Re: Jornada 9 - primera division

Valencia got their first ‘official’ win of the Peter Lim era with a comfortable 3-1 win against local rivals Elche in front of an inspired crowd at Mestalla.

After last weekend’s shock defeat to Deportivo La Coruna, Los Che boss Nuno was hoping for a positive reaction and a win for the Mestalla faithful who turned up in their droves to welcome their new owner.

Elche settled well in the first half but despite Gary Rodrigues causing some problems early on, they fell behind after 12 minutes from a set-piece. Pablo Piatti’s corner was met by Shkodran Mustafi who guided the ball into the bottom corner. Just five minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage, again via a dead ball situation. It was Piatti with another delivery and this time captain Dani Parejo nodded home from inside the six-yard box. Valencia continued to probe and missed chances through Rodrigo, whose shot from the edge of the box drifted wide, then Piatti’s left-foot attempt from close range was saved following an assist from Parejo.

The in-form Paco Alcacer could have gotten himself on the scoresheet five minutes before the break but his header was off-target when he ought to have done better. At the other end there were some half chances for the visitors, Adrian tried his luck from distance on a couple of occasions which proved unsuccessful while Jonathas also had an effort from long range that failed to trouble Diego Alves.

Valencia continued to look menacing after the interval, very nearly grabbing a third goal on the break. Andre Gomes threading a beautiful pass into the path of Piatti, whose cross come shot whizzed by the far post with Alcacer almost making contact to send the ball into the net. Just before the hour mark Gaya sent a teasing ball into the box which nearly crept in at the far post then Otamendi’s header from another set-piece was held by Manu Herrera.

Set-pieces were the key in this match and yet again the home side scored from one just after 60 minutes, Alcacer winning the header from Piatti’s cross and a deflection via Lomban took it past the helpless Herrera. Rodrigo could have made it 4-0 a couple of minutes later, cutting in from the right wing after another lightening quick counter but the finish from the Spaniard was wayward. The 23-year-old had an opportunity that was a carbon copy with 10 minutes remaining but once again the end result was the same.

With seven minutes to go, striker Alvaro Negredo made his début and was unlucky not to have opened his account immediately with a cute lobbed attempt that went over the bar. Before the end, in a rare foray forward, Elche almost grabbed a well-worked consolation, Diego Cisma working a clever give and go but his half volley only rippled the side-netting. In the game’s last play, another set-piece resulted in a goal, Fajr’s corner picked out Jonathas who powerfully headed low into the net.

Re: Jornada 9 - primera division

El Clásico, the single most watched sporting event in the world, pitting arguably the two greatest clubs with the greatest history against each other to decide who will reign supreme in La Liga, was as thrilling and heart-pounding as you’d imagine as Real Madrid defeated their arch-rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

The first of many surprises that evening came before the match, when former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was named to Barcelona’s starting XI after serving his four-month ban from football, joining Neymar and Leo Messi in a star-studded attack.

Real Madrid were also boosted by the returns of Pepe and Sergio Ramos, but were missing a major attacking threat in Gareth Bale, who was ruled out of the match due to a buttock injury.

Barcelona kicked off and immediately got to work, testing the Real Madrid defence early and often and immediately found the crack in the Blancos defence as Neymar juked Pepe to square up and fire the first goal of the evening past Iker Casillas.

However, Real Madrid would come back as they continually goaded Barcelona into unnecessary challenges, the biggest of which occurred in the 34th minute, when an outstretched Gerard Pique’s arm hit a Marcelo pass in the penalty area to give Real Madrid a chance to equalise.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and fired the penalty past Claudio Bravo, breaking the Chilean’s 755 minute shutout record and while it may have been the first, it most certainly wouldn’t be the last.

Barcelona and Real Madrid went into the break on even terms with Real Madrid feeling the momentum.

Real Madrid came out with a fire lit beneath them and they took advantage of Barcelona’s achilles heel, set-pieces, as a Toni Kroos corner found a wide open Pepe, who fired in a brilliant header.

Pepe’s header was made possible by a fantastic move by Karim Benzema to lead Barcelona’s Man of the Match, Javier Mascherano, away from the action and giving the Portuguese international a clear look at goal.

The fun wouldn’t end there as Real Madrid would put the final nail in the coffin with an impressive display of teamwork.

The play began with a streaking run by Isco on the touchline, who passed to Cristiano Ronaldo at midfield, but rather than the Ballon d’Or winner taking his chances against Claudio Bravo, he passed off to James Rodriguez who put the final touch to Karim Benzema, who fired in the first goal of the evening for his side.

Real Madrid’s brilliant build-up play was facilitated by Barcelona’s lazy approach to defence on that particular play, a play that would define and determine the outcome of the match.

Barcelona and Real Madrid both made substitutions, which included Pedro coming in for Luis Suarez, who had a quiet evening in his debut.

The match was over with the third goal by Real Madrid, who shared the responsibilities and glory, while keeping a Barcelona side, who looked unbeatable several weeks ago, quiet after the third minute.

Re: Jornada 9 - primera division

Pues lo que sacó el Barça ayer:

Inista lesionado con pronostico reservado, deseperación por encontrar un central "de verdad" y al topo en procesión.

Re: Jornada 9 - primera division

Se está apretando el Vecinas - Villarreal (0-0).

Es lo que vengo repitiendo del segundo escalón, que en el tercero la mitad no sirven ni pa atarse las botas.

EDIT: Gol del Villarreal. Se estaba viendo venir, auqnue para ser justos podía haber caído para ambos lados.

EDIT 2: Empatan las vecuinas, vaya lío en la defensa del Villarreal.