Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

habéis visto cómo ha expulsado a helder postiga del deportivo, el tan laureado mateu lahoz? acojonante

asi está el nivel del arbitraje, que muchos se fijan en este árbitro que es igual de malo que los demás

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

a ver lo que pone en el acta, porque si no....

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Javi Gracia’s Málaga made it five consecutive La Liga wins against traveling Eibar this evening, after coming from behind in the second half with goals from Juanmi and Nordin Amrabat.

Málaga were the team coming into the game in high-flying form, but it was Eibar who had the ball in the back of the net first at La Rosaleda. Unfortunately for the visitors, Raúl Navas had strayed slightly offside as he anticipated Saúl Berjón’s excellent delivery from out wide on the left. Moments after, a cross from Málaga’s Castillejo this time, was sent just over Irureta’s goal by the lung-bursting Juanmi, who had done brilliantly to get in the box behind the Eibar defence.

Although there was significant goal mouth action in the first five minutes or so, the game fizzled out after that, turning into an extremely tight affair, especially in midfield areas. Both teams have shown excellent organisation throughout the season so far, and neither of them looked to be straying too far from that in the first half this evening.

The next respectable chance didn’t arrived until the 24th minute, when Miguel Torres headed just wide of a scrambling Irureta’s post. Málaga had kept the ball alive following a cleared corner, while Boka’s cross back into the box was met well by Torres, although his attempt wasn’t quite sweet to force the Eibar goalkeeper into action. Less than a minute later, Boka went on his own this time, thrashing a sweet left-footed strike from around 25 yards out – and although the attempt was straight down Irureta’s throat, the 28-year-old still had a few problems managing the ferocity of the Málaga left back’s shot.

In the 33rd minute, it was then the home side’s turn to have a goal ruled out by the linesman’s flag. A cross out wide from Amrabat was controlled by Juanmi superbly inside the box, before he swiveled Albentosa to slot low into the Eibar goal. Much like Navas had early in the game though, the Málaga man had snuck just a yard or so offside – just enough for the officials to make the right call.

The game looked as if it would be heading into the break all square after a tightly-contested first half, but Eibar were handed a gift on the stroke of half time. A cross into the box by Capa wide on the right wasn’t dealt with by Miguel Torres, his clearance landing right at the feet of Arruabarrena inside the box just yards away. The veteran Eibar midfielder took one touch before curling a left-footed shot into the far corner of Kameni’s goal. In such a competitive game, it was probably harsh on Málaga to head into the half behind, but the clinical finish of the Eibar captain was well worthy of opening the scoring.

In the nature of the game, it came as no surprise when Málaga drew level less than ten minutes after the restart. The home side had managed to find more space in the final third in the opening stages of the second half, and punished Eibar fairly quickly. Samuel García had found space to shoot from the edge of the box, and while his shot was batted down by Irureta, Juanmi followed up emphatically to volley Málaga back on level terms.

The equaliser perked Eibar back up after a slow start, as the game resumed it’s first half deadlock. Clear-cut chances were at a premium for both sides, and despite Málaga’s considerable edge in terms of possession and control of the game, Eibar still looked as if they could cause the home side concern on the counter-attack. And it was the visitors who had an exquisite chance to edge ahead as the game drew to its conclusion. In the 75th minute, Errasti’s cross into the box was deflected nicely into the path of Arruabarrena at point blank range. Málaga defenders around him were convinced that the Eibar captain was offside, but Arruabarrena continued, firing over the bar when Kameni was the only man left to beat.

It was a chance that the away team could come to rue in the final stages of the game. Having pressed for the winner since Juanmi’s 53rd minute equaliser, Málaga finally found their opportunity just before stoppage time. As Sergi Darder burst into the box, his touch forwards was handled by Raúl Navas inside the Eibar penalty area. Martínez Munuera didn’t hesistate for a second and awarded the home side a penalty in the dying minutes. Having already been booked, Navas was also handed his marching orders with a second yellow for his actions. As he has done on a number of occasions already this season, Nordin Amrabat stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and seal all three points for Málaga.

