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La Liga action round-up - Week 9 - November 7/8, 2009
Wednesday 11 November 2009
This Primera Liga week featured the highly-anticipated Madrid derby, as Real Madrid travelled to the Vicente Calderón to take on a struggling Atlético side. Kaká showed the hosts no sympathy as he put Los Blancos ahead inside five minutes with a perfectly placed 20-yard strike, before Brazilian left-back Marcelo compounded the home side’s woes when he unleashed a fierce shot to beat Sergio Asenjo from a seemingly impossible angle. Real carried the greater threat and Karim Benzema forced a fine save from the under-fire Asenjo. Portuguese midfielder Simão wasted his side’s only notable chance of the first period, opting to shoot rather than pass to the well-placed Diego Forlán having broken free of the Real defence just before the interval.
The visitors extended their lead on 64 when the in-form Gonzalo Higuaín capitalized on poor defending by Luis Perea to tackle the stricken centre-back and slot the ball past Asenjo. From the restart, however, Atlético were handed a lifeline, as Sergio Ramos tangled with Sergio Agüero, who was clear on goal, to earn his ninth red card in just four seasons at Real. The home side sparked into life and Forlan reduced the deficit when he latched onto a Tomáš Ujfaluši cross in the 79th minute. Moments later, Cléber Santana played the ball through to Agüero, who shrugged off the challenge of Pepe and fired a low shot past Iker Casillas. The comeback began to look possible, but the ten men of Real Madrid held off their opponent’s advances to record a coveted victory over their bitter rivals. Real maintain pressure at the top of the table, while Atlético continue to toil in the relegation zone.
In the weekend’s other big fixture, Sevilla played host to Villarreal, who had finally found their form after a catastrophic start to the season. Luís Fabiano put the home side ahead after just six minutes, showcasing wonderful skill to bring the ball under control before calmly slotting past Diego López. Villarreal fought back and drew level when Robert Pirès capped off a fine, passing move with a ferocious volley. The visitors then took the lead after the interval when Spanish striker David Fuster was first to react to a rebounded shot, but Sevilla pressed and dominated the final half hour and were rewarded when they retook the lead courtesy of two headers within five minutes from Fabiano and Freddie Kanouté. The visitors sought a reply but were defeated 3-2 despite a spirited performance.
League leaders Barcelona were subject to less drama than their rivals, but still entertained the 96,000-strong crowd inside the Camp Nou as they faced Mallorca. Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned on the style as he back-heeled the ball into the path of Pedro, who displayed his ever-growing talent with a cool finish inside10 minutes. Mallorca equalised when Nunes converted a corner, but Pedro doubled his tally and restored his side’s lead, finally slamming the ball home from close range after three fine saves from David Aouate. Thierry Henry then extended the champions’ lead moments before the interval, heading home to score his first goal in six months. Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a penalty in the second half, and despite a response from Alhassane Keita, the champions completed the somewhat routine win to remain one point clear at the top.
Valencia maintained fourth position as they staged a convincing win over Zaragoza at the Estadio Mestalla. Three well-worked goals from Juan Mata, David Villa and Pablo gave the home side an unassailable lead at half-time. Abel Aguilar scored a consolation for Zaragoza in the 65th minute, but the result was never in doubt and the highlight of a mundane second half was the appearance of Zaragoza substitute Alex Sanchez, the first ever one-handed player in La Liga. Elsewhere in the league, Deportivo La Coruña continued in their impressive form with a 2-0 away win at Getafe. Mista and Filipe were on target for the visitors, who remain in fifth spot having lost just once in their previous seven fixtures.
At the foot of the table, four of the five bottom clubs faced off as Valladolid hosted Xerez and Tenerife welcomed bottom club Málaga. Both matches ended in draws, as Valladolid and Xerez failed to muster a goal between them, while Málaga staged a spirited comeback to draw 2-2 with Tenerife. Athletic Bilbao completed their second consecutive win as they beat a struggling Racing Santander side 2-0. Carlos Gurpegi put Bilbao ahead in the first half before Andoni Iraola secured the points with a penalty in the 77th minute. Almería and Sporting Gijón were victors with their home ties with Osasuna and Espanyol respectively, with the latter now lying in seventh place.
Full Results
Saturday November 7, 2009
Atlético Madrid 2-3 Real Madrid
Barcelona 4-2 RCD Mallorca
Tenerife 2-2 Málaga
Getafe 0-2 Deportivo La Coruña
Sunday November 8, 2009
Sevilla 3-2 Villarreal
Valencia 3-1 Real Zaragoza
Almería 2-0 Osasuna
Sporting Gijón 1-0 Espanyol
Valladolid 0-0 Xerez
Racing Santander 0-2 Athletic Bilbao
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
Week 7 - October 24/25, 2009
Week 8 - October 31/November 1, 2009
Week 9 - November 7/8, 2009
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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