Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Atlético Madrid 1-0 Espanyol: Diego Costa breaks the Espanyol resistance

Atlético Madrid were dominant for the majority of the first half, but frustrated by a stubbornly resolute Espanyol defence. Diego Costa broke the Espanyol back line early in the second half though, after a lovely ball from David Villa. The visitors tried to respond, but their most dangerous efforts were too little and too late.

Whilst Atlético Madrid came out full of vigour and looking to push themselves ahead with an early goal, visiting Espanyol weren’t going to make their lives easy at the Vicente Calderón.

Surviving wave after wave of Atlético moves, Espanyol managed to prevent a single shot on goal until the 15th minute, when a corner for the home side was met by the head of David Villa and saved by the secure hands of Casilla.

After more resistance to the attacking of Atlético, eventually Espanyol managed to force an effort of their own, after a 20th minute shot from Sergio García forced Courtois to make a good save. That remained a rarity for the visitors however, as they were quickly forced back into their own half once more. In the Filipe got forward well down the left flank and fired in a dangerous cross, with David Villa stretching for the header, but he couldn’t hit the target.

Some controversy in the 27th minute, as Espanyol full-back Fuentes made clear contact with Diego Costa inside the area, the last man and what looked like a penalty. The referee thought otherwise however and much to the frustrations of the Atlético players, waved play to continue.

In the final fifteen minutes of the half, Atlético continued to threaten, but without finding a way to break the stubborn defensive resistance from Espanyol. The visitors held firm until the interval and there were no goals to split the two sides.

Atlético continued to probe as the game resumed in the second-half, but again without fortune in the final third. In the 53rd minute, Simeone decided it was time for a change and on came Koke for José Sosa. Still the home side had the best of the play and eventually in the 55th minute, they got their reward. David Villa with an excellent ball over the top of the Espanyol defence, which Diego Costa burst through to collect, before firing comfortably past Casilla for the opening goal.

With their resistance now broken, Aguirre began to issue instructions from the bench and in the 62nd minute, made his first change with Córdoba on for Simao, switching to a 4-4-2 and two strikers, looking for a way back into the game.

Atlético had the next chance though, as Diego Costa burst through on goal in the 65th minute, with just the keeper to beat, but Casilla was out off his line quickly, forcing the striker to take his shot quickly and over the crossbar. At the other end, Espanyol found space to get a shot on goal with David López striking from the edge of the area, but now with enough power or direction to trouble Courtois.

As the 69th minute arrived, Simeone made his second Atlético change and this time on the other flank, as Diego Ribas replaced Arda Turan. Play was delayed for a few minutes after Courtois caught a blow to the face in the 74th minute, as Espanyol attacked and Alderweireld and Córdoba tussled for the ball, with the Belgian keeper bravely grabbing for the ball at their feet. He recovered though and was aware enough to save a good effort from David López in the 77th minute, as Espanyol attacked again.

David Villa left the pitch to an ovation from the appreciative Calderón crowd in the 80th minute, as Simeone made his final move from the bench, with Raúl García the replacement.

Into the final stretch of the game, the score was still too narrow for the liking of Atlético, but they seemingly couldn’t create any more danger. In the 85th minute, Aguirre made just his second change for Espanyol, with Álex on for Víctor Sánchez. The visitors then applied more pressure, seeking a late equaliser. Córdoba tried to catch out Courtois with a driven shot towards the near post in the 86th minute, but wide of the mark.

At the other end, Atlético managed to force a corner, after Raúl García attempted his first effort on goal, but blocked by Héctor Moreno. The home side couldn’t make the most of the set-piece opportunity and Espanyol made their final change, for what it was worth in the final moments of the game in the 89th minute, with Torje on for Pizzi.

Deep into added time, Sergio García fired over the crossbar, in what would prove to be the last effort Espanyol could muster. Atlético held out for the three points, keeping themselves very much in the title race.

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Malaga manager, Bernd Schuster was gutted following his side’s 0-1 loss to Real Madrid at La Rosaleda on Saturday evening, as he felt his side deserved a “happier ending” and were “at the same level” as Madrid.

Bernd SchusterIn his post-match press conference, Schuster praised his players but wished that the referee had given out cards equally to each team.

