Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Osasuna 0-0 Real Valladolid: A draw leaves both looking over their shoulders

Osasuna and Real Valladolid played out a game without goals, with the woodwork denying the best chances each side could produce, amidst few clear opportunities.

Osasuna were the dominant side in the opening stages and creating the first real chance of the game in the 9th minute. Cejudo trying a speculative shot from distance, that caught the Real Valladolid defence by surprise, kept flying and agonisingly, struck the woodwork.

A warning for the visitors, but they held tight as Osasuna retained possession of the ball for long spells of play, but without being able to find any penetration in the final third.

That’s how the game continued, with few openings for either side, until the next chance came for Osasuna in the 27th minute, as Roberto Torres fired in a cross that Oriol Riera struck first time, but just wide of the mark. On the half-hour, another great chance for the home side, as the Valladolid defence failed to clear their lines, the ball fell to Cejudo in time and space, but he also struck wide.

Towards the end of the half, Valladolid started to see the best of their attacking momentum, but though they were getting forward well, they couldn’t find the killer final ball or shot, whilst Osasuna stood tall and solid at the back.

There was a quick flurry of chances early into the second half and there could have been a goal at either end. Víctor Pérez with a marvellous strike for Valladolid, but that struck the post after deserving much more in the 50th minute. Then straight up the other end, Cejudo had the goal at his mercy for Osasuna, but Jaime produced a fantastic save to deny the home side the lead.

The first change of the game came in the 53rd minute, as Valladolid looked for more power in attack, replacing Larsson with Manucho. Half chances at either end then as the game started to open up more.

Past the hour and still open, Osasuna were still controlling the ball more, but Valladolid were also probing quickly on the counter, looking to burst down the flanks and send crosses for Manucho. The offside flag was his worst enemy though. The home side managed to forge a good chance in the 69th minute, but after a decent pass from Cejudo, De Las Cuevas struggled to hit the target with the finish, having a Valladolid defender all over him.

Osasuna made their first move from the bench in the 69th minute, as Cejudo, arguably their best player of the night, was replaced by Lobato. They managed to resist a short spell of pressure from Valladolid, before winning a corner which saw Oriol Riera come close in the 73rd minute, with a header.

The second Valladolid change came in the 75th minute, as Valiente replaced Víctor Pérez. Osasuna promptly followed suit a couple of moments later, as Oier replaced De Las Cuevas.

Bang on the 80th minute, a dangerous cross from the Osasuna right caused the Valladolid defence problems, but they were breathing sighs of relief as Arribas couldn’t direct his skimmed header on target. In the 83rd minute, the best chance of the game for Valladolid fell to the feet of Guerra, but his shot across the face of goal was denied by an excellent save from Osasuna keeper Andrés.

As the clock ticked the minutes towards the end of the game, the Osasuna fans whistled as Valladolid had a free-kick chance in the 88th minute, but Andrés punched the ball into touch. Destined for a goal-less finish, Osasuna made their last change in the 90th minute, with Oriol Riera replaced by Acuña and into stoppage time, Valladolid replaced Bergdich with Jeffren. The latter almost stole the points with the last chance of the game, a fraction wide with his effort.

A point each and little comfort for either team. Neither doing enough to take more from the game and they’ll both be looking warily over their shoulders, at results elsewhere this weekend.

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Gracia: A winnable game escaped us

Osasuna manager, Javi Gracia lamented his side’s 0-0 draw with fellow relegation rival, Real Valladolid on Friday evening, admitting that they let a chance to earn three points slip through their grasp.

In his post-match press conference, Gracia spoke about the match and the five remaining matches.

“We created danger and we were close to scoring. We let a game, where we had a chance to win, escape us. But in the last few minutes they had their best chance. Considering what was at stake and the performance we had, we should’ve won.

“We enjoyed several good chances, but we lacked accuracy. We need to get more return on the chances we’re creating.

“The point is positive and we need to keep adding points and maintain our goals against average.

“After the great run we had, we had a chance to change the situation we now find ourselves in against two direct rivals, we have to remain optimistic.”

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Real Valladolid manager, Juan Ignacio Martinez admitted that his side’s 0-0 draw against Osasuna on Friday evening was a “typical game at this point of the season,” and was happy that his team added a point as they try to climb out of the relegation zone.

In his post-match press conference, JIM analysed the draw and where the result leaves them with five matches remaining in the season.

“The match was typical for this point in the season between two teams in our position and adding points is always important for teams that are battling relegation.