Javi Gracia’s team roll on in the league, making it five consecutive victories in La Liga at the expense of Eibar. It was a closely contested game throughout the ninety minutes, but Gaizka Garitano’s side passed up their chance to win it, and were duly punished.

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Celta Vigo and Granada couldn’t make the most of good chances at either end, in a battling encounter between the two sides at Balaídos, forced to share a point apiece.

Galician rain made for a fast surface at Balaídos, as the two sides tussled for control of the ball, in the opening stages of the game. Granada showed the first signs of danger, Foulquier and Nyom threatening down the right, but they couldn’t make the most of an early corner earned. Celta promptly responded though and had the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute, but the flag was quickly raised, with three of their forward in offside positions.

Amidst continued battles for territory and control, it was Celta who continued to look the more dangerous going forward, particularly with quick breaks on the counter. In the 15th minute, Granada keeper Roberto lost control of the ball and Celta were gifted with a great chance to score as Pablo Hernández snatched at the opportunity with a first time shot, but curled wide of an open goal.

Granada sought to get long balls forward to Córdoba and El Arabi, but the Celta defence were always on hand to snuff out any danger. Going forward themselves, the home side continued to threaten, but were lacking precision with their final pass, until Nolito drilled a low show in the 27th minute, but was denied by a comfortable save from Roberto.

Past the half hour mark, a corner presented the next opportunity for Celta. Initially cleared by the Granada defence, Sergi Gómez rose well to head powerfully on target, but straight into the hands of the Granada keeper. In the 36th minute, an error from the referee. A challenge from one of the Granada defenders deflected off a Celta player, the ball rolling harmlessly for Roberto to pick up. The referee awarded a free-kick inside the area for a back-pass, much to the consternation of the Granada players, although they successfully managed to defend it.

Heading towards the interval, play switched from end to end. Orellana for Celta, showing good skill and cutting inside his marker to firer in a low shot towards his near post, but Roberto down well to save. The final chance of the half with Granada, as El Arabi got a firm right boot behind an effort from distance, which dipped just over the crossbar.

Celta were lively in their attacking as action resumed in the second half. A good early effort from Nolito had to be saved by Roberto in the 46th minute, but otherwise, Granada were holding firm at the back, before making their first change of the encounter, a direct swap in attack with Success on for El Arabi.

Jhon Córdoba had the first chance of the second period for Granada in the 56th minute, muscling his way through the middle of the Celta defence, but the final strike was weak and easy for Álvarez to save. On the hour, the second change for Granada as Caparrós replaced Córdoba with Rochina. He had a glorious chance to open the scoring two minutes later, but blazed his finish wide after Success had served up the opportunity on a plate.

Celta made their first change in the 64th minute, Pablo Hernández struggling with a muscle problem and replaced by Augusto. More defending to do next for the home side though, as Granada continued to pressure, but couldn’t find an easy route through on goal. The visitors made their final substitution in the 69th minute, with Márquez on for Sissoko, who had pulled up moments earlier with what looked like cramp.

Granada had a marvellous opportunity, as Celta lost the ball inside their own half, Rochina collected it and burst through, rounding Sergio Álvarez and sliding his finish towards goal from the narrow angle. The home side escaped though, with Cabal just about clearing off the line. Celta made their second change in the 72nd minute, a straight swap at the back with Fontàs on for Sergi Gómez.

Still finely balanced, the game headed into the final ten minutes. Having withstood the earlier pressure from Granada, Celta were now showing more insistence, but still couldn’t find a way past the stubborn visiting defence. In an aerial duel, Roberto went down injured after clashing with Larrivey, requiring around three moments treatment on his knee. Celta made their final change, with Álex López on for Hugo Mallo. The Granada keeper recovered and his next action was a crucial save, after Orellana burst clean through on goal in the 88th minute.