“We deserved a happier ending. We were at their level. We played a long game and we gave our all. In the attack, we lacked the final touch to score a goal, but we showed heart. We had to fight to overcome the quality of our opponents and fight until the end.

“The change in the team is physiological. In Valladolid, there was more tension and fear of losing and that slowed us down. Today, we had nothing to lose. We were able to take advantage of what we had. The players realised that that’s how it was. With Celta, Espanyol and Betis coming up, we have games of a different caliber and we need to improve ourselves.

“This is the Malaga we need to see until the end of the season. I noticed that there was a spark from the fans and we need to keep playing like this. It’s clear that if we just walk around it’s difficult.

“After we went down 0-1, we hung our heads for a bit, but then we got back into the game. The most important thing is that we didn’t concede the second goal even though we took risks. What we improved upon in the second half was the speed in which we touched the ball, because Madrid’s midfield isn’t that intense and they let us receive the ball.”

Schuster then gave his opinion on Pepe’s non-called foul on Duda, which left spike marks in his compatriot’s leg.

“It was too far from my position to see, but I would have liked that they called more fouls around the penalty area, either Iakovenko or Duda, because they called them in favour of Real Madrid. There are minor details. In the big picture, nothing happened. I don’t understand the card to Antunes. Xabi Alonso made a similar foul and nothing happened.”

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half goal stretched Real Madrid's unbeaten run to 30 matches as the La Liga leaders beat Malaga.

The Portuguese found space to shoot low into the net from inside the area as Real kept the pressure on their title rivals.

Carlo Ancelotti's men were not at their best but were rarely troubled by relegation-threatened Malaga.

Isco shot over for Real when through on goal in an uneventful second half.

The win keeps Real three points clear of city rivals Atletico Madrid, who beat Espanyol 1-0 later on Saturday.

Did you know?
Real Madrid are unbeaten in 17 consecutive league games.

Defending champions Barcelona are seven points behind Real but could reduce that deficit at home to Osasuna on Sunday.

Real have not been beaten since a 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp in October, a run stretching 30 matches in all competitions.

They entertain Schalke in the Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday, leading 6-1 from the first match.

After a quiet start, Ronaldo settled any nerves from the visitors with an impressive strike to take his goal tally in all competitions to 39 for the season.

The former Manchester United man wriggled his way past a couple of Malaga defenders before firing clinically into the net from inside the area.

He almost doubled Real's lead soon after, having a shot blocked by the outstretched leg of Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

Real did suffer a blow before the break as France striker Karim Benzema limped off injured and they struggled to find their usual attacking rhythm.

Former Malaga midfielder Isco should have doubled the lead after the break but he shot over after being put clear on goal.

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Atletico Madrid kept the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid as they maintained their unbeaten home league record with a win over Espanyol.

David Villa had a header saved as the hosts controlled the opening half without creating many chances.

But Spain international Diego Costa slotted in the opener after the break from Villa's pass.

Costa shot over the bar later on from a tight angle after rounding goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

Atletico have not won La Liga title since 1996, but Saturday's win keeps them just three points behind city rivals and league leaders Real Madrid with 10 matches remaining.

La Liga top scorers

25 goals: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

22: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

16: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)

15: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad)

Barcelona are four points further back in third ahead of their home match against Osasuna on Sunday.

Diego Simeone's Atletico are yet to lose at home in the league this season, scoring 44 goals in 15 matches.

They went into the match having reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1997 with a 5-1 aggregate victory over AC Milan on Tuesday, sealed by a 4-1 scoreline on the night.

Espanyol are one of only three teams to have beaten Atletico this season but they rarely looked capable of pulling off another shock result at the Vicente Calderon.

The home side struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages but were only denied an opener by goalkeeper Casilla, who parried Villa's glancing header wide.

Casilla then had to be alert to keep out Costa's header before the Brazilian-born Spain international had a good penalty claim turned down after a challenge by Espanyol defender Juan Fuentes.

Atletico dominated possession in the first half but struggled to break their resolute Catalan opponents down.

The second-half start in a similar fashion until Costa's 22nd league goal of the campaign came when he latched on to Villa's pass and calmly converted.

