Re: Jornada 27 - Primera División

Espanyol 3-1 Elche:

Espanyol’s attacking quartet take calamitous Elche defence to the sword

Going into this game, 13th placed Elche would have been fearing the worst. Their last 17 trips to the Cornelia El Prat had seen them accumulate only one win amongst 5 draws and 11 losses. Only three points off the drop, Elche would have been hoping to leave Catalunya with a win. Espanyol, on the other hand, found themselves on a good run of form which put them as dark horses for a Europa League spot. A win and they would leapfrog Valencia into 9th place.

In the 2nd minute, Espanyol opened the scoring. A superb corner from set-piece specialist, Simao, found David Lopez in the box who, in front of the home fans, scored with a glancing header at the far post.

30 seconds later and Espanyol would be firing at Elche’s goal. Simao, pulling the strings once again, found Sergio Garcia with a reverse through ball. Garcia’s shot would be saved by Herrera, but parried into Pizzi’s path. With the goal at his mercy, Pizzi hit the ball off the side-netting and messed up a chance to put his team 2-0 up in as many minutes.

Espanyol’s relentless attacking would not end there. In the 8th minute, they would have yet another chance. Sergi Garcia, splitting Elche’s defence with a sublime pass, found Stuani who stormed forward with the ball and attempted to poke it past Herrera. Elche’s goalkeeper stretched out and saved the aforementioned poked shot with his leg.

The 21st minute saw Espanyol double their lead. Pizzi’s footwork won the home side a free-kick which Simao crossed in and Colotto applied the finish with a first-time side-footed effort. Set-pieces, one of Elche’s biggest defensive problems this season, would again be their downfall in the game.

The game slowed down significantly after Espanyol’s second goal, which was to be expected. Elche fought for the ball but, in possession, they struggled to do much with the ball. Espanyol were happy to stroke the ball around and wait until the half-time whistle.

The referee drew an end to a half which was entirely dominated by Espanyol in front of their fans. Espanyol’s attacking quartet of Stuani, Pizzi, Simao and Garcia were unplayable and almost impossible to mark as they roamed and swapped positions which, ultimately, lead to their complete dominance in the final third.

Elche came out in the second half all guns blazing. Only two minutes into the second half and they had created their first real attack of the game; an attack which should have ended with a penalty for Elche. Coro, one-on-one with Casilla, was brought down by Moreno in the box. Despite protests, the referee let the game continue.

In the 57th minute, Espanyol would put the game to bed. Pizzi, who has struggled to fit into Aguirre’s system all season, dribbled past Lomban on the edge of the area and released a shot which deflected off Botia’s boot and deceived Manu Herrera. Pizzi’s performance all game, just behind Sergio Garcia, was impressive. If Aguirre was still looking for a place to fit the mercurial Portuguese winger into, then he found it in this game.

Elche’s best chance of the game came in the 69th minute when Sanchez, a good 30-yards out, unleashed a rocket of a shot which Casilla had to be at full stretch to stop. Espanyol’s hard-working performance, both on and off the ball, meant that Elche were completely restricted to long-range pot shots.

Espanyol, for the final 15 minutes, would regress into a counter-attacking game as they looked to take a breather. Elche enjoyed the majority of the possession but Espanyol still looked exceptionally dangerous when breaking on the counter.

In the 87th minute, Elche finally found a breakthrough but the goal was not even scored by one of their own. A teasing cross, across the face of goal, was turned in by Fuentes. An own-goal which denied his goalkeeper the chance to reach a career high of 9 clean-sheets in a league season. The goal did not evoke any sort of come back; it was a mere consolation.

The final whistle was met by jubilant reactions from the Espanyol fans as their club climbed up to 9th – only 7 points off a Europa League spot. Much like last season, Espanyol began to find a good patch of form in 2014. Elche, on the other hand, now found themselves in 14th place only three points off the relegation zone.

Re: Jornada 27 - Primera División

Real Madrid 3-0 Levante:

Cristiano and Marcelo put Madrid back on top

Real Madrid needed three points to go clear at the top of La Liga, but they needed to do it against a Levante side who have notoriously given them headaches.