Six added minutes were indicated by the fourth official, for the stoppages in the second half, not to mention the lengthy treatment of Granada keeper Roberto. The two sides continued to look for maximum points, as play switched from end to end. Krohn-Dehli with a powerful strike in the 93rd minute, but it rocketed over the crossbar. All square at the end and with neither able to make the most of their opportunities, a share of the spoils for Celta Vigo and Granada.

Celta Vigo 0-0 Granada

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes will reportedly be named the new manager of Real Sociedad on Sunday, after agreeing to join the Basque side on Saturday.

According to Spanish sports daily, AS, Moyes agreed to take over for former manager Jagoba Arrasate and the two sides are now working out the final details before making the official announcement on Sunday.

The report goes on to state that Moyes and Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay have held numerous conversations over the last few days with the Scottish coach believed to have flown in to San Sebastian to observe the club’s facilities and hold final talks.

Moyes’ contract will pay him €2 million per season for the remainder of the 2014-15 season and two additional seasons until 2017, where the club will have an option to extend his contract even further.

Real Sociedad are determined to allow the players to focus for Sunday’s match against reigning La Liga champions, Atletico Madrid and will not make the official announcement until after the match.

Moyes is then expected to lead Monday morning’s training session and will be formally presented that afternoon.

Additional reports suggested that Moyes had asked Phil Neville to come to San Sebastian and be his assistant manager, but the former Manchester United star declined, choosing to continue his career as a journalist and commentator.

Gary McAllister is now the favourite to assist Moyes in his new endeavour.

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid team ensured they stay top of La Liga this evening, after breezing past city neighbours Rayo Vallecano by five goals to one at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It took less than ten minutes for Real Madrid to edge ahead in front of their home fans. An uncharacteristic giveaway by Roberto Trashorras was mercilessly punished by the home side, after Toni Kroos had gladly taken the ball off the Rayo captain’s hands. He played a quick one-two with Ronaldo, before sliding one across the box for the returning Bale to tap home. Hardly the start that Paco Jémez would have been hoping for.

Although an early Real Madrid goal at the Bernabéu can often signal the start of a rampage by Los Blancos, it didn’t quite prove to be the case in the first half. The visitors responded well to Gareth Bale’s opener, pushing higher up the pitch and going in search of an immediate equaliser. Nothing more than you’d expect from a Paco Jémez team really.

Baptistão and Bueno had long-range shots to force Keylor Navas into action shortly after, with the latter almost giving the Costa Rican goalkeeper a real problem with the revolutions of a fierce strike. Then on the half hour mark, Rayo carved out their best chance to date, as Baptistão skidded a header just narrowly past Navas’s post. Quini, who had been substituted a little earlier following an injury to Insua, whipped in a dangerous ball from the right, while Baptistão managed to get in front of his defender to almost head Rayo level.

Then just as Rayo looked like they were growing into the game, Real Madrid doubled their lead from a James Rodríguez corner. The Colombian’s delivery was converted into the top corner off the thigh of Sergio Ramos, although it remains to be seen just how much he knew about it. It was the Real Madrid captain’s 50th goal for the club, and it looked like it might have just put the game out of the reaches of the visitors before half time.

It appeared that the home side had such thoughts themselves, and had started to relax as they waited for the referee’s whistle. Because in the 44th minute, Ancelotti’s team handed Rayo the gift of all gifts. Navas had collected a corner and thrown short to James in an attempt to get a quick play moving, but the 23-year-old immediately halted and tried to play back towards goal. His pass was extremely short though, allowing Baptistão to nip in and square a pass for Bueno in front of an open goal. The former Real Madrid man slotted in calmly, while Navas and Pepe laid on the ground getting in to a tangle trying to prevent the goal. It was a highly embarrassing one to concede for Real Madrid, but one that Rayo gladly accepted as they sensed a way back into the game in the second half.