Espanyol substitute Jhon Cordoba almost levelled when he beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Toby Alderweireld to the ball, but the latter recovered to clear.

Courtois, who had suffered a heavy blow to the head, then blocked David Lopez's shot as Atletico hung on to a crucial victory.

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Messi becomes Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, adding to his incredible legacy

Lionel Messi keeps on smashing every record in his past and on Sunday night, as Barcelona celebrated an emphatic 7-0 victory against Osasuna, he bagged a hat-trick and made another mark in the history books – as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the club.

Lionel Messi wasn’t ever your typical goal-scorer. A skinny, small boy with a fluffy hair running down the right flank in his early Barcelona days left the Camp Nou crowd in awe, wondering how much he could do, but even when Messi scored his first ever blaugrana goal with a delightful chip from the edge of the box, it was hard to imagine him as a natural scorer. Not to mention, the Argentine was “one-footed”, rather weak in physical – especially aerial – battles, and seemed to prefer a pass to a shot.

Ten years from Messi’s debut, it’s hard to imagine what the world of football would look like if Messi wasn’t the goal-scoring machine he is. If it happens that the Argentine goes a match or two without a goal, the papers are crying about a decline, a drop in form, an end of an era. Messi is rumored to be unhappy, unfit, passionless even. Him scoring surely makes the news, but him not scoring is what really lifts the eyebrows.

On Sunday night Messi netted a hat-trick against Osasuna, climbing on top of Barcelona’s all-time scoring ranks with 371 goals in all competitions including friendlies. Just days earlier, he had become the player with most Champions League goals for a single club, surpassing Raúl. A week from now he will be facing Real Madrid with another record in sight: becoming the all-time top scorer of the El Clásico. And as easy as it might be to forget, the man turns only 27 in the summer.

If the goal-scoring records themselves aren’t impressive enough, it’s worth taking a look back in Messi’s career. Up until 2009 he regularly played on the right wing and nowhere else. It was only closer to 2010 when he started to slot into a false 9 role, in which he also spends a considerable amount of the time in the midfield or somewhere close to the touchline, near his “old position”. He’s still not your typical striker or the poacher type you’d expect the club’s leading scorer to be.

Thus, perhaps it was fitting that the record-breaking goal, the 370th that sent Messi one above Paulino Alcantara who once netted 369, was scored inside the box after a link-up play with teammate Andrés Iniesta, and with a shot from a space so small that even majority of the greatest players in the world would struggle to manage a shot, let alone a goal. It was scored with four Osasuna players surrounding Messi, from a situation where you’d gladly put your money on someone either dispossessing Messi or blocking the shot. But Messi found a way through for the 370th time, and the 371st was still to follow.

In what has been labelled as “Messi’s worst season”, the Argentine has now found the rhythm and the record-breaker seems to gain momentum at the best possible time, with El Clásico right around the corner and the decisive Champions League fixtures awaiting. The injury problems are an issue of the past and the recent performances against Manchester City and now Osasuna have put the speculation about his commitment to bed.

To only highlight that very point, Messi was assertive in his post-match comments. “My objective is to retire here at Barça. As long as people want, I will continue”, he said. And with his name adorning the history books, his performances lighting up the Camp Nou and his already enormous legacy setting the bar for all future generations, why wouldn’t they?

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Barcelona 7-0 Osasuna: Barca in seventh heaven ahead of El Clásico

Barcelona made easy work of Osasuna as they crushed them by seven goals to nil, with Leo Messi netting a hat trick ahead of their league encounter against Real Madrid.

Osasuna started the match well but you would have never known it from looking at the scoreboard, as goals from Messi, Sanchez and Iniesta put the home side 3-0 up by half time, before Messi added two more in the second half, with Tello and Pedro getting on the scoreboard as well.

From the bright way Osasuna started the match, you could have never predicted that they would be 3-0 down by the end of the first half, but that is exactly what happened.

Oriol Riera was a pain in Barcelona’s side for the first 20 minutes of the game, first in the 6th minute as he robbed the ball off Alba and forced Mascherano to come across and put out the danger by conceding a corner.

Soon after, Osasuna actually had the ball in the back of the net, but the referee correctly ruled the goal out for offside, which was a bit of a shame as it came as a result of a lovely team move between Armenteros, Cejudo and Riera.