Real Madrid came out with their strongest attacking line-up in their attempts to break Levante’s staunch defence.

Their strong line-up paid dividends early, as a pass by Angel Di Maria found Cristiano Ronaldo, who headed the ball in for the opening goal, just 10 minutes into the match.

Following the goal, Levante tightened up their back line, but it was goalkeeper Keylor Navas who kept the game from becoming 3-0 going into the half.

Due in large part to Navas’ performance, Levante held Real Madrid to a 1-0 lead going into the break, but all that was about to change as Navas was only able to hold off the strong Blancos attack for so long.

Just after half-time, Cristiano Ronaldo found left-back, Marcelo, who fired in his first goal of the season, the second of the evening.

Things would only get worse for Levante as defender David Navarro was given a straight red card for a hard challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving Levante short in position they couldn’t afford to be short in.

However, they held their own for the next 10 minutes, until the football gods would once again grace Real Madrid with good fortune.

Levante again continued to tighten up and park the bus, but it would be Marcelo who would continue to plague the Valencia side, as a shot in the 81st minute was deflected by Nikos, who attempted to clear the ball but ended up putting it in the back of his own net to end a rather disappointing night.

Re: Jornada 27 - Primera División

Escribà: The lack of attitude infected my team

Elche manager, Fran Escribà was incredibly disappointed by his team’s performance in their 3-1 loss to Espanyol on Sunday afternoon at Cornella and feels a lack of attitude and motivation were the cause of his team’s downfall.

Fran EscribáIn his post-match press conference, Escribà laid into his players and gave credit to Espanyol for taking advantage.

“I’ve never had to tell my team to give their all because they always do, but this time the team didn’t have that feeling.

“In the second part we tried to show another side of ourselves. The lack of attitude infected everyone and I’m the first to admit that I was wrong on many things. We’ll reach conclusions, many negative but some positive…

“Conceding a goal in the second minute said it all, I saw it and it went in. This conditioned the rest of the match and the game became something else entirely. In the first half, we were really bad. At the break, we thought that it was almost impossible to mount a comeback if we continue as we had in the first half.

“We fell behind the pace of the game. Espanyol are a very tight team at home. When we conceded the goal, it put the game right where they wanted it.”

Escribá went on to defend his decision to sub out Ruben Perez for Carlos Sanchez.

“If anyone thinks that with Ruben Perez we would’ve won, they’re very mistaken and don’t know Carlos Sanchez. With him, we would’ve lost just the same, I have no doubt.”

Re: Jornada 27 - Primera División

Menudo penaltito le pitaron ayer al bilbao en mestalla. Es increible. Por cierto el gol del valencia en claro fuera de juego.

Re: Jornada 27 - Primera División

Valencia 1-1 Athletic: Points shared as both sides hurt European chances

Valencia and Athletic Bilbao played out an exciting 1-1 draw at the Mestalla with Aduriz’s penalty crossing out Alcacer’s opening goal.

Despite starting off the stronger of the two sides, Athletic Bilbao found themselves trailing to a goal from Alcacer midway through the first half. A penalty decision afforded Aduriz the chance to level the scoreline in the 52nd minute, after which no further goals were scored and the game ended in a draw.

With a few technical issues delaying the commencement of the match, the Mestalla floodlights finally illuminated the stadium and the game was underway.

Aduriz wasted no time in causing the entire stadium to draw their breaths as he popped up in between the home side’s center backs in the very first minute of the match, but somehow managed to put the ball wide.

Keita was involved with some controversy early on in the match as he was carded for elbowing Mikel Rico in the neck, and appeared to be fortunate not to have been sent off.

Aduriz was afforded a chance to put things right after his earlier error as he was sent through by a lovely ball from Muniain. However, Matheiu produced a stunning tackle to put the ball out for a corner. Muniain managed to get a shot on target from the resulting set piece but it was a relatively easy stop for Alves to hold on to.

