The Friday night Liga game was between Valladolid & Levante, a game that ended in a 1 - 1 draw. Levante got themselves ahead in the 24th min through Victor & Valladolid managed their equalizer in the 51st min through Javi Guerra. The result had flavour of defeat for Valladolid which needed more the points & Club President post match said he could not guarantee the job of his Coach Juan Ignacio. Rough waters at Real Valladolid in the coming days.
Real Madrid hosted Elche & managed a relatively comfortable 3 - 0 win that puts them momentarily on top of the Spanish Liga table as FC Barcelona lost their encounter tonight. Cristiano Ronaldo did not play but will be back in Round 26 after serving a 3 week suspension. I personally think that Gareth Bale plays better without CR7 & today Bale scored a 35 mt blinder. At least Bale looks more free & without the pressure of staying on the right flank why Ronaldo takes on the responsabilities.
The Real Madrid goals came in the following order, starting with Illaramendi in the 34th min ( with deflection ), a 62nd min "power driver" from Gareth Bale & Isco in the 80th min after coming on mid second half.
Real Madrid looked good & this win should lift their confidence for the mid week Champions League match against German side Shalke 04.
Entertaining match between Celta de Vigo & Madrid Club Getafe. The 1 - 1 draw result gives some oxygen to Getafe & their Coach Luis Garcia which should facilitate a calm week ahead for the Club. It was Getafe that good ahead in the 19th min after Lafita scored a long range shot. Then Getafe went down to 10 men with a red card to Lisandro in the 52 nd min which was unfortunate & is an ongoing problem with Getafe in critical moments of their games. Celta grew & with the extra man took over the match & found the equalizer through Rafinha in the 59th min. Celta could have scored more but the post & missed chances foiled their attempts, while Getafe held on.
Surprise result at San Sebastian where Barça lost to the local team & lost the top spot of the Liga Ladder. Real Sociedad took "sweet revenge" over their Spanish Cup semi-final elimination winning tonight 3-1 FC Barcelona , that included a nervous Barça Coach Martino being sent off at half time. In fact the Barcelona press have not taken too long in criticising severally Coach Martino for his tactical set up, substitutions choices & the teams lack of tension.
All the contrary with Real Sociedad which was fired up & in form with goals coming from Elustondo in the 31st min, Griezmann in the 53rd min & Zurutuzu in the 58th min. The only goal from Barça was by Lionel Messi who scored in the 35th min.
All the contrary with Real Sociedad which was fired up & in form with goals coming from Elustondo in the 31st min, Griezmann in the 53rd min & Zurutuzu in the 58th min. The only goal from Barça was by Lionel Messi who scored in the 35th min.
Have the sensation that the coming week with be heated at Barcelona as they are not used to losing & the local press will have their field day. If Atletico de Madrid win tomorrow, they along with Real Madrid will open up a 3 point gap over Barça in the Liga title race.
Two teams in classification troubles Almeria & Malaga FC played out a 0 - 0 draw. The game had its intensity but both sides seemed more conscious about not losing than actually winning the game. A strange sensation that their classification worries halted the progress & sense of adventure of both teams & negatively influenced the spectators who paid their ticket & saw a draw.
Tomorrow Round 25 continues.
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