Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

The script was not supposed to go like this. As Lionel Messi chased the La Liga scoring record; Luis Suarez made his debut and the home fans expected to see goals from their new look attacking trio.

In the event, the hero of an engrossing encounter was not Messi, Suarez or Neymar but Sergio Alvarez in the Celta goal as his heroics helped the away side recorded their first victory against Barcelona since Edu scored the winner in a 1-0 victory in May 2004, and their first league victory at Camp Nou in over 70 years. The match was also the first time Barcelona failed to score in La Liga at Camp Nou for 57 games since October 2011.

The home side started the game energetically and looked like they were going to make the most of their early control with Neymar hitting the post as early as the 11th minute. The game continued with Barcelona dominating possession, and, in the 32nd minute it looked like Lionel Messi would finally pull level with Telmo Zarra’s La Liga record of 251 goals, when he slid the ball past Alvarez but somehow Jonny Castro slid to meet the ball and knock it on to his own crossbar.

Just two minutes later the Argentine attacker again looked nailed on to score as Luis Suarez found him unmarked in the box, but his header sailed over the crossbar.

The ball continued to remain at the feet of the Catalans, and just before half time, Luis Suarez, on his home debut found himself with a decent opportunity but failed to convert.

At half time, Luis Enrique must have believed it was just a matter of time for his side, as 65% of the first half possession and eight shots on goals highlighted Barca’s dominance.

The game continued in the same manner early in the second half, as just two minutes after the restart Barcelona again hit the woodwork, this time Neymar crashing a shot against the bar.

In the 55th minute, Celta made the most of a mistake from Dani Alves, when the Brazilian messed up on the edge of the box, giving the ball to Nolito who backheeled the ball to Larrivey who slotted the ball best Bravo in the Barcelona goal.

Messi had a further chance to score in the 65th minute before Alvarez made a fantastic save to deny Luis Saurez his first La Liga goal. Suarez, who found the net 31 times in 33 starts for Liverpool last season, should have done better with the opportunity.

More chances came in a thrilling climax, with Nolito getting a shot on Bravo’s goal, with the keeper parrying it to an unmarked Charles, who, with the entire goal to aim for managed to head over the empty goal.

Barcelona continued to have clear cut chances throughout the last 15 minutes, as the Camp Nou faithful got more and more anxious, particularly after earlier victories for Real and Atletico.

Firstly, Messi, who should have had a hat-trick, struck the corner of the crossbar and post with a free-kick from distance, before Alvarez continued to keep his side in it with an amazing save from Luis Suarez in the 84th minute.

As time ebbed away for the home side, Neymar narrowly missed connecting with a cross from Suarez after good play by the Uruguayan on the edge of the box.

When referee Garrido blew the final whistle, the defeat left Barcelona third place in the table behind their two rivals from Madrid. Although Barcelona failed to score, the 19 shots had means that on another day they could quite easily have dispatched their rivals from Galicia.

This was, however, Celta’s day and particularly Man of the Match Sergio Alvarez, who remained in 6th place but reduced the gap on the leading pack in the process.

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

Atletico Madrid sustained pressure on the leaders as they eased to a win over Cordoba at Vicente Calderon, with five of the six goals coming in an action packed second half.

Athletic started the match brightly after Simeone had earlier called for his side not to be complacent, with Koke hitting the bar after in the 13th minute after being laid on well by Antoine Griezmann. After an early bright start by Atletico, Cordoboa began to find some space in the midfield before Mario Mandzukic nearly found the net in the 39th minute.

Just as it looked as if the home side would go into the break level, in the 44th minute Atletico – who always looked dangerous from set piece situations, found Griezmann in the box for him to knock the ball in via a deflection.

Simeone’s relief at going in level at half time would have reduced dramatically in the 53rd minute as Cordoba levelled, with Algerian attacker Nabil Ghillas scoring a header from a corner.

Parity did not last long however, as Atletico continued to pile forward, with Juanfran crossing in for the very impressive Griezmann to power a header in off Juan Carlos in the Cordoba goal for his second of the match.

As the stadium reacted to the goal, Atletico continued to harm the Cordoba defence with another goal 5 minutes later, this time Mario Manzukic heading home after a Koke delivery.

In the 77th minute, Simeone, possibly with an eye on the Champions League trip to Malmo on Wednesday, replaced the outstanding Griezmann with Uruguyan Cristian Rodriguez.

This didn’t hamper Atletico too much however, as three minutes later Koke delivered his third assist of the night with Raul Garcia scoring after the ball seemed to come off his shoulder.

There was still time for late drama, however, as uncharacteristic poor defending from Atletico allowed Ghillas to score his second of the night.

The win takes Atletico up to second in the table, a point behind Real Madrid before the Barcelona v Celta Vigo encounter at Camp Nou. It leave Cordoba still looking for their first league victory after 10 games, leaving the side rooted in the relegation zone.