Athletic were having the better of matches, with both sides attacking but the visitors looking more dangerous. In the 18th minute, Ander Herrera whacked the ball off the post with Alves well beaten.

Valencia were not entirely sterile though, with the home side also generating some good chances themselves. Jonas was unlucky to be unable to locate a gap to squeeze the ball into the net in the 21st minute, and had to settle for a corner instead.

However, that corner would prove to be extremely valuable as it set things in motion for Valencia’s opener. Feghouli did a good job running in behind defense and sending a good low cross into the box, where both Fede and Alcacer were waiting, with the latter getting the touch that would ultimately put Valencia 1-0 ahead of their visitors.

From that point, the game had shifted, with Valencia now growing in confidence and producing quick passing sequences and good tackles to win back possession. They very nearly doubled their lead as Parejo surprised Iraizoz with a free kick that was on target from distance, forcing the goalkeeper to backtrack towards his line and tip it over.

Mikel Rico had a chance to put Athletic back on level terms in the 35th minute but Alves was quick to stop the ball from going in.

The 38th minute brought another chance for Valencia when Bernat expertly put Alcacer through on goal, but Laporte popped up with an unbelievable tackle to allow Iraizoz to grab the ball and extinguish the danger.

The second half started as the first finished, with Alcacer keeping Athletic’s defense on their toes as he pounced on a poor pass from Itturaspe near the box and sent off a swerving shot that had the concern of Iraizoz.

However, it would be Athletic who would score next as Feghouli was adjudged to have fouled Ander Herrera in the box and a very debatable penalty was awarded amidst Valencia’s protests. Aduriz stepped up and duly converted, nestling the penalty in the corner of the net while Alves remained rooted to the spot.

The match turned a little bit choppy at that point with players indulging in dives and protests occurring more often than would normally be expected.

In the 64th minute, Keita really should have put the home side back into the lead as Matheiu picked out his team mate on the right wing. Keita cut inside around Balenziaga brilliantly, but then watched his shot go agonizingly wide.

On the other end of the pitch, Muniain was afforded a similar chance, Herrera being the assist supplier on this occasion, but the Athletic player could not put the ball away with Iraizoz emerging victorious in this particular instance.

Iraiola gifted Valencia a free kick in a dangerous position on the left wing after he attempted a terrible tackle on Fede. The resulting free kick from Parejo was on target and forced Iraizoz to conceded a corner, from which a shot from Matheiu was blocked and an attempt from Fede sailed into the crowd behind the goal.

Alcacer had yet another good chance as he raced towards goal with Gurpegui on his tail in the 71st minute, but Iraizoz was alert to help out his teammate as he slid in to clear the ball away with his feet outside of the box.

The 81st minute afforded Valencia yet another opportunity to go ahead as Bernat picked out Vargas all alone at the top of the 18 yard box, but his strike rather than being threatening was rather tame and straight at Iraizoz.

A flurry of corners and crosses into the box were abound for both teams as the game drew to a close, but the goalkeepers were on point and claimed every ball that their defense did not hack clear. That was at least until the 89th minute when Vargas was indeed the player who rose highest on a Valencia corner, out jumping his marker but putting the ball wide of the goal and ensuring that neither side would walk away with more than a point.

Both teams will be away for their next league matches, with Valencia travelling to the Basque country to face Real Sociedad in the Anoeta, and Athletic Bilbao visiting Villarreal in El Madrigal in a week’s time.

Re: Jornada 27 - Primera División

Osasuna 0-2 Málaga: Less is more for Málaga at El Sadar

Málaga grabbed three priceless points at El Sadar, with less chances and eventually, a man less than Osasuna, who couldn’t find a way to get their shots past Willy Caballero.

Defending to do at El Sadar for Osasuna, as Málaga made the brighter start to the game, but couldn’t make their forward momentum count in the opening moments.

After some whistles from the home fans and an eventually managing to break forward in the 6th minute, Osasuna had the first clear chance as Roberto Torres got the beating of Angeleri, fired in a dangerous ball for Oriol Riera to reach well, but finish over the crossbar. In the following minute, two glorious chances in a matter of seconds for Osasuna, but Málaga keeper Willy saved a header from Damiá, then a shot from Cejudo.

