Re: Jornada 17 primera división

Sevilla were extremely fortunate to win their first game of 2015 after being outplayed for much of the game by a Celta side reduced to 10 men midway through the first half

After a great 2014 for Sevilla, in which Unai Emery’s side finished 5th in La Liga and won the Europa League, the home side’s manager looked forward positively on 2015, with Champions League qualification the target for the Andalusians. They were, however, unimpressive despite a narrow victory against Eduardo Berizzo’s side.

In the first half, Sevilla failed to establish dominance with Celta showing a good early chance through Charles with the Brazilian shooting narrowly wide. This early play showed the theme for most of the game with the away side defying the odds with a fine performance.

In the 21st minute, however a turning point occured, asDenis Suarez raced clear for Sevilla on the half way line and was caught with a high challenge by Carles Planas who received a straight red card from the referee. This was followed ten minutes later with a direct free kick for Sevilla which Argentine defender Nicolas Pareja emphatically dispatched to give Sevilla the lead.

As the second half commenced, Emery visibly showed his displeasure to his sides performance from the touchline, and the coach was joined by the home fans who let their side know they were not happy with their teams sluggish performance. The Sevilla players failed to respond, however, with Celta continuing to show dominance in both possession and shots on goal, as in the 50th minute Celta hit the bar before a close free kick hit just wide led Emery to replace the ineffective Suarez with Argentine international Ever Banega, the player clearly being tasked with wrestling authority back from the vistors.

It took until the 59th minute for Carlos Bacca, top scorer in La Liga this season outside Barcelona and Real Madrid, to have Sevilla’s first dangerous shot on goal.

Towards the end of the game, with the Celta Vigo players legs tiring, Sevilla finally had some possesion of the ball, with their most dangerous chance being Jose Antonio Reyes twisting run resulting in a fine shot against the bar.

Sevilla saw the game out in a professional manner, and despite the fans disapproval of such a narrow victory over a side with a man less for so long, the side still earned the three points which took them into the Champions League positions, but gave Unai Emery plenty to ponder as he seeks to gain a place back in the European elite.

Sevilla 1-0 Celta Vigo

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

A slick but inefficient Atlético Madrid staved off Levante’s second-half fightback to secure the three points, with Antoine Griezmann scoring his fifth goal in two matches. The Spanish champions should have been home and dry within an hour, but squandered chances gave Levante hope until Diego Godin’s late header ended the contest.

From a psychological perspective, this fixture was always crucial to Atlético. Awaiting next are two gruelling weeks, with showdowns against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey sandwitching a La Liga trip to the Camp Nou. Stumbling at home to Levante, who were without a win in six games, would not be the best of starts.

Early on, few signs suggested that would happen. Looking to build on their 4-1 win in Bilbao before the festive break, Atlético stormed into attack with customary intensity and besieged Levante’s penalty area. In the 12th minute Diego Godin headed a free-kick across goal for Arda Turan to convert, but the assistant referee’s flag had been raised. Three minutes later Guilherme Siqueira’s cross found Mario Mandžukić, who steered his header wide.

Such developments appeared ominous for Levante. In the 17th minute, the opener came. Again it was Siqueira, running down the left; his deflected cross looped to the near post, where Antoine Griezmann rose to nod home his first. Torres could soon be seen smiling in the stands, while Diego Simeone roused the crowd.

Yet for the next 20 minutes, Levante weathered the storm. The visitors defended deep and compact, with a 20-yard-drive by Turan the only event of note. Then, in the 37th minute, Atlético created another chance. A quick move down the left ended with Tiago clipping in a cross; Loukas Vyntra’s attempted clearance only changed its direction, drawing a reaction save from Diego Mariño.

The second half was still young when Atlético doubled their lead. Once more, they created trouble down the flanks. In the 47th minute, a neat attack ended with Juanfran swinging in a cross from the touchline, and it found Mandžukić, whose header was kept out by Mariño. Yet the ‘keeper could only flap the ball back into the area and it ended with Griezmann, who nodded it over the line. Mariño got a hand to it, but not in time.

