Barcelona. For the first time in 5 years Barça fell below 50% of ball control, in fact against Rayo it was 49%. There is now a debate if Barça is changing "Football Philosophy" & using a more "practical" approach to their Football, that is, long ball & counter-attack.
Valladolid lost 0 - 2 to Atletico de Madrid which keeps up its victory stretch 5/5 games. Solid match which went better & better as Atletico went on, but for Valladolid it went the opposite direction. Atletico gave an early warning of intentions around the 34th min when they hit the wood-work.
It was not until the second half that Atletico de Madrid really took off & opened with a 57th min Raul Garcia goal. Then Diego Costa, dangerous all game, got the second for Atletico & his fifth for the season in the 72nd min. Atletico could have scored more but were not able to convert their late chances.
Special mention to Atletico de Madrid midfielder & newly capped Spanish International Koke who put in another "cracker" of a match. Also Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia who has found new vitality under Coach Simeone & of course, Diego Costa who fights for every ball at his reach.
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