The game opening up, play moving from end to end, the pace of the game remained high. In the 13th minute though, it was Málaga who took the lead. Ambrabat with good work down the left, a neat cross into the area and there was Samuel with the finish, just past the outstretched hand of Osasuna keper Andrés.

The opening goal seemed to inspire Málaga to even more effort, as they began to dominate, but couldn’t find another way through the home defence. When they did, with Duda trying his luck from distance in the 23rd minute, Andrés was there to tip away for a corner. When that broke down, Osasuna sprang forth rapidly and two more great chances for them in the 24th minute. Willy denying Roberto Torres with yet another great reaction save, then latching onto the rebound, Loties fired for goal, only to see his effort strike the post.

Half chances at both ends as the game passed the half-hour mark, as Osasuna tried to get more possession of the ball, whilst Amrabat continued causing problems down the left flank for Málaga.

Approaching the end of the half, Osasuna began to impose themselves more and Málaga had more defending to do, as Gámez and Darder collected needless yellow cards. Loties appeared again to collect a rebound from the Málaga defence in the 42nd minute, but fired off-target with his effort for Osasuna. In the final minute of the first period, Arribas got on the end of a ball into the area, but his header was stray of its intended target too.

Osasuna pushed forward as the second half began, keen to get themselves back on level terms. Cejudo managed to get his foot behind the ball well on the half-volley in the 50th minute, but couldn’t direct his effort on target. A moment later though and catching an opponent with the elbow, Gámez was trudging back to the locker rooms for an early shower, as the Málaga full-back collected a second yellow card.

Schuster didn’t wait long to shuffle his pack and sacrificed the more attack-minded Samuel, with Sergio Sánchez his replacement in the 54th minute. Just before the hour and with Osasuna still pressing, Willy kept Málaga in the lead after Flavio nearly turned a corner from their opponents, into the back of his own net. As the clock showed an hour played, the Málaga keeper was then booked for time-wasting, in absolutely no hurry to take a goal kick.

Osasuna still had the momentum as the game continued, but were lacking any cutting edge in the final third. By the 65th minute, manager Gracia decided to change to a more attacking shape, sending on Acuña for Oier, but just a moment later, his side were two goals down. Málaga broke forward with Amrabat, to Santa Cruz and back to Amrabat, who looked up and then lashed home the second for his team.

The second Málaga change then came in the 69th minute, as Schuster sent on Tissone for Darder and freshness in midfield. Osasuna still tried to get themselves back into the game. No closer to scoring though, in the 76th minute their second change of the game came, when Nino came on for Lolo.

With ten minutes left on the clock, a good ball found Cejudo free to strike viscously for goal, but there once again was Willy Caballero, down really well to deny Osasuna a way back into the game. Málaga made their final change in the 82nd minute, with Juanmi on to replace Amrabat, who had provided a magnificent display for his team.

Osasuna persisted, but their forays forward and pressure were more hopeful than decisive. Málaga had the game in their pocket and were comfortably resisting everything their opponents could offer. Even when Armenteros sent in a great ball in the final moment of stoppage time, Acuña couldn’t make the connection with the goal at his mercy.

Jubilant scenes from their players, as the final whistle blew and Schuster’s men had secured a priceless three points, at one of the toughest venues to visit. Meanwhile, a missed opportunity for Osasuna to push themselves a safer distance from the relegation zone. The bottom half of La Liga, remains as tight as ever and from 11th position down, everyone is still in the scrap for survival.

Re: Jornada 27 - Primera División

Real Sociedad 2-3 Rayo Vallecano:

La Real lead twice, but can’t stop Rayo revival

Real Sociedad took just one minute to open the scoring at Anoeta, but Rayo equalised from the spot in the 4th, in a frantic opening to the game. A second goal from the home side suggested everything was back in their favour, but a superb second half display and two more goals from Rayo, saw them claim a magnificent away victory.