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

Real Sociedad have sacked manager Jagoba Arrasate after last night’s loss to Malaga left the Basque side in the relegation zone, a run that has seen them lose four of their last six matches.

A statement from the club on Sunday evening confirmed that Arrasate had been relieved of his duties, as was expected.

“Real Sociedad have relieved Jagoba Arrasate of his first team managerial duties. Coaches Txema Lumberas and Bittor Alkiza have also been relieved of their duties as second and third coach, respectively.

“Until a new manager and his coaching staff is named, Asier Santana and Imanol Alguacil, current coaches of Sanse, will direct the first team training. Tomorrow’s training will being at 4pm at Zubieta.

“Real Sociedad would like to thank [Arrasate] for his professionalism, commitment and dedication, as well as that of his staff of Txema Lumberas and Bittor Alkiza for their work with the first team.”

With Arrasate sacked, numerous sources state that former Manchester United manager David Moyes is the favourite for the position.

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

Levante and Almería battled in a tightly contested encounter, with the home side edging themselves ahead through Barral in the first half. Zongo hauled Almería back on level terms, but Casadesús struck the winner five minutes later, as Levante climbed off the foot of La Liga and out of the relegation zone.

Levante played a waiting game in the opening moments of the encounter, as Almería controlled possession of the ball, and looked to take early charge, but it was the home side with the first clear chance, but the header from Barral was weak and straight into the hands of Rubén.

Barral would have the next opportunity, but once again there was no sting to his effort, after he received the ball from Casadesús in the 13th minute. Almería started to show more purpose with their attacking for a spell, first with a swift counter, but the Levante defence managed to recover. Then in the 25th minute, an excellent chance as Thievy tricked his marker with a backheel, feeding Thomas to strike from the edge of the area, though straight into the hands of Mariño.

Third time lucky it proved for Barral however, as he gave Levante the lead. Diop creating the opening after stealing the ball in midfield, then threading it through for Barral to run through, break the Almería defence and finish with aplomb. The Levante number seven could have had a quick second, but was denied by the alertness of Rubén in the Almería goal.

Almería threatened with corners and crosses, looking for a way back by high balls proved comfortable for the Levante defence to deal with. The home side gifted possession cheaply in the 43rd minute, as Edgar took control for the visitors and slipped the ball to Corona, but from distance, he couldn’t trouble Mariño, who saved comfortably.

The first chance of the second half came from Almería, but Edgar was wayward with his effort from the edge of the area. The visitors were still trying to fire aerial balls for their strikers too, but Levante remained solid and able to deal with those.

Almería made their first change in the 57th minute, as Francisco sent on another aerial presence, with Hemed on for Corona, switching to a 4-4-2. Levante were looking more likely to score a second though, as they pressured.

A flurry of changes came in the 66th minute, with Gavilàn replacing Ivanschitz for Levante, whilst Almería switched Thievy for Wellington Silva, who had an immediate chance on goal, but couldn’t make the most of a poor clearance by the home defence. That was immediately followed by the third and final Almería change, with Soriano on for Edgar.

Eventually Almería forced a corner and from that, found their equaliser. Hemed with the first connection, though wayward, but Zongo snatched on the loose ball in the air, heading in whilst the Levante defence were slow to react.

Alcaraz made his next move from the bench, with a straight midfield swap of Sissoko for Camarasa in the 72nd minute. Just four minutes later, Levante were back in the lead. A free-kick sent towards goal from Gavilán was blocked, but Casadesús fastest to react, gobbling up the rebound.

Heading into the final ten minutes and Levante made their final change, as Morales replaced Rubén García. Another chance came for them in the 81st minute and it really should have been the third goal. Barral gathering the long ball forward, a lovely turn past his marker and firing over Almería keeper Rubén, but also a fraction off-target.

Almería threw everything forward, looking to level once again, but Hemed saw his effort saved by Mariño, then in the dying seconds of stoppage time, but after Zongo sent the ball towards the face of goal, Wellington Silva with the goal at his mercy, somehow managed to slice his finish wide. It should have been a draw, but with the final whistle seconds later, Almería left empty-handed and Levante, much to the delight of their long-suffering fans, had all three points.

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

It wasn’t going to be Villarreal’s day, after Cani had to withdraw from the starting eleven, injured in the warm-up and replaced by Moi Gómez. Things didn’t get any better when Trigueros scored an own-goal in the opening minutes. Valencia were patient and soaked up the insistent pressure from the home side, then Mustafi got forward for set-pieces, scoring twice to claim his side a well-earned victory.

Villarreal made a calamitous start to the encounter at El Madrigal, when Dorado hoofed a dangerous cross into the air and with Rodrigo closing in to pounce for Valencia, his blushes were saved by keeper Asenjo, who just about managed to get there first. A good move at the other end should have met with a better finish after Uche and Cheryshev combined well, but Trigueros skied his finish.