Not satisfied with two, Atlético kept bombing forward. The recipe was familiar. A few minutes after the goal, another delivery from the right searched out Mandžukić. He dove low to direct it at goal, but missed the target. Soon after, Juanfran crossed to the same man. The combative Croat headed it down for Griezmann to set up Tiago, whose placed shot was saved.

By now, it merely looked a question of how many Simeone’s men would get. Levante had not had a sniff. But football and logic rarely go hand in hand, and the visitors proceeded to pull one back. In the 62nd minute, after Víctor’s header had been cleared off the line, a driven cross from Iván López deflected off substitute Nabil El Zhar and into the net. The goalscorer had been on the pitch for two minutes.

Following that was a period of Levante pressure, but chances were few and far between. Instead Atlético wrapped up the victory. In the 82nd minute, a cross from Tiago was met by Godin, whose header sailed over a stranded Mariño and into an unguarded net. From there, the result was never in doubt.

Atlético Madrid 3-1 Levante

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

Malaga looked to start off 2015 with the same form in which they closed out 2014, while Almeria were hoping to put JIM’s tactics in action and rob their Andalusian rivals of three valuable points.

Almeria jumped off to the quick start but it was Malaga who would quickly assume control of the game and put pressure on Almeria’s defense.

While Malaga retained more of the possession, Almeria made efforts to try and get as close as they could every time they had the opportunity, keeping Malaga honest.

Almeria’s efforts finally paid of as Israeli international striker Tomer Hemed got on the board first, showing exceptional concentration while sliding the ball past Kameni.

The first half closed out with a brilliant stop by Julian on Samu, a shot that normally would’ve gone in rather than leaving Malaga at a disadvantage going into the break.

Almeria got off to a flying start in the second half, forcing Malaga manager Javi Gracia to make a double substitution to try and stimulate a faltering attack.

Gracia’s tactics proved effective as Samu finally scored the equaliser to keep things level with a 15 minutes remaining in the match.

However, Miguel Torres would be whistled for a questionable challenge on Hemed in the penalty area, allowing the Israeli to get his second goal of the evening, a penalty past Kameni.

Malaga had the wind taken out of their sails as they tried to come back yet again, but it was too late, as they were resigning to a point despite Almeria’s Michel seeing red and getting sent off in the final minute of the match.

Málaga 1-2 Almería

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

Deportivo La Coruña secured a valuable home win against Athletic Club Bilbao, thanks to a single goal mid-way through the first-half from Cavaleiro, pushing them three points above the relegation zone.

Although it was Athletic who had the first shot on target, but without the effort from Unai López causing keeper Fabricio any problems, Depor were the first to have the ball into the back of the net in the 4th minute. Much to the dismay of the home fans however, the finish from Toché was good, but also ruled offside and disallowed.

Neither side could really dominate play over the other and imprecisions were rife. José Rodríguez managed a strike on the volley for the home side in the 10th minute, but though it had the power, it lacked the direction and sailed well off the mark. At the other end, Viguera was threatening for the visitors, but couldn’t time his runs to beat the offside trap of Depor.

Toché was the next to sniff out a good chance, but after doing all the hard work for Depor, down the right and cutting inside well, his finish was tame and easy for Iraizoz to deal with. At the other end in the 19th minute, a glorious opportunity for Athletic to take the lead, but with the goal at his mercy, Viguera somehow managed to smash his shot wide.

Depor were getting closer to goal as play continued though and after Fariña saw an effort saved, the home side took the lead in the 25th minute. Great determination from Cavaleiro, winning the ball and punishing the indecision of the Athletic defence, then drilling a low shot beyond the reach of Iraizoz.

Athletic looked to respond, but struggled to find any continuity to their moves, as Depor remained intense and interrupted everything the visitors could try to string together.