They started well after the restart too, establishing some good field position inside the Real Madrid half. They had the ball in the back of the net in the 55th minute too through Baptistão, but his goal was ruled out for being marginally offside. If Rayo thought that was a cruel incidence, Real Madrid were in no mood for sympathy. They went straight back up the other end after, while Ronaldo set up Kroos for the home side’s third. The German midfielder curled a low shot nicely into Álvarez’s left hand corner, although the Rayo keeper will have been disappointed to have been beaten from there.

After all of Rayo’s good work up until Kroos’s goal, the game was entirely out of reach just minutes after. Ronaldo grabbed himself another assist in the 59th minute, squaring one across goal for Karim Benzema to tap home and make it 4-1. Replays concluded that the French striker was a good few yards offside, but the decision still stood in the eyes of officials.

The result was sealed but Real Madrid still looked hungry for goals. Bale smashed a volley off the crossbar as the game approached the 80th minute, just before Ronaldo finally grabbed a goal on the night. Following a quick counter-attacking move, the free-scoring forward cut inside and smashed one low at Álvarez. The ball squirmed under the goalkeeper, in what was a quite embarrassing attempt by the Rayo stopper, but Ronaldo wasn’t complaining by any means.

A 5-1 scoreline was in fact quite a harsh scoreline on the brave Rayo Vallecano, but it’s a sign of the power that Real Madrid possess in current times, as Los Blancos ensures they maintain their status as La Liga leaders.

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Neither Getafe nor Elche could create any clear openings inside the area of the other, with the majority of efforts coming from distance. Without either keeper caused any real problems, the two sides had to settle for a share of the points.

Elche made the brighter start at the Coliseum, showing more control of the ball and attacking purpose. Getafe were holding firm at the back though and despite the dominance of the visitors, the first clear chance on goal didn’t come until the 17th minute, with Jonathas firing over the crossbar.

Getafe gradually began to improve beyond the mid-way point in the first half, but their initial opportunities on goal came from a distance, as both Yoda and Lafita were unsuccessful with long-range efforts.

After a spell of the two sides battling for the ball in midfield and with few chances, eventually Lacen had a crack at goal for Getafe, but again it was from distance, but with the outcome and the score remaining the same. Whilst the home side were now dominating, it was the turn of Elche to be resolute at the back until the half-time whistle.

Cosmin Contra made his first change at the interval, with Diego Castro replacing Hinestroza and Getafe had the first sniff at goal, as the game resumed. Lafita making a headed connection following a corner, but Tyton able to save comfortably. Elche then had quick chance in the 48th minute, after an initial free-kick was cleared, with the ball falling for Jonathas to strike, but without hitting the target.

Elche had the next chance following a good move, Cristian Herrera with a great opportunity to score, but Guaita reacted well with his save. Getafe made their second change in the 56th minute, with Sammir on for Sarabia.

Beyond the hour mark, Jonathas tried his luck from distance, but no joy there for Elche and the game continued without either side able to change the scoreboard. The final substitution from Getafe came in the 69th minute, with Babá on for Yoda, whilst Elche made their first a moment later, with Coro on for Cristian Herrera.

Fajr fired just over for Elche in the 75th minute, another effort from distance, whilst Sammir couldn’t hit the target for Getafe either, just wide of the upright, though these were the two closest occasions for either of the two sides so far.

Into the final ten minutes and Elche made their second change, as Aarón came on for Fajr. Getafe were doing most of the pressing and Lafita couldn’t hit the target, with two chances at his feet. The third and final substitution from Elche, as Álvaro replaced Víctor in the 89th minute.

As the game headed into stoppage time, Escudero struck a free-kick over the crossbar for Getafe, whilst Coro couldn’t get a clean strike behind an effort for Elche. Those would prove to be the final opportunities before the final whistle and in the end, neither side really merited more than the point each they shared.

Getafe 0-0 Elche

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Espanyol rallied late in the game to recover from a first-half striker from Mario for Villarreal, throwing everything forward in the final minutes and snatching a 90th minute goal from Colotto, to salvage a point from the jaws of defeat.

Little flowing play and plenty of interruptions marked the opening ten minutes between Espanyol and Villarreal, including a heated verbal exchanged between Sergio García and Gabriel, with the referee managing to cool things down without producing any cards.