Trigueros again would be involved at the other end, as Valencia attacked in the 6th minute, but for all the wrong reasons. Feghouli with a dangerous cross that the Villarreal midfielder tried desperately to clear away from danger, but he only succeeded in sending the ball into the back of his own net. Advantage to the visitors.

The high pace of the game continued as Villarreal tried to forge a quick way back to level terms, but play was wide open and switching from one end to the other at lightning speed. In the 14th minute, the home side were unlucky not to get the equaliser, following a great cross from Cheryshev and with Uche only a fraction away from making the connection.

Despite the insistence of Villarreal, the Valencia were well positioned and holding firm defensively, but the home side almost had the a breakthrough in the 24th minute. A cross from Cheryshev deflecting off Otamendi and almost into the back of the net, but Alves was there to save, right on the goal line.

Valencia started to push back and create more danger themselves as the game headed past the half-hour mark, but Villarreal were now holding firm at their end of the pitch. Both sides probed and looked for routes to goal, but the game went through a spell of watertight defending and with the respective goalkeepers simply observers, having nothing to deal with.

Eventually in the 37th minute, Villarreal forced a corner and from that, more pressure and territorial dominance. Cheryshev managed to crack a shot towards goal, it took a wicked deflection and seemed destined for the back of the net, but Alves reacted superbly in the Valencia goal. Pushing once more, the home side still sought the equaliser, but Nuno’s side were defending well up to the final minute of the half, when Cheryshev again caught a whiff of goal, but Barragán was there with a timely intervention, just as the Russian was pulling the trigger.

Villarreal began the second half as they’d finished the first, looking for that all important equaliser and mounting plenty of forward momentum. Valencia remained solid at the back though, preventing clear sights at their goal until the hour mark, when Uche received a through ball, got himself into the area and prepared to strike, only for Mustafi to appear with perfect timing to make the block.

The first substitution came in the 61st minute from Villarreal, as Marcelino sent on Jonathan Dos Santos for Moi Gómez. There was little time for that change to take effect however, as with their first real threat of the second half, Valencia made the most of it and doubled the lead. A set-piece, Piatti with the ball into the area and Otamendi beating Mario to it with the finish.

Now it was really an uphill struggle for Villarreal, who promptly made their second change, as Giovani Dos Santos trudged off in the 65th minute, replaced by Vietto. The Argentine striker wasted no time getting involved, but his finish didn’t match his intentions, firing wide in the 70th minute. That was followed by the third and final change for the home side, with Gerard Moreno on for Uche.

Valencia didn’t let up though and in the 73rd minute, another corner and Piatti floating it into the area, a flick-on at the near-post from Feghouli, Mustafi was there to make the finish. The travelling fans were loving every minute of this regional derby, with their side now cruising. Carles Gil was their first substitution in the 76th minute, with the game comfortably under control and Feghouli the man replaced. Another change shortly after that, as Negredo took to the pitch, replacing Alcácer for the final ten minutes.

Villarreal were still trying to find their route to goal, but with little real energy and Valencia were keeping a tight lock on things at the back. The third and final change from Nuno in the 85th minute, as De Paul replaced Rodrigo. At last however, Villarreal managed to grab some consolation and a late goal in the 88th minute as the visitors relaxed at the back. Gerard Moreno with a good cross and Trigueros making the finish, at the right end of the pitch this time. A last hurrah of attacking in the three minutes of added time, from Villarreal beyond that, but too little too late.

Valencia now climb to second in La Liga, level on points with Atlético Madrid and just one behind Real Madrid at the summit. Villarreal must pick themselves up ahead of their Europa League encounter in midweek, after back to back league defeats.

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

Elche and Espanyol traded blows and chances, but the home side showed the most precision in front of goal, building a two goal lead thanks to the finishing prowess of Jonathas. When everything seemed comfortable, Rodrigues was dismissed, giving the visitors a route back. Cisma the second dismissal for Elche and Stuani pulling a goal back from the spot. The home side fought for their points though and held on bravely until the end.

Elche were the first to build a clear early chance, as Pasalic formed part of a lovely move, which set Cristian Herrera bearing down on goal. Powerfully struck and destined for the back of the net, but Casilla made an excellent save for Espanyol in the 6th minute.

Espanyol began to advance more out of their own half as the minutes passed, Sergio García at the thick of the action for the Catalan side, forcing Tyton in the Elche goal into action in the 18th minute, saving his centred shot. In the opposite direction the next moment however, Elche took the lead. Deep ball forward from Enzo Roco, poor decision from Casilla to leave his goal and Jonathas there to fire into an empty net.