There were several other half chances for Osasuna before Barcelona scored the opener, such as in the 14th minute when Cejudo’s volley from distance went high and wide.

However, a sudden burst of speed in Barcelona’s play in the 18th minute seemed to catch the Osasuna defense off guard, and the scrambling central defenders could do very little other than watch as a team move involving Pedro, Xavi and Alexis ended with Messi getting the final touch that sent the ball rolling into the back of the net.

The very next passage of play presented Barcelona with an opportunity to extend their lead, but Messi and Iniesta’s efforts in dancing around defenders were little more than pretty to watch as Alexis chipping over the crossbar meant that the move came to nothing.

Alexis, though, would remedy that in the 22nd minute as he was alert to turn in Alba’s cross. The fullback played a quick one two with Iniesta to cut out a horde of defenders before playing in a perfect ball for Alexis to turn past Andres Fernandez in goal.

Any trace of Osasuna’s bright start was nowhere to be seen, as they struggled to get anything going by way of attack, with their most promising move being a hopeful long shot from Loe which was kept on target.

Iniesta would be the next player to get on the score sheet with by far the most outstanding goal of the night. The midfielder, so often a provider of goals, turned scorer on this occasion as he rifled in a shot from outside the box that zoomed straight into the back of the net for 3-0.

Alves attempted to emulate Iniesta’s effort in the 37th minute but his attempt from distance was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper. Andres Fernandez was in action once more to prevent Xavi from extending Barcelona’s advantage with a volley that the midfielder kept on target.

Just before half time, Osasuna managed to get into Barcelona’s box by way of Oriol Riera, but the Osasuna player’s ball across the face of goal only found Mascherano, who promptly got rid of it.

Osasuna generated a few more chances in the second half, particularly at the beginning, but due to the fact that they already found themselves three goals behind, there was not very much menace associated with them.

Oriol Riera had a brilliant opportunity in the 53rd, receiving the ball in front of goal with only Valdes to beat but spurned it wide of the post.

Iniesta could have quite easily netted a second goal had Andres Fernandez not been on hand to dive on the midfielder’s attempt after Alba picked him out with a cutback.

Mascherano gifted Osasuna a free kick and earned himself a yellow card by bringing down Cejudo near his box, and the free kick, although it eventually ended up going out for a goal kick, seemed to trouble Barcelona’s backline more than it should have.

Barcelona were 4-0 up by the 63rd minute through Messi as the Argentine exchanged passes with Iniesta and then found space when there was none, carving out a shot from a tight angle that flew past Andres Fernandez.

Messi had several chances to complete his hat trick after that, first being slightly too slow to get on the end of Pedro’s ball in the 68th minute, and then somehow chipping over the crossbar in the 70th minute despite having only the goalkeeper to beat.

It would be Tello who scored next having been on the pitch for only a few seconds, as he tossed up a goal that rivaled or even surpassed the quality of Iniesta’s, with a curling shot from outside the box that nestled in the back of the net for 5-0.

That did not mean that Messi would not eventually find his hat trick, as in the 88th minute, Alves raced in behind defense and set things up beautifully with an angled pass in the box for Messi to slot home.

During injury time, Pedro, who had played a fantastic but understated match all night found himself turning in Messi’s pass for 7-0 after Alves and the Argentine had worked their way into Osasuna’s area.

Barcelona would have been pleased with this easy win as they face Real Madrid in the Bernabeu in what looks to be a must-win match for them next weekend, while Osasuna will hope to move on from this result and put on a better showing against Sevilla in Pamplona in a week’s time.

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Leo Messi equals Paulino Alcántara’s record as the highest goalscorer in Barcelona history

Barcelona forward, Leo Messi scored the opening goal in his side’s Sunday evening La Liga contest against Osasuna, putting the Argentine’s name firmly in the Blaugrana record books yet again, equaling Paulino Alcántara’s record as the highest goalscorer in Barcelona history with 369 goals in all competitions.

Paulino has held Barcelona’s scoring record for over 87 years, scoring 369 goals in 357 official and friendly matches.

Alcántara made his debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 and remains the youngest player to play or score for the club and the first Asian and Filipino to play for a European club.