For their own part as the game passed the half-hour mark, the home side were looking for a second goal, but Juan Domínguez couldn’t make the most of a pass slotted his way from Juanfran in the 32nd minute. They would suffer a blow however in the 35th minute, when Fariña was forced to retire from the game with a muscular injury, with Cuenca taking his place.

Between then and the interval, whilst Deportivo couldn’t create an more clear chances on goal, they resisted well when Athletic sought to make inroads of their own going forward, Viguera once more with the best opportunity, but weak in the finish and making for an easy save for Fabricio in the 43rd minute.

Needing to change something to see more from his side, Valverde had Athletic start the second half with Iraola on for Susaeta. As the game resumed, they began to show more purpose, pushing Depor back into retreat, though still without causing Fabricio anything troublesome to deal with, as Unai López blazed well off target from distance, then Viguera headed into the keeper’s hands.

Turning provider on the hour, Viguera produced the best opportunity of the second period so far, feeding Ibai Gómez for a chance at goal, but his effort glanced away from its intended target, with Depor defender Insua managing to get his body in the way. Although Athletic continued to insist, the equaliser just wasn’t coming and in the 67th minute they made their second change, as Beñat replaced Mikel Rico.

Having had to defend for much of the second-half, Depor too made another change to their attack in the 71st minute, sending on Postiga for Toché and hopeful he would help them further their lead. The home side pressured more but couldn’t find their way to goal, before the visitors made their third and final change, with young strike Williams on to bolster the Athletic attack, on for Unai López.

Heading into the final ten minutes, De Marcos had a great chance, completely free at the far post to receive a good cross from Balenziaga, but couldn’t steer his finish on target. A great opportunity wasted for Athletic. The next chance from the visitors was likewise wayward, as Ibai Gómez sailed one into the stand behind the goal.

Athletic kept probing, looking for ways through, but the Depor defence and particularly Insua remained alert. Williams had a wonderful chance to level in the 88th minute though, put clean through with a lovely ball from Beñat into the middle of the area, but he snatched at the finish and smashed it over the crossbar. Depor made their final move from the bench as time ran out, sending on Wilk for Cavaleiro, looking to defend the three points in their grasp.

Into stoppage time, Fabricio made a crucial save in a difficult position, after Balenziaga struck for goal and San José tried to apply the finish for Athletic. With the visitors throwing everything forward however, that left spaces open for the home side, as Postiga saw a shot blocked, then Iraola made a last ditch tackle to deny Cuenca the rebound.

That was the last opportunity of the encounter, earning Deportivo La Coruña a priceless three points, whilst Athletic Club Bilbao hardly made the improvements they were hoping to see in the New Year with.


Deportivo La Coruña 1-0 Athletic Club Bilbao

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

A remarkable first half saw Villarreal fire themselves two ahead, only for Elche to haul themselves back on level terms before the end of a frantic, high-tempo first half of attacking football. Inevitably the players seemed to have run out of steam in the second half, which couldn’t match the intensity of the first and the points were shared.

Elche started the game with plenty of enthusiasm, determined to lift themselves off the foot of the table, but the difference was precision when going forward, with Villarreal much more effective. A sixth minute chance for Cheryshev and the visitors almost gave them the lead, following good work from Mario with the cross and a touch from Uche, but Cisma reacted well to clear for a corner. The home side kept pushing though, as a free-kick provided them with a great chance to take the lead in the 7th minute, Pasalic planting the header towards goal following a free-kick, but Asenjo producing an excellent acrobatic save. Rodrigues fired into the side-netting and Jonathas fired into the hands of the Villarreal keeper as the rhythm of the game remained high.