“We win in the standings and goal differential and it’s one week less, but we have to leave happy with the job we did today. We competed well and we had our chances to score, knowing how difficult this match would be.”

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Barcelona's hopes of retaining their La Liga title suffered a major setback with a surprise loss at lowly Granada.

Algeria midfielder Yacine Brahimi hit the winner, holding off Martin Montoya before finding the net.

Granada keeper Orestis Karnezis pushed out Lionel Messi's beautifully-flighted free-kick before saving at the feet of Sergio Busquets as Barca pressed.

Leaders Atletico Madrid will move four points clear of Barca if they win at relegation-threatened Getafe on Sunday.

Barca drop to third, with five matches remaining, after Real Madrid eased to a 4-0 win over second-bottom Almeria at the Bernabeu.

The Catalans knew they would provisionally move top of La Liga with a win that most expected them to earn at Granada.

Granada's long wait
Granada's last league victory over Barcelona came back in the 1971-72 season - a 2-0 win.

But, despite enjoying over 80% of the possession, they were unable to cancel out Brahimi's early opener, adding further misery to an already wretched week.

Fresh from their Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico, Barca found themselves trailing when the Algeria international outpaced Montoya before beating goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto with a powerful angled drive.

The visitors upped the tempo with Karnezis pushing Neymar's curling effort wide and Cesc Fabregas having a shot blocked by Granada's on-loan Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori.

After the break, Barca continued to pin back the hosts with an equaliser seemingly almost a matter of time.

But Gerardo Martino's men could not find a way past Granada's inspired goalkeeper Karnezis. The Greece international showed superb reactions to push away Fabregas' first-time shot, before clawing out a 20-yard free-kick from the largely anonymous Messi.

Then, he bravely dived at the feet of Busquets in the six-yard box following a corner.

With Barca pouring forward, Granada almost netted a second in the final moments as Youssef El Arabi raced clear on the counter before being denied by Pinto in a one-on-one situation.

But it mattered little as Barcelona, who face Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey final on Wednesday, suffered a second straight defeat.

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

After learning that Barcelona had lost to Granada just moments before kick-off, it all came down to Real Madrid to leap frog their Copa del Rey final opponents into second place, which they did with authority.

Real Madrid came out a team possessed with Angel Di Maria hitting the post to send Esteban scrambling to organise his defense.

Esteban stepped up huge with massive stops against Gareth Bale and a headed attempt by Karim Benzema, but there was only so much he could do for so long, as Angel Di Maria finally broke through scoring the first goal in the 30th minute.

Almeria were able to hold and keep it at 1-0, but it was clear that their defense was reeling from the power of Real Madrid’s attack.

In the second half, Almeria’s defense were lambs to the slaughter as Gareth Bale finally scored his first, seven minutes after the whistle and Isco, who had gotten the starting nod, score three minutes later to give Los Blancos an virtually insurmountable lead at home.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changed, including bringing in Denis Llorente for his 2nd La Liga appearance.

The icing on the cake was an 84th minute goal by striker Alvaro Morata, putting the home side up 4-0 and sending a clear message to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich that they are in this until the end.

Speaking of ends, it may be just that for Almeria as they have five weeks and 15 points left to try and save themselves from relegation.

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Brahimi burst through to fire Granada into an early lead, then it was all Barcelona as the home side stubbornly held tight and defended with their lives… right to the 90th minute and beyond.

Granada were keen to press Barca as often and as quickly as possible in the opening stages at Nuevo Los Cármenes, That seemed to work well, with the visitors struggling to settle into any rhythm.

Barca had an opportunity from a very dangerously positioned free-kick in the 6th minute, but Messi couldn’t get it over the wall. Granada then threatened with a couple of half-chances on the break, but couldn’t find the connections in the final third.

Montoya came close with a header in the 11th minute, saved by Karnezis, amidst strong pressure from Barca. Then the decisive break came for Granada in the 15th minute, Fran Rico with a perfect through-ball, Brahimi losing his marker and firing past Pinto at the near-post.

Granada had the lead, but Barca had all the possession and play in their half as the game continued. Adriano, Neymar, Iniesta all failed to hit the target, as the home defence held on.

On the half hour and still looking for a way through the stubborn Granada defence, Neymar swiped a beautifully curled shot that was on it’s way in, only to be denied by a flying save from Karnezis.

More possession, more dominance in the Granada half for Barca, but still they couldn’t find a way through. Iniesta with a lovely ball for Montoya to strike on the overlap, but off-target in the 41st minute. It just wasn’t happening and Granada held tight until the interval.