Upon retiring in 1927 at the age of 31, become a medical physician, while also managing the national teams of Catalunya, Spain and the Philippines.

Messi made his debut at a similar age and despite being one of the most prolific scorers in European football history, it still took the diminutive Argentine 95 more appearances to equal Paulino’s long-standing record.

However, the record will soon be broken by Messi, who as just 26 years of age, will continue scoring for many years to come and in all likelihood, hold the record for another 100 years.

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

We need to know, dream and think all the time about competing to stay alive

Real Valladolid manager, Juan Ignacio Martinez couldn’t find the words to justify his side’s 4-1 loss to Sevilla on Sunday evening, just a week after beating Barcelona 1-0 at home and stressed that his team needs to dig deep and put all their focus on staying in the Primera.



In his post-match press conference, JIM spoke about the loss and the future of his team.

“I don’t want to look for any justification. We need to know, dream and think at all times that we need to compete and compete for survival, if not, things will be very difficult. We had a brilliant match against Barca and the entire week I insisted that we can’t continue making the same mistakes as before.

“We paid dearly for our mistakes and even more so against a Sevilla side that came limping into the match and will see the same opponents as we’ll have to face.

“I can’t petition against the second penalty because today there were very quick decisions and we had the best referee in Spain.

“The praise from the Barca game weakened us, but that’s not take away from the great game Sevilla played.”

JIM concluded expressing his disappointment in the way his team performed.

“We had a lot more to give than we did today at the Sanchez Pizjuan. In the beginning we tried to strengthen the midfield to cut off the Sevilla attack. When Rossi came off and they scored on the countre, the players spread out and Sevilla were more relaxed in the spaces left open, hence the one-sided result and the goals they scored.”

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Martino: What happened today doesn’t raise questions about my starting XI at the Bernabeu

Barcelona manager, Tata Martino was satisfied with his side’s 7-0 rout of Osasuna on Sunday evening at the Camp Nou and with Neymar and Cesc Fabregas on the bench and Pedro putting on a display, the Argentine boss states that he has his starting for next weekend’s El Clasico against Real Madrid almost decided.

In his post-match press conference, Martino spoke about the win, but most of the questions were already about next weekend’s ‘El Clasico’, which could shake things up at the top of the table.

“What happened today doesn’t raise questions about who I will pick for the Bernabeu, today’s performance doesn’t change who I think should play there. I’m always thinking about who I will have in the line-up, independent of today’s results. I’ve almost decided the line-up already.

“We’ve given a lot of material for people to talk about this week…Having a good performance ahead of the match at the Bernabeu helps, but we can’t forget to prepare well. It’s not easy to score seven goals but it won’t change people from saying that we’re a disaster and blowing everything out of proportion. This is a squad full of stars and we often times have to leave someone out. I can’t leave them out just because of the last match. It’s not easy to manage because they are very good player, not through any fault of their own. The last game doesn’t change much.

“Whenever the team is feeling good and has a game like this, it’s welcomed. Especially at a crucial time like this. There is clarity and yet, against a scheme like Real Sociedad, which is the same as Osasuna’s, we couldn’t find any answers.

“We’ve played many complete 90 minute games, but we are erratic from game to game. The game against City was complete but that usually doesn’t carry over to other games. So the league gap is four points. We are in good position in the league table. We should be in a better place. As long as there’s three or four points difference, we can’t give up on the league. We will fight for as long as we can.

“Changing the mindset? I don’t see how you can do that in six days. What we need to do is get in a good rhythm to have more options on all fronts.

“The last two games have been good. Before the match against City, we were a little worse for the wear because the opponent was in top form and it ended 4-1. It was the most complicated match of the knockout rounds. Against Osasuna we did well too. Now we have a chance to close the gap.”

Martino went on to praise Leo Messi, Pedro and Andres Iniesta before explaining why he left Neymar on the bench.

“Pedro and Alexis sum up everything a manager wants in a complete footballer. I put the two side by side. They have many attributes, a lot of pride, and always strive to be a good soldier. It’s very difficult for me to decide between the two.

“Iniesta’s performance was at a very high level.

“I have no more words left for Messi. If he keeps playing matches like this, he’ll continue to break records.