Villarreal survived those scares however and in the 12th minute, it was they who took the lead. A quality team move, first-touch football at its finest with Cheryshev finding Moi Gómez inside the area, who made the final touch for Vietto to fire home with ease. The visitors had the bit between their teeth and sought to pile on more pressure and in the 17th minute, their efforts paid off. Villarreal breaking forward quickly with Mario on the right, whose dangerous ball into the area was met with a predatory finish from Uche.

Any thoughts that Elche were going to give up the fight, despite being two behind already were quickly dispelled. In the 20th minute they perhaps deserved to narrow the deficit, as Adrián took a pop from distance, superbly saved by Asenjo, who reacted marvellously again seconds later, also saving the rebound effort from Rodrigues. The Villarreal keeper was in outstanding form and from the resulting corner, again produced a superb reaction save to deny a header from Adrián.

Villarreal were lucky to have eleven men on the pitch in the 22nd minute, after Víctor Ruíz, already on a yellow card, once more clattered Fayçal, but referee Clos Gómez gave him the benefit of the doubt. Frustration would soon turn into something more positive though for Elche, when they pulled a goal back in the 27th minute. Hitting Villarreal on the counter-attack, Rodrigo hitting the byline and sending in a perfect cross for Jonathas to strike first-time.

Elche could have been level on the half-hour mark, but this time Jonathas couldn’t get enough force behind his strike, which allowed Gabriel enough time to clear off the line. Villarreal almost had a third with two swift chances, first with Damián making a crucial challenge to deny Uche, then Lombán off the line to stop an effort from Vietto, that had Tyton beaten. The equaliser, in the midst of what was a thrilling encounter, came for Elche in the 35th minute and was thoroughly deserved. Víctor Rodríguez controlling the ball well, before an excellent strike from outside the area that went in off the post, giving Asenjo absolutely no chance to save it.

The home side had hauled themselves back into the game, but that served to spur Villarreal into attacking action once more in the final moments of the half. Bruno headed wide, then Trigueros couldn’t hit the target following more good work from Mario down the right. Practically in the final minute of the half, another opportunity for the visitors, as Vietto showed great skill to open up the Elche defence, feeding a lovely ball to Cheryshev, but his finish was wayward. All square at the interval, after an exciting first half.

The second half began with quick bookings for either side, but it was Elche who showed the most danger going forward, firing dangerous crosses into the Villarreal area. A corner providing the clearest opportunity in the 52nd minute and the visiting defence scrambling the ball only half clear, but Rodrigues couldn’t make the most of it falling at his feet, firing over the crossbar.

The crosses kept coming from both flanks with Elche continuing to find dangerous avenues to attack the wide areas, but Villarreal managed to withstand the pressure, before having a good chance of their own in the 57th minute with Cheryshev, though Tyton was alert and able to clear to safety.

Play continued to switch from end to end until just beyond the hour, when Villarreal were the first to make a change from the bench, as Trigueros was replaced by Jonathan Dos Santos in midfield, who almost set up a third goal for his team in the 65th minute, but Elche keeper Tyton just about reached the ball before Vietto.

The pace and rhythm of the game was slowing compared to the first-half and that effort was taking its toll on both sets of players. The second change for Villarreal came in the 75th minute and with the second of the two brothers, as Uche was replaced in attack by Giovani Dos Santos. He was denied a good opportunity to score after a good cross from Jaume Costa almost reached him, only for Cisma to react swiftly with a timely interception. Elche made their first change in the 78th minute, looking to freshen their midfield with Aarón Ñíguez on for Víctor Rodríguez, but they still had more defending to do as Villarreal attackig with purpose, Lombán this time with a crucial interception before Vietto could strike.

Into the final ten minutes and Elche made their second change, as Coro replaced Rodrigues, then almost took the lead when Lombán got forward to strike, only for his effort to be deflected wide by Bruno. A moment later and at the other end, Jonathan Dos Santos fired at goal, but Cisma managed to put the ball out for a corner.