Barca continued with their dominance as the second half began, pushing Granada back straight away. The home side held firm, though Messi almost found the key with a driven ball across the six-yard line that evaded everyone inside the area, before Nyom smashed it to the safety of the stands.

After continuing their pressure, Fàbregas found an opening to drive a shot through on target in the 53rd minute, but Granada’s Greek keeper Karnezis was down well to make the save. Up at the other end, the first Granada chance of the half, Brahimi winning the race with his marker to reach a long ball forward, but Pinto just there in time to wallop clear.

Neymar brilliantly worked his way into the area in the 58th minute, but drove his low shot a fraction past the far post. The pressure remained relentless from the visitors.

Granada introduced young Chilean winger Cristian Bravo in the 64th minute, replacing the scorer Brahimi. Barca followed suit with their first change a couple of minutes later, as Jordi Alba replaced Adriano.

Barca were still pushing, still probing, still trying to find a way through, but Granada were stubbornly holding tight as the game reached the final twenty minutes. Granada made their next change in the 72st minute, as Coeff replaced Piti. After Neymar fired over and wide, Barca made their second change in the 73rd minute, as Alexis came on for Busquets.

More and more pressure from Barca, stubborn and tight resistance from Granada, until Neymar sent a ball into the six-yard box that was agonisingly inches from Messi flying in to make the contact in the 79th minute.

Alexis had a glorious chance, cleared off the line by Murillo, then Iniesta was no more than millimetres wide with a low strike in the 81st minute. Incredible how Barca weren’t at least on level terms. More pressure and more frustration for the Catalan side as Messi headed a Neymar cross over in the 86th minute.

El Arabi could have won the game as he broke clean through for Granada in the 87th minute, but he fluffed the finish and Pinto managed to block. The home side made their final change a moment later, as Mainz replaced Murillo, who had taken an earlier knock and ended up being stretchered from the pitch.

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Villarreal hosted Levante at El Madrigal Saturday looking to keep pace in their fight for Europe and were able to take all three points thanks to a last second header by Jeremy Perbet in stoppage time.

Villarreal were looking to seal three important points at home against Levante and got started in great fashion at El Madrigal. The Yellow Submarine came out of the gates firing and forced Levante on the back foot and looked to score early.

After 10 minutes of play the home side would get their first chance of the game. After great buildup play on the left, a shot was sent at goal but keeper Keylor Navas did well to parry the shot over the crossbar to give Villarreal a corner.

After the early chance the visitors began to get into the game and really force Villarreal to defend in numbers. Though the home side would see more of the ball, it was Levante who had the most chances in front of goal.

After 16 minutes of play Sergio Asenjo was forced to catch a dangerous cross then was called into duty just seven minutes later. Levante continued to pile on the pressure and it was surprisingly right-back Loukas Vyntra who was the most dangerous player on the pitch.

Vyntra had two great chances in the first half that he should have capitalized on, but was unable to finish in front of goal. The halftime whistle soon sounded with the match scoreless and both managers in need of setting a fire under their players.

Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral made two changes to the squad by bringing on Trigueros and Aquina which had an immediate effect on the match. Villarreal began to take hold of the match and nearly opened up the scoring early on.

Javier Aquino had two quick chances that Villarreal should have capitalized on, but nothing came from it. Levante were visibly rattled by the pace of their hosts and started to struggle to retain possession. The Yellow Submarine was spurred on by fans and Trigueros had yet another chance to put the home side ahead but was unable to finish.

Levante responded by bringing on Angel to shake up things up front but it had little effect to begin with. After 70 minutes of play, however, Angel had his first chance that tested Sergio Asenjo who was able to keep the match scoreless.

Villarreal responded moments later when Trigueros blasted a tough effort at goal which was miraculously saved by Keylor Navas who continued to put on a wonderful display in front of goal.

Aquino had another great chance moments later that went missing and it quickly began to look as though the match would not see goals. After the referee called for four added minutes the match would finally reach it’s climax.

With no time left on the referee’s watch, Levante would make a bad foul on the side of the box. Villarreal would swing in a nice cross which found the head of Perbet who slotted his effort past Keylor Navas to give the home side the 1-0 lead and the match.

After the goal was scored the final whistle blew. Villarreal had earned three very valuable points in their fight for European play while Levante’s chances of a seventh place finish may have just ended.

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Celta Vigo took another step towards ensuring their La Liga status for next season after coming back from behind on two occasions to pick up a 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad at Balaidos.