The first clear chance came from Villarreal in the 12th minute, as Trigueros crossed from the right and though the Espanyol defenders managed to clear, the ball dropped for Uche, but he couldn’t strike his effort cleanly. Scrappy, the game continued with little precision and both sides guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply.

Whilst it didn’t seem likely a goal would arrive any time soon, given the lack of work for the two keepers to do, eventually Villarreal opened the scoring with a well crafted goal in the 26th minute. Mario and Jonathan creating the opening for Vietto to squeeze the ball past Casilla.

From there the visitors began to take more control, showing more certainty with their forward moves as Casilla in the Espanyol goal was kept busy as Mario and Vietto came close to adding a second. When the home side did managed to launch a promising counter, Caicedo couldn’t do anything with the final ball, his turn snuffed out quickly by the Villarreal defence.

Sergio García was the best outlet for Espanyol passed the half-hour mark, but after beating two Villarreal markers and getting himself inside their area, Gabriel was there to make a timely intervention. Gradually the home side were getting more forward momentum going, but lacking precision with the final pass, or strong defending from the visitors. Only corners were gained by Espanyol running up to the interval, but they couldn’t make the most of those.

Both managers opted for changes at half-time. Dorado replaced Gabriel at the back for Villarreal, whilst Espanyol sent on Abraham for Víctor Álvarez. The home side managed their first shot on target in the 48th minute, Colotto straight into the hands of Asenjo.

Neither side was seemingly able to string many consecutive passes together, with much of the balls sent forward in either direction, of the longer variety and creating little danger. The game remaining balanced through to the hour mark, when Espanyol made their second change, with Stuani on for Caicedo.

Uche should have double the lead for Villarreal in the 62nd minute, after getting into a great position and through on the Espanyol keeper, but his finish was weak and easy for Casilla to claim. At the other end moments later, a good corner opportunity for Espanyol, though Colotto couldn’t hit the target as he lost his marker at the far post.

Villarreal made their second change in the 65th minute, a straight swap for the misfiring Uche, replaced by Giovani Dos Santos. Defences were remaining strong and as play switched from either end, few chances could be carved out. The third and final Villarreal change game in the 71st minute, with Pina replacing Cheryshev. Espanyol followed suit shortly after in the 75th minute, with Arbilla on for Javi López.

With many stoppages for minor fouls, plus neither team still showing any real precision in control or passing, the game headed into the final ten minutes, as Villarreal held onto their narrow advantage. Asenjo suffered a nasty landing when he collided with his own defender Dorado, leaping for an aerial ball. At first he was immobile and it looked serious, but following treatment from the physios, he recovered enough to continue.

When play resumed, Espanyol pushed forward again, looking for the equaliser. Stuani went down theatrically inside the Villarreal area, but after he and Sergio García protested to the referee when nothing was awarded, both collected yellow cards for their troubles.

Espanyol through everything they could forward in the final moments, still desperately to get a goal. Right in the final minute of normal time and after sustained pressure, they got it. Sergio García with a cross into the area, an initial save from Ansejo, but the Villarreal keeper could do nothing to stop the finish from Colotto on the rebound. Espanyol pushed hard for a winner in the final moments of stoppage time, but the visitors managed to hang on for at least a point.

Espanyol 1-1 Villarreal

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Sevilla and Levante both battled hard at the Sánchez-Pizjuan. Sevilla had the lead in the first half, but play was detained numerous times throughout to treat the wounded combatants. Levante levelled late in the second half, ahead of a frantic eight minutes of stoppage time.

There was an early scare for Sevilla when Levante almost pushed themselves ahead in just the 3rd minute of play at the Sánchez-Pizjuán. Casadesús controlling well inside the area, after a deflected cross from Nikos, but Carriço there to make a crucial clearance off the line. The home side duly responded though and a moment later after a good move forward, Denis Suárez caught site of goal and was just wide of the post with his drilled effort.