The intensity had returned to the game in the dying moments and Jonathas had a great chance in the 89th minute, forcing a superb save from Asenjo, although the play was deemed invalid with the Brazilian flagged just offside. Into stoppage time and it was the turn of Villarreal to make a late push, Cheryshev with one last opportunity, but he couldn’t hit the target in the 92nd minute. There was no time left for more and both sides had to settle for what had been an entertaining draw.


Elche 2-2 Villarreal

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

Atletico Madrid unveiled striker Fernando Torres to 45,000 fans at Vicente Calderon Stadium on Sunday.

Torres, 30, is returning to his boyhood club seven-and-a-half-years after leaving to join Liverpool.

His loan from AC Milan, which runs until the end of the season, does not become official until Monday but he watched Saturday's win over Levante.

"I was missing something to motivate me, something that I could only find here," said Torres.

Torres joined Serie A club AC Milan from Chelsea, who paid a then British record transfer fee of £50m to sign him from Liverpool in January 2011.

The Italian club confirmed a permanent deal for Torres, following its own initial two-year loan deal, during the Christmas period, but have loaned him to Atletico until the end of the season after Italy winger Alessio Cerci, 27, arrived from the Spanish side.

Torres, who scored 84 goals in 214 league appearances for Atletico from 2001-2007, could make his debut against Real Madrid in the first leg of a round-of-16 Copa del Rey tie on Wednesday.

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

Acabadísimo Caparrós, está ya en modo Clemente, tirando de pasado y de poca vergüenza para ir estafando a equipos.

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

En caída libre va el Granada. Caparrós ha ganado 15 partidos de los últimos 72 que ha dirigido.

Re: Jornada 17 primera división

Amidst the revelation that Elche players haven’t received their salaries for November and December, a third month without pay could see players legally request the termination of their contracts.

Sitting at the bottom of La Liga is just one problem for Elche at the moment and whilst that situation can always be turned around, there’s a more immediate and pressing issue for the club to deal with.

Following reports that players have not received their salaries for November and December, during a press call on Tuesday, 32-year-old full-back Domingo Cisma admitted that the debt they’re owed is a “concern” for the players, but added, “thanks to God as footballers are well paid, so we can go a few months without being covered.”

Cisma also prefers to focus on footballing matters, rather than dwell on the delicate financial situation at the club however, assuring, “we’re trying to keep ourselves apart from all the noise and not lose our strength because of these things.”

The harsh reality however is that if players fail to receive their salaries for a third consecutive month, they’re legally within their rights to terminate their contracts and leave Elche for free, under employment regulations for footballers in Spain.

The club is anxiously trying to secure finances from a loan agreement, which is expected to cover any and all immediate debts, but hasn’t yet materialised. Should those funds not arrive by the end of January and if the club fails to make salary payments for a third consecutive month, it will then be a matter of whether unpaid players wish to sever their ties with Elche, or if they’ll opt to remain patient.

Despite their current league position, there are players who have attracted no shortage of interest, which would lead other clubs hovering like vultures, keeping a beady eye on the situation and ready to pick at the bones of an Elche in crisis. Brazilian striker Jonathas has been impressive individually and there have reportedly already been plenty of enquiries for his services. In the worse case scenario, should he go unpaid for a third straight month at the end of January, he could choose to walk away from the club, which means Elche would receive absolutely nothing for one of their most prized assets.

Whilst an amicable situation is expected to be reached before then, there are currently serious concerns and the unpaid players will be entirely within their rights to leave. This coming at a time where manager Fran Escribá is hoping that funds will be available to strengthen his squad, rather than see it weakened further.

The current board of directors at Elche, lead by club president José Sepulcre, who is currently entrenched in a number of personal legal battles, has received much flak from disgruntled fans, many of whom are calling for the board to be dismissed or to step down from their positions. There is strong criticism from the stands for what fans believe to be mismanagement of the club they support, along with what they consider to be a decline in the fortunes of the team, rather than building on the success of surviving in the top-flight last season.