(1-0) 25' Higuain, (2-0) 78' Cristiano Ronaldo
On a weekend in which races for the title were blown wide open across Europe, La Liga followed suit as Real Madrid dispatched a disappointing Valencia with ease at the Santiago Bernabeu. Were it not for yet another spectacular performance from Cesar Sanchez in the Valencia goal it could well have been a rout, as Madrid dominated. Guti and Xabi Alonso were sensational throughout, with Guti setting up the first and providing plenty more incisive passes that could have lead to several more were it not for some wasteful finishing and acrobatic goalkeeping. The veteran midfielder turned back the years in the 25th minute; winning the ball off Bruno out wide and threading an inch-perfect pass through to Higuain who spun beautifully from his marker and finished clinically past Cesar. Apart from when Juan Mata struck the post, Valencia hardly created a chance of note, with Villa, Silva, Mata and Pablo Hernandez all enduring a frustrating evening. How a team with such an array of attacking talent can fail to trouble Casillas will surely be playing on Unai Emerys mind as he begins to plot his teams assault on next seasons Champions League.
If the first goal was all about Guti, the second had Marcelo written all over it. He may be derided in some quarters for his defensive failings, but as an attacking force the Brazilian is lethal. He skipped past Bruno as if the defender didnt exist and squared for Cristiano Ronaldo to complete the formalities from close to the penalty spot. Those who thought La Liga was done and dusted as the Barca players rejoiced in the Bernabeu centre circle 7 days ago, can think again. One point in it.
Xerez 2 - 2 Racing Santander
(1-0) 6' Orellana, (1-1) 43' Tchite, (1-2) 57' Tchite (p), (2-2) 72' Victor Sanchez
If Xerez do finally get relegated to La Segunda, they can look back to the second half of this season with pride. They way they have performed since Nestor Gorosito took over has been nothing short of inspirational, with Momo, Victor Sanchez, Fabian Orellana and Sidi Ketia the stars of the show. But for the second week running, they failed to get the three points their flowing football and improved concentration at the back deserved. The Xerez goals were a joy to behold, but both Racing Santander goals were avoidable. Two slips opening the path for Tchites first, whilst the second was a horrendous error from the ref as he penalised Victor Sanchez for a non-existant trip. When you are a club the size of Xerez, favours from the refs are few and far between. Even so, the striker from Burundi must be commended for his haul of four goals in two matches after a barren spell that had lasted just under a year. So the trapdoor creeps ever closer for La Ligas bottom side, but as long as it is still mathematically possible for them to stay up, you can be sure Gorosito and his men won't throw in the towel. Next week Barca at the Camp Nou.
Tenerife 3 - 2 Getafe
(0-1) 10' Pedro Leon, (1-1) 30' Nino, (2-1) 69' Nino, (2-2) 75' Casquero, (3-2) 76' Nino
Deportivo La Coruña 0 - 0 Almeria
Athletic Bilbao 0 - 0 Real Zaragoza
Malaga 0 - 0 Real Valladolid
The question must be asked, do you think Real can do it???
ReplyDeleteThe League is still in Barca's hands. I think Barca will win all their home matches but they have two tricky away matches. If I were a betting man I would put my money on Barca but with Real only needing Barca to draw then it's all to play for.
ReplyDeleteSoccer power I really hope that Real dont win it. Its not because I am an Atleti fan its just I hate the way they try to buy success.
ReplyDeleteSoccerPower: It's certainly possible, especially when you look at the places Barca still have to visit, inbetween Champions League matches. Sevilla and Villarreal away wont be easy. That said, I have a funny feeling Zaragoza will get something against Madrid next weekend, and then a trip to Mallorca which has been a fortress for the islanders this year. Like Jamie, I'd still put my money on Barca though.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Gary. I would prefer to see Barca win the league for the simple fact that they have shown against Madrid who is really the best in Spain in the two Clasicos. That said, Madrid fans will rightly point to the fact that a league is won or lost over 38 matches, not over two clasicos. Makes for fascinating viewing over the next few weeks.