A remarkable start to the game at Anoeta, Real Sociedad took a swift lead in the opening minute of the game. Pardo with a free-kick into the area and Íñigo Martínez rising well to flick in the header.

The home side couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin, but just moments later and at the other end of the pitch, Rayo Vallecano won a penalty after José Ángel caught Larrivey, just as he was shaping to shoot. Without hesitations, the referee pointed to the spot and in the 4th minute, Larrivey fired his team back on level terms.

With the game wide open and both teams looking to attack, there were half-chances the promise of more goals. Another free-kick provided Real Sociedad with their next clear opportunity in the 13th, but this time and although very close, Carlos Vela whizzed his effort just past the post.

End to end the game continued, as Chory Castro and Rochina fired chances wide that could have tipped the balance in either direction. Carlos Vela again then for Real Sociedad in the 22nd minute, but once more, just wide of the post. The next clear chance also fell for the home side in the 24th minute, but Elustondo on the volley, couldn’t find the beating of Rayo keeper Rubén.

Past the half hour, Rayo won a corner, but after it came to nothing, Real Sociedad swiftly broke forward on the counter as Chory Castro kept on running, before playing in a final ball for Carlos Vela, but the Mexican unable to control his shot properly.

Amidst the stronger attacking of Real Sociedad, a chance came for Rayo as Rochina tried to make the most of a slight gap, but it was too tight to get the accuracy he wanted for his shot in the 39th minute. That was followed by a good spell of pressure from the visitors, but without making the most and as can often be the case, you pay for missed opportunities. Right at the end of the half, Pardo picked up the ball in midfield, the Rayo defence were hesitant and as he approached the area, he lifted his head, struck for goal and fired Real Sociedad into the lead.

Out for the second half and Rayo didn’t need an invitation when it came to their attempts to get back into the game. In the 47th minute, they pressed forward and after a cross into the area was poorly dealt with by Zubikarai with his fists, the ball deflected off Larrivey and with a little luck for the visitors, fell at the feet of Bueno to grab the equaliser amidst the confusion.

Lifted at having levelled the game once more, in the 51st minute Rayo thought they had their third. Gálvez fired the ball into the area and Larrivey put it into the back of the net, but he was offside and the goal ruled out.

The game wide open once more and with no way to tell which way it was going to go, both sides continued to attack. After Elustondo headed into the hands of Real Sociedad though, Rayo were looking slightly the more dangerous when they got forward past the hour mark.

Arrasate was the first to make movements from the bench and in the 64th minute, Real Sociedad brought on Griezmann for Chory Castro. Rayo kept pushing forward though and in the 65th minute, Bueno struck well, only to be denied by Zubikarai. The pressure soon told though and in the 67th minute, Rayo had their third and the lead. Saúl chesting the ball to Rochina, a one-two with Bueno and back to Rochina, who dispatched an unstoppable shot past the Real Sociedad keeper. A beautifully crafted goal by the three Rayo players.

Real Sociedad had to make a reaction, they were sinking fast and Rayo were putting on a great second half show. In the 69th minute, Arrasate boldly made an attacking move, as Canales came on for Mikel González. That was soon followed by the first change by Jémez in the 73rd minute, as he brought on Lass for the tired legs of Falque.

Zaldua fired in a cross looking for the head of Agirretxe in the 75th minute, but though he found his mark, the striker couldn’t direct his header on-target for Real Sociedad. The home side were trying to turn the game back around though and in the 80th minute, Rayo made their second change of the night, as Viera replaced the man who had given them the edge, Rubén Rochina.

Real Sociedad pushed and pushed, but couldn’t find the cutting edge they needed inside the final stretch of the game. Neither the accuracy or the precision was there. The best example, a great opportunity with Carlos Vela receiving the ball inside the area in the 88th minute, but delaying and wasteful.

A final change for Rayo as the game headed into stoppage time, with Nacho on for Bueno and the clock ticking the seconds away. Real Sociedad couldn’t find a way through, despite their best effort and as the referee called time, Rayo had produced a memorable victory and claimed three priceless points.