La Liga action round-up - Week 6 - October 17/18, 2009
Wednesday 21 October 2009
The big clash of the week took place at the Estadio De Mestalla, where league leaders Barcelona met Valencia. The champions were looking to maintain their 100% start to the season but were without Theirry Henry after the Frenchman picked up an injury on international duty. Valencia too had injury problems and were dealt a huge blow when star striker David Villa failed a late fitness test. Juan Mata started up front for the home side, while the visitors opted for a strikeforce of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and the ever-promising youngster Pedro.
Valencia were much the better side in the first half, probing and causing problems for the shaky Barca defence. Pablo had a chance to put his side ahead after just two minutes when he broke free to face Víctor Valdés one-on-one, but the winger scuffed his shot and was denied by the legs of the Spanish goalkeeper. The visitors had little in reply and the first half passed without incident, the sides level at the interval. The second half produced even fewer chances as the two teams continued to cancel each other out, and the match finished goalless. In truth, both sides struggled against such organized opposition and lacked the quality finishing that Villa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - who was left on the bench by Pep Guardiola - would have afforded them. Barcelona remain at the top of the table while Valencia lie sixth.
Real Madrid closed the gap at the top with a 4-2 win over Valladolid at the Bernabéu. Club Captain Raúl was honoured before the match, having surpassed Manuel Sanchís as the club’s all-time record appearance maker. The striker, playing in his 711th game for Los Blancos, celebrated in style as he struck twice in quick succession to put Madrid two ahead within 18 minutes. The visitors pulled a goal back when winger Nauzet curled a superb free-kick past Iker Casillas in the 29th minute, but Marcelo restored Madrid’s two-goal cushion with a stunning solo effort just before half-time. Valladolid briefly rallied and were back within one goal when some clever play by Diego Costa allowed Marquitos to get in behind Pepe and Raúl Albiol, but the home side never looked in trouble and Gonzalo Higuaín came off the bench to score an exquisite lob and secure the points for Madrid. They are now just one point behind leaders Barcelona.
Osasuna staged the biggest upset of the week as they humiliated Atlético Madrid at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra. The hosts were 3-0 ahead within half an hour courtesy of a brace from Walter Pandiani and a goal from Carlos Aranda. The visitors pushed in the second half but goalkeeper Ricardo was in fine form for the home side and they maintained their three goal advantage. The win catapults Osasuna into the top half of the table while Atlético continue to struggle, having taken just six points from the campaign. They now face a tough trip to Stamford Bridge to play a Chelsea side looking to prove a point after a frustrating loss at Villa Park on Saturday.
The two bottom sides faced off against each other as Villareal travelled to Xerez. Robert Pirès finished off a fine, passing move to put the visitors ahead in the 18th minute, but Xerez dug deep and produced an impressive display to overturn the deficit. Mario Bermejo equalized with a header in the 43rd minute, before substitute Antoñito capitalized on a defensive mix-up and lobbed the ball over a stranded Diego López. The win sees Xerez climb above the Yellow Submarine, who are now well and truly sunk at the bottom of the table.
Sevilla lost ground to their rivals as they were beaten 1-0 by Deportivo La Coruña. Juan Rodríguez was on target for Deportivo, who now lie in fourth place, equal on points with Sevilla and just four behind league leaders Barcelona. Athletic Bilbao also succumbed to defeat, as they were beaten at home by a spirited Sporting Gijón side. Miguel De Las Cuevas was on form with two superb strikes and, despite a reply from Gaizka Toquero in the dying minutes, the visitors went on to complete a deserved 2-1 victory, their first away from home this season. Bilbao, having started so promisingly, have slipped to 10th place after taking just one point from the last 12 available.
In the week’s other fixtures, Mallorca continued their impressive run of form with a 3-1 win over Getafe while Espanyol join them in the top eight after a 2-1 victory against Tenerife at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat. Almería beat Málaga by the same margin, while two goals in the last ten minutes saved a point for Racing Santander, who came from behind to draw 2-2 with Real Zaragoza.
Full Results
Saturday October 17, 2009
Deportivo La Coruña 1-0 Sevilla
Real Madrid 4-2 Valldolid
Valencia 0-0 Barcelona
Sunday October 18, 2009
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Sporting Gijón
Espanyol 2-1 Tenerife
Málaga 1-2 Almería
Mallorca 3-1 Getafe
Osasuna 3-0 Atlético Madrid
Xerez 2-1 Villarreal
Zaragoza 2-2 Racing Santander
La Liga action round-ups
Week 1 - August 29/30/31, 2009
Week 2 - September 12/13, 2009
Week 3 - September 19/20, 2009
Week 4 - September 22-27, 2009
Week 5 - October 3/4, 2009
Week 6 - October 17/18, 2009
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