Half-chances followed for Sevilla, as they sought to take control of the game, with Bacca finding his path to goal blocked by Juanfran, then Deulofeu wayward with his finish after good work from Denis Suárez to craft the opening. Levante had no intention of being bystanders though and in the 12th minute, Ivanschitz worked his way into the rival area and appeared to be brought down, but all he got for his troubles was a yellow card for protesting, the referee seeing no penalty to award. Another good chance came the way of the visitors in the 16th minute, as Sissoko strode forward to strike, but just wide of the post.

Sevilla had a great chance in the 20th minute, ever dangerous from set-pieces as Arribas rose to connect his head with a corner, but Mariño in the Levante goal reacted well, reaching out his palm to stop what would have been a certain goal. At the other end though, there were concerns a couple of moments later for Beto. The Sevilla keeper leapt to punch clear a Levante free-kick, colliding with team-mate Krychowiak in the process. Several moments of treatment delayed play, but eventually Beto was declared well enough to continue.

Momentum swung once more in favour of Sevilla and from their next attack, just after the half-hour point, they also had the lead. Deulofeu with a good first touch to control, a lovely weighted cross towards the far post and there was the other winger, Vitolo, to make the finish.

Levante looked to respond and pressured well, but just couldn’t find a way through the Sevilla defence, with set-pieces the only route to getting the ball into the rival area. Following a brief foray forward from Coke, with an effort trapped comfortably by Mariño, the visitors once more continued to seek an equaliser, as the fourth official displayed six added minutes of stoppage time. Before the end of the half, they came close, Rubén García a particular threat for Levante. First he fed a good cross for Casadesús, only for the forward to be blocked well by Carriço, then another ball into the area for Barral, who saw his effort saved by Beto.

The Portuguese keeper remained on the pitch for Sevilla as play resumed for the second half, whilst the home side also attacked with more purpose, forcing Levante into full retreat. Vitolo showing skill to lose his marker and setting up a great chance for Coke arriving on the overlap, but somehow managing to miss the target. Denis Suárez then crafting another good opportunity in the 49th minute, slotting the ball for Bacca to strike on the half-volley, but also off-target.

Levante were the first to make a change in the 54th minute, as Alcaraz sent on El Zhar for an ineffective Barral. Their next opportunity came from a free-kick and from some considerable distance, but Ivanschitz took a pop and almost caught Beto by surprise. Sevilla took charge once more though and should have had their second goal. Denis Suárez threading the pass for Bacca to run onto, around keeper Mariño and to strike at goal from a narrow angle, but Juanfran was back in time to clear off the line.

At the other end in the 57th minute, Beto was again in the wars after a collision with a nother of his team-mates, Carriço this time. Shrugging off the blow after some more treatment from the physio, he was sore, but able to continue. When Sevilla did make their first change in the 65th minute, it was for an outfield player, as Aleix Vidal replaced Deulofeu. Levante responded next with their second move from the bench, as Iván López replaced Juanfran, who had collected a yellow card moments earlier.

A nasty crunch between El Zhar and Arribas detained play for a few moments, with the Sevilla player seeming the worse for wear. Both were able to continue however. More changes followed and looking for extra potency in attack, Emery sent on Gameiro for Denis Suárez. Levante followed suit as Alcaraz replaced Rubén García with Xumetra.

Levante pressed their hosts into retreat as the game headed into the final stretch and in the 80th minute, got their reward with the equaliser. Ivanschitz sending a corner into the danger area, Beto unable to deal with it and Casadesús left completely free for a simple finish. A mistake from the Portuguese keeper and Sevilla had lost their advantage.

Emery made his third and final change in the 82nd minute, as Navarro replaced Tremoulinas and Sevilla went hunting the winner they should already have scored on several previous occasions through the game. Bacca forced a ball into the danger area, with Vyntra just managing to clear. A glorious chance then squandered by Gameiro, after Vitolo and Bacca combined to engineer a great opening.