The visitors looked to make an instant response and in the 21st minute. Tyton uncertain punching a corner clear, which fell for Sergio García to strike on the half-volley, but the Elche keeper recovered to make an excellent save. Another chance for Espanyol moments later, as Montañes latched onto a cross and had Tyton beaten, but Damián was there to save the day for the home side, clearing off the line. Montañes collected the ball again, feeding Stuani, but the Uruguayan couldn’t find the equaliser and was wide of the mark.

Elche finally started to link their play together going forward again, as the game passed the half-hour mark, but just couldn’t quite make the final connections. Heading toward the interval, the home side remained the stronger side, but there were few clear cut chances.

Continuing to pressure after the restart, Elche were unlucky not to double their lead in the 47th minute. Lombán with an almighty strike, that smashed off the underside of the crossbar, off the line and Cristian Herrera couldn’t take advantage of the rebound.

Fans in the ground thought the ball had gone over the line from that last chance, but they didn’t have to wait long for another. In the 52nd minute, Víctor Rodríguez carved his way through the Espanyol defence, fed the ball to Jonathas to show great control and finishing, with no chance for Casilla to stop it.

Espanyol came close to pulling a goal back in the 57th minute. Sergio García striking a free-kick, which wasn’t well taken, but glanced the wall, sent Tyton the wrong way and almost crept into the back of the net. Sergio opted for a double change a moment later, sending on Jordán and Caicedo for Álex and Sergio García, who clearly hadn’t been ready for a full ninety minutes, as predicted.

Rodrigues gave away a soft foul close to his area, collecting a yellow card for his troubles, just after the hour mark, but Espanyol couldn’t capitalise as Tyton saved the free-kick. As the other end in the 65th minute, Elche and Jonathas almost had a third goal, as he burst through but was denied by Casilla.

After Espanyol came close with Stuani, Elche made their first change in the 73rd minute, as Coro replaced Cristian Herrera. Two minutes later though, the home side were down to ten men. Rodrigues collecting his second yellow card, fouling Cañas whilst in the midst of an aerial duel. Espanyol immediately made their third and final change, sniffing an opportunity and replaced Montañes with Salva Sevilla, who almost scored with his first action, but denied by a fisted save from Tyton. Another quick chance came with Stuani from a free-kick, which was struck well and requiring two attempts to control by the Elche keeper.

Elche made their second change in the 80th minute, as José Ángel replaced Pasalic. Espanyol continued to pressure though and in the 85th minute, were rewarded with a penalty. Cisma handling the shot from Cañales and double the punishment as the defender was sent-off, reducing his side to nine men now. Stuani smashed in from the spot and Espanyol had a lifeline.

Frantic final moments ensued. Elche went looking for the equaliser and it was backs to the wall, holding firm before Escribá tried to run down the clock, making his final change with Albacar on for Víctor Rodríguez in the 89th minute.

Elche sufferd and suffered the inevitable Espanyol onslaught, but heroically held firm and in the third minute of stoppage time, as the Catalan side desperately threw everything into attack, the home side broke forward on the counter. Jonathas on the run, sending the ball to Mosquera and he struck well, only for it to hit the post. The final whistle couldn’t come soon enough.

Priceless, hard-earned and deserved three points for Elche, whilst Espanyol will wonder how they couldn’t snatch at least a point, given their numerical advantage late in the game.

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

Rayo Vallecano have struggled with form over the past several weeks, losing two out of their past three games while Eibar have fighting their way throughout their inaugural Primera Division season as the smallest club in the league only can.

The first half consisted of Rayo Vallecano retaining possession, while Eibar looked to score and sit back when they had a glimpse of an opportunity.

Eibar continued to pressure the Rayo defence, with Piovaccari leading the charge and their chance would finally come in the 39th minute when a questionable penalty by Nacho on Bóveda set up the Basque side for their first goal.

Arruabarrena nailed the penalty and Eibar took a 0-1 lead into half-time, leaving Rayo with more questions than answers.

However, this game was just getting started as Eibar burst out of the gates and Piovaccari finally netting the second goal of the evening in the 50th minute.

Yet, there were 40 minutes remaining but Rayo would only need less than a minute as Leo Baptistao scored the first goal in the 67th minute and would immediately follow it up with a header to equalise in the 68th minute.

Baptistao’s goals gave Rayo a new lease on life and reinvigorated the squad, but Eibar refused to give up with veteran striker Mikel Arruabarrena scoring a header in the final minutes of the match from a brilliant cross by Abraham, who had come on just 15 minutes earlier.

Rayo were not able to come back from the devastating goal and were unable to match Eibar, despite Leo Baptistao’s heroics as the newly promoted side now move well into the top of La Liga.

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

El Eibar es la revelación de primera

Re: Jornada 10 - primera division

Indeed.Till now they are the surprise package of the season.But the season is not a sprint but a marathon