Spanish Football action today with Round 10 Liga matches scheduled including the big "el clasico" between FC Barcelona & Real Madrid. Obviously this game eclipses all others so we will begin the post summary of the Saturday encounters with "the clasico". Here is a brief summary of the main events, the final results-scorers & the goalscorers.
Another great & controversial match between FC Barcelona & Real Madrid which ended with a final result of 2 - 1 which allows Barça to open up an "important" gap of 6 points over their arch - rivals. This also is an important "psychological push" that will lift the confidence of Barcelona. Real Madrid on the other hand claim that they were harshly done by the referee who did not call what appeared a clear penalty on Cristiano Roanldo in the 26th min of the second half by Mascherano. If the penalty would have been called & a goal may have been scored & the final result may have been totally different. Real Madrid claim that this decision changed the course of the match precisely when Real Madrid was dominating the game.
Real Madrid started surprising us all by putting Sergio Ramos as a defensive midfielder indicating perhaps a more defensive attitude & a counter-attacking strategy. It looked this way as Gareth Bale started which indicated an emphasis on speed. However, as the match proved Gareth Bale was prematurely asked to performance at a top level as he was substituted for Benzema in the 60th min. The Welshman did not play badly but still needs to learn the "mechanics" of the team & how to find spaces which are of value for his team, this will surely come with more games.
The first half was for FC Barcelona which was superior while Real Madrid was still observing & reluctant in their game. Barcelona with a grand Andres Iniesta was creating multiple opportunities & the first goal came from an Iniesta pass that found Neymar who scored in the 19th min. This put Real Madrid further on the back foot & with a reinforced defensive attitude allowed Barça to keep the initiative. But Real Madrid was not the some Real Madrid of past seasons to visit the "Nou Camp" & fought back to win the initiative & exploited the defensive weaknesses of Barça. The equalizer for Madrid nearly came in the last moments of the first half when Ronaldo crossed & Khedira had his knock-on stopped by Valdes, plus with a handball by defender Adriano which was not seen. This "incident" would be added later into the "controversial decisions bag" at the end of the match.
The second half saw a turnaround with Real Madrid dominating & putting against the ropes Barça. The defensive problems of Barça this season were put on show, & had not Victor Valdes intervened decisively we may have had a different final result. Added to the Real Madrid opportunities foiled by Victor Valdes is a "power driver" from Benzema that hit the bar. Then the talking point & the moment of the debate, a foul on a Cristiano Ronaldo runaway sprint with direction towards the Barça goal that was cancelled out by a Mascherano intervention. At first glance it looked penalty, on the replays it was a clear penalty that was not called & with a 1 - 0 scoreline in the 70th min this decision may have changed the course of the whole game.
Barcelona reacted & made some changes to halt their loss of dominance which included Alexis Sanchez on for Fabregas, & in the 78th min Alexis second the second with a superb chip over the Real Madrid goalie Lopez. Real Madrid did not fall apart & in a late counter-attack lead by Cristiano Ronaldo substitute Jese scored in the 89th min.
The match ended with victory to FC Barcelona, complaints from the Real Madrid players & history repeating itself in the sense that most "clasico" games end up with controversy. Barcelona did play well, Neymar had a clear chance stopped by goalie Diego Lopez & Barça did recover when worst they were playing. Barça will feel they deserved their hard earned victory which they are right, & Real Madrid perhaps feel a draw was just at least, which they too are right. The "revenge game" in Madrid next year.
Spanish Football Liga Round 10 started last night ( Friday ) with Madrid Club Rayo Vallecano hosting Valladolid. The final result was a victory to the visitors 0 - 3 which puts Rayo Vallecano back into its "season black hole". The goals for Valladolid came in the 30th min from Ebert, Javi Garcia in the 40th min & Larrson in the 48th min.
Malaga FC have entered into a dangerous losing streak that is worrying the Club. They were firmly beaten today by bottom table placed Club Celta de Vigo 0 - 5. The victory for Celta gives much needed oxygen to the Club & especially to their questioned Coach Luis Enrique. The goals came from:
- Alex Lopez 5th & 64th min
- A Fernandez 23rd min
- Nolito 73rd min
- Charles 81st min
Some long faces tonight on the Malaga bench & from their Directives.
Elche hosted Granada & suffered a 0 - 1 defeat. Both Clubs aren´t having the best season so far & a victory tonight was vital to both. Granada managed to get the three points thanks to the 26th min goal by Iturra. Elche from here onwards did not have the solutions to turn around the match or to at least find the equalizer. Granada was very serious all night & showed again that they are currently better away from home.
Levante returned back down to Earth RCD Espanyol in a very convincing manner winning 3 - 0. The match had its controversy with another decision by referee Muñiz that has caused a storm after he came back from being parted weeks for his last problematic match decision with Elche - Real Madrid. This time around Levante was given a penalty - that was not - in the 25th min that El Zhar converted as the opener. While Espanyol was foaming from the month in anger Levante got their second in the 27th min from Baba. Espanyol never recovered from the blow & Levante got their third in the 51st min from El Zhar.
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