“Neymar had significant wear from the match against City. We planned on if it was not necessary for him to play today, he wouldn’t. I’ll take the criticism for lack of consistency. It just seemed wiser to give consistency to Alexis and Pedro.”

Re: Jornada 28- Primera division

Sevilla 4-1 Real Valladolid: Sevilla bounce back in style

Sevilla produced a display of the highest quality and thrashed Real Valladolid at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, securing a crucial three points that keeps them well in the hunt for a return to Europe next season.

Sevilla 4-1 Real Valladolid

Though Sevilla were dominant in the opening moments, it was Real Valladolid who had the first real chance of the game, following a corner in the fourth minute, but as the ball was flighted into the area, Mitrovic couldn’t get his header on target.

Despite that early warning though, Sevilla seemed to have a firm control on proceedings., but without really threatening the Valladolid goal until the 14th minute. Diego with a stinging shot that Mariño did well to deal with. More pressure came and after a corner, Iborra came close in the 17th minute, but over the crossbar with his header.

Valladolid were well and truly pegged back in their half and in the 22nd minute, disaster for Sastre as he brought down Marin just inside his own area and with absolutely no doubts, the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Rakitic to smoothly fire Sevilla into the lead.

The visitors tried to show a response, but they couldn’t make anything count in the final third, wasting good counters with a poor last touch or cross. As the game passed the half-hour, it was pretty much all one-way traffic from the home side. Marin and Reyes came close, then Reyes turned provider in the 39th minute, with a fantastic pass for Rakitic to strike on the volley, but agonisingly off the mark after what had been a lovely move.

Sevilla didn’t have to wait long to deservedly double their lead though, as Marín was once more in the thick of the creative action, threading a perfect ball through for Gameiro, who didn’t waste the opportunity to finish with aplomb in the 41st minute.

In the final moments of the half, Valladolid were unlucky not to have a goal back, after a Rama shot was tipped onto the post by Beto. Then at the other end, Gameiro fed the ball to Marin for Sevilla, but he fired over. Before the half drew to a close, Valladolid made a change as Rossi left the pitch ahead of his team-mates, replaced by Óscar.

Another change was made by JIM at the interval and as the teams came out for the second-half, Valladolid now had Larsson on for Manucho. Whatever had been said at the break, there was more bite from the visitors as play resumed and twice they stole the ball from the Sevilla midfielders, with Óscar almost punishing the home side, but firing wide in the 48th minute.

Normal service soon resumed for Sevilla though, paying attention to the warnings offered by their rivals and in the 53rd minute, a lovely move resulted in Gameiro lashing a shot that seemed destined to go in, only for Mariño to make an excellent save.

Marin and Rakitic were in majestic form as Sevilla continued to pressure and the fans were constantly applauding the ingenuity of their passing. Valladolid were now struggling badly, but just about managing to resist leaking any more goals.

In the 63rd minute, Valladolid made their final change, as Omar replaced Rama. A brief moment of hope then as Guerra went on a solo run, before threading the ball for Óscar to strike, but without the finish to match the move. To rub salt into their wounds, in the 65th minute, Mitrovic was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his area, seemingly a bad call by the referee, but he pointed to the spot nonetheless. Gameiro didn’t waste to bag his second goal of the game, straight down the middle of the goal and his side were now cruising.

With the game well under control, Emery made a double substitution in the 71st minute, with Marin and Gameiro leaving the pitch to an ovation from the Sevilla faithful, replaced by Coke and Bacca. Frantic action soon followed and in the 74th minute, Reyes sent over a fantastic diagonal ball that Diogo was forward well to reach, smashing home the fourth for Sevilla.

Very much a comprehensive lead for the home side, Valladolid managed to pull one back in the 76th minute. Reyes losing the ball in the front of his own area, with Guerra unforgiving, smashing it into the back of the net. That was swiftly followed by the final Sevilla change, with M’Bia on for Iborra in midfield.

Restoring a little of their dignity, Valladolid enjoyed a good spell of play in the final ten minutes, but couldn’t find any more consolation goals. The dominance of Sevilla had never been in doubt throughout the game though, with a richly deserved three points, their reward for an excellent display.

Hostia, Beñat, cómo se ha puesto!