Given all the stoppages throughout the second half for treatment to various players, there was hardly any surprise when the fourth official displayed eight minutes added time. Aleix Vidal set up another good chance for Gameiro, but this time the Frenchman struck his finish into the side netting. More delays to play as Navarro caught a boot to the head from Xumetra, who collected a yellow card. The Sevilla defender returning to the pitch a moment later with his head bandaged.

Madness inside the Levante area in the final moment of the game, as they couldn’t clear, almost like pinball between the players before Coke struck for Sevilla, only for Mariño to make an excellent save. Sevilla trying again with their next attack, Navarro speculatively from the corner of the area, but comfortably held by the Levante keeper. After eight minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle came at last.

Sevilla 1-1 Levante

Re: Jornada 11 - primera division

Reigning champions Atlético Madrid slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of manager-less Real Sociedad this evening, after the Basque outfit came from behind to steal all three points with a late Aggiretxe winner.

Barely ten minutes were on the board when the visitors took the lead. After a respectable start by both sides, it was a moment of genius by Raúl García that unlocked the door for Atlético to go ahead. Following a knockdown by Juanfran out wide on the right, García hit an early and perfectly-weighted cross towards the back post, leaving Mandžukić with a tap in when the situation had looked relatively safe just seconds before.

Real Sociedad have been in miserable form as of late, and when they went behind early to the champions, you could have been forgiven for expecting a one-sided affair. Surprisingly, it was only five minutes before the home side were back on level terms. Carlos Vela worked a little bit of room around twenty-five yards from goal, and curled a left-footed effort low into Moyá’s far post. It was uncharacteristic of Atlético to allow Vela so much room, but the Mexican still had a lot to do. After a run of poor form for the La Real attacker, the goal came as a reminder of the ability that he holds, and one that will certainly be important for the team under their new regime.

After getting back on level terms, Asier Santana’s team went in immediate search of another. A penalty shout involving the lively Vela came shortly after, but referee Izquierdo booked the 25-year-old for an alleged dive after he went to ground following Godín’s slide tackle. The Uruguayan failed to get anything on the ball but the referee was also dubious of the amount of contact he made with Vela.

Real Sociedad weren’t disheartened though, and they continued to press the champions with the renewed confidence that their equaliser brought. And they were almost gifted the chance to go ahead in the 35th minute, after a rare mistake by Miranda sent Agirretxe clear through on goal. The Brazilian defender tried to play back to Moyá but didn’t notice the La Real striker in his path, as Aggiretxe pounced and rounded Moyá to find himself an empty net. Fortunately for Miranda, Godín had made a lung-busting run to get back and heroically clear the ball off the line just as it looked to be rolling in.

It was indicative of the flow of the game following Real Sociedad’s equaliser. Atlético had to hang on by the skin of their teeth at times, as the hosts made the very most of the momentum that Vela’s goal brought. Under caretaker boss Asier Santana, the team looked immediately more united and confident in their ability, while it remained to be seen if they could keep it up against the notoriously resilient Atlético, even if they were slightly under par in the first period.

Five minutes into the restart, La Real were handed a massive boost in their quest for a much-needed win. Atlético left back had been booked in the 48th minute when he brought down Vela with a slide tackle wide on the right. His teammates protested but the referee had made up his mind – Atlético were going to have to play the second half with ten men.

Even with a one man deficit, the task still remained a significant one for Real Sociedad. The home side had to be patient, but they would eventually be rewarded as the game approached its conclusion. Atlético settled with two blocks of four, which held out until the 83rd minute when an excellent Aggiretxe header stole all three points for the caretaker boss Asier Santana. The Real Sociedad striker had got in front of Miranda to meet a wicked cross from the left hand side – one which nestled nicely in the bottom corner past the dive of Moyá.

Atlético were too far gone to muster a response by that point. Tired and frustrated, the amount of cautions told the story… almost ten including Siqueira’s two. It was a bad night for the La Liga champions, and one that they’ll be desperate to move on from as quickly as possible.

Real Sociedad 2-1 Atlético Madrid