The first half started at a ferocious tempo with both teams almost taking the lead in the first minute. At 1:37 Augutso’s low cross picked out Krohn-Dehli, the Dane connected well with a shot that took a fine block from Mikel Gonzalez to prevent the ball heading on target. Sociedad counter attacked and on 1:52 Carlos Vela’s delivery was met by the head of Canales but Yoel was equal to the effort. The visitors kept up the tempo, moving the ball around with purpose and closing down quickly which Celta couldn’t handle, and seven minutes in they broke the deadlock. Canales receiving the ball deep tried his luck from distance, the shot was blocked but he reacted quickest to the loose ball and again from long range sent a powerful left-foot drive past Yoel, although the shot-stopper should have done better.

Celta were all over the place following the goal but La Real couldn’t make them pay, Vela’s shot from the edge of the box was straight at Yoel, Inigo Martinez twice headed wide from set-pieces and Antoine Griezmann cut in from the left-wing with ease but dragged his shot wide as the hosts were holding on for dear life. Oddly though Real Sociedad decided to sit back and absorb pressure, trying to play on the counter attack which allowed Celta more time on the ball which brought about a period of sustained pressure from the Galicians. On 20 minutes, Fontas was involved in a lovely team move, threading a perfectly weighted pass to Jonny, the full-back fizzed a cross across the six-yard box which Mario Bemejo attacked but it took a last-ditch challenge from Jose Angel to prevent the equaliser. That seemed to wake Celta up, soon they were the ones moving the ball around with intensity with Sociedad struggling to keep up, Nolito was played in by Krohn-Dehli but the winger’s effort was parried by Bravo then seconds later Rafinha linked up well with Augusto but his shot aimed at the near post was wide of the mark.

Krohn-Dehli forced Bravo into another save with his attempt from distance and Bemejo should have done much better with his chance from the edge of the penalty area after some smart movement, the shot in the end was well wide. The veteran striker played a huge part in Celta’s equaliser on 37 minutes as the pressure finally paid off when Nolito converted from the spot, after Inigo Martinez up-ended the veteran striker. There was still a final twist to come in this action-packed opening 45, a direct move from Sociedad ended with Agirretxe knocking the ball down for Griezmann, the Frenchman latched on to the header and with time to let the ball drop he executed his half-volley with aplomb sending it flying past Yoel, via the underside of the crossbar for his 16th goal of the season, punishing Celta’s soft defending.

Within just two minutes of the restart this game took another turn when Celta’s Aurtenetxe was shown a straight red card for a very high challenge on Carlos Vela which seemed to catch the Mexican in the stomach. Santi Mina and Orellana were sent on to try and turn the match back in the hosts’ favour and with that the pattern for the second half was set. Celta, sticking to their attacking principles, applied pressure to find the second leveller while Sociedad were content to player on the break utilising the space of their front three. Griezmann ought to have put the match beyond Celta just before the hour mark, after a long ball over the top caught out the home defence, he was one-on-one with Yoel but carelessly dragged the ball wide when it looked easier to score.

Celta wouldn’t lie down and continued to look dangerous, Krohn-Dehli’s shot from inside the box was blocked and Santi Mina couldn’t get good enough contact from a cross as he slid to connect with it. Nolito was a spark for Enrique’s team, dribbling into good positions but he couldn’t quite find the killer pass to create an opening, he did however test Bravo from a free-kick that was goal-bound but it didn’t have enough curl to take it past the Chilean. Celta kept plugging away and were rewarded ten minutes from the end, Fontas was the driving force behind the goal sending the ball to Orellana, the forward cut inside but Sociedad thought they had cleared, instead the ball fell kindly for Santi Mina who accurately found the bottom corner with a powerful low drive to send Balaidos crazy.

Even after that Celta didn’t hold back as they tried to find the winner, Orellana was again causing problems on the left flank racing past his marker but his delicate dink from an acute angle was saved. In the end both sides had to settle for a point but considering Celta had to play the majority of the second half with ten men, it’s a positive result and performance that moves them a step closer to Primera safety. As for the Basques it’s a missed opportunity to provisionally draw level on points with Sevilla in fifth place, while also denting any small hopes of finishing in the final Champions League spot.

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Diego Costa se acaba de hacer polvo marcando el 0-2 pal Atlético.

¿Eso da puntos en el comunio?

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Espero que no sea nada grave y esté para el mundial

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Parece que se ha quedado en herida y susto nada más

Re: Jornada 33 primera division

Impresionante la hostia de Costa con el poste. Al karma le ha faltado poco para cumplir su trabajo.