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La Liga action round-up - Week 10 - November 21/22, 2009
Wednesday 25 November 2009
The fixture of the week took place at San Mames where Athletic Bilbao played host to league-leaders Barcelona. A depleted Barca side dominated the first half and should have been ahead when Lionel Messi broke through the Bilbao defence, but his shot was saved by the feet of Gorka Iraizoz. Messi then turned provider as he rounded Iraizoz and crossed the ball to the back post, only to see Xavi shoot high and wide. It was the home side, however, who spurned the best opportunity of the half. With the interval looming, Yeste picked out a perfect ball to Javi Martínez, but the Spaniard headed wide from just five yards out.
The visitors started brightly in the second half and went ahead after 53 minutes when Xavi rolled a sumptuous pass into the path of Dani Alves, who made no mistake from 12 yards out. Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros responded by sending on striker Gaizka Toquero for Pablo Orbaiz, and was rewarded for his bravery when the substitute was quickest to react to a Fernando Llorente header to slam the ball past Victor Valdes. The home side seemed content with a point, and the match ran its course with little drama.
While their rivals struggled, Real Madrid moved to the top of the table with a win, albeit a labored one, over Racing Santander at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match was a tepid encounter, but Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to stick with the in-form Gonzalo Higuaín was vindicated when the Argentine striker scored the only goal of the match, turning in a Kaka header from close range on 22. Los Blancos controlled the game but were fortunate not to be pegged back when Luis García found Sergio Canales with a clever back-heel, who fired the ball past Iker Casillas. The youngster wheeled away in celebration only to be greeted by an offside flag, although replays show it was his teammate who was beyond the defensive line. Racing coach Miguel Ángel Portugal, in charge for his first match, bemoaned the decision, but his side deserved little from the game after a poor showing. Madrid now sit at the summit of the table, one point clear of Barcelona.
Valencia showcased another fine, attacking performance as they beat Osasuna 3-1 at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra. Los Che were ahead after 12 minutes when David Villa latched on to a pinpoint ball from Carlos Marchena before scissor-kicking the ball into the bottom corner. David Albelda then produced a moment of magic to double the lead, spotting Ricardo off his line and lobbing the ball over the stranded keeper from 30 yards out. The visitors dominated the second half and were three ahead and out of sight after Marchena drilled a ferocious half-volley against the underside of the bar from 25 yards out. Walter Pandiani was then dismissed for Osasuna for a second bookable offence and, despite a consolation goal from Masoud, Valencia completed a comfortable win that sees them remain in fourth spot.
Sevilla also won away from home to keep the pressure on the league’s top two after overcoming Tenerife 2-1. Diego Perotti put the visitors ahead after a fast break, and Brazilian Renato doubled his side’s advantage shortly after the interval with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box. The home side briefly flirted with the notion of a comeback when striker Nino scored a low volley past Javier Varas on 75, but the struggling hosts failed to mount a significant challenge and the match finished 2-1. Sevilla are now just two points behind Barcelona and three behind league leaders Real Madrid.
Elsewhere in La Liga, there were mixed fortunes for Villarreal and Atlético Madrid. The former continued their recovery with an impressive 3-1 win over Valladolid at El Madrigal, while the struggling Atlético were cruelly defeated after succumbing to a penalty in stoppage time against Deportivo La Coruña. Sergio Agüero put Los Indios ahead in the third minute, but they again failed to control the game and were subsequently punished. They remain in the relegation zone, while Deportivo maintain fifth spot.
Mallorca are in sixth position after a routine 3-1 win over Almería, followed by Sporting Gijón, who are seventh after being held to a goalless draw at Xerex. Málaga are still the league’s bottom club after drawing 1-1 with Real Zaragoza at the Estadio La Rosaleda, while Getafe completed an impressive 2-0 away win at Espanyol to move into the top half of the table.
Full Results
Saturday November 21, 2009
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona
Deportivo La Coruña 2-1 Atlético Madrid
Real Madrid 1-0 Racing Santander
Tenerife 1-2 Sevilla
Sunday November 22, 2009
Espanyol 0-2 Getafe
Málaga 1-1 Real Zaragoza
Mallorca 3-1 Almería
Osasuna 1-3 Valencia
Villarreal 3-1 Valladolid
Xerez 0-0 Sporting Gijón
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
Week 10 - November 21/22, 2009
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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