Re: Jornada 18 primera division

The relegation ‘six pointer’ between Levante and Deportivo La Coruña finished goalless at the Estadi Ciutat de València this evening – a contest which will be largely remembered for a lack of ruthlessness in attacking areas from all involved.

In a game between the 16th and 17th placed teams ahead of kick-off, the important nature of the game for both sides made for a largely tentative affair in the first half. Clear-cut chances were few and far between for the Primera División strugglers, but even so, both managers will have felt they had opportunities to go into the break in the ascendency.

David Barral had a golden chance for Levante inside two minutes in fact, after a quick start to the game found Deportivo sleeping from an Ivanschitz corner. The Austrian’s set piece found its way to Barral at the back post, who had escaped the reaches of everyone inside the box, but his free header fell tamely wide.

At the other end, a penalty shout for Deportivo could have seen them awarded the game’s next best opportunity to go ahead. After catching Levante on the counter attack, Isaac Cuenca’s cross may well have hit David Navarro on the arm, but referee Pérez Montero waved away such claims within an instant.

The visitors remained marginally on top for the remainder of the first half however, and did have the ball in the back of the net in the 40th minute. Unfortunately for them, Lopo’s header was ruled out for offside after he nodded in a cross from Ivan Cavaleiro deep on the left.

Despite regrouping at half time, the second half brought a lot more of the same patterns of play. Víctor Fernández’s team edged the general run of play, but were wasteful in the chances they created for the most part. Toché, Cuenca and Cavaleiro all lacked composure when it mattered most, leaving Mariño with just one save to make out of three decent chances created by the visitors.

At the other end, Levante’s attacking abilities weren’t up to much at all, as the home crowd let them know towards the latter stages of the contest. Lucas Alcaraz did introduce Rubén García and Nabil El Zhar late on, but it did little to gee up his team’s threat in the final third.

The game represented a missed opportunity for either side to add a little bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom three, although Víctor Fernández will likely be the happier manager this evening.

Levante 0-0 Deportivo La Coruña

Re: Jornada 18 primera division

The recently-crowned World Champions returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Espanyol this afternoon, after first half strikes from James Rodríguez and Gareth Bale offered little hope of a route back into the game for the visitors.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s team coming into the game on the back of two consecutive losses, their welcome of Espanyol represented an opportunity to get back to winning ways. But despite that, the visitors surprisingly got off on the better foot in the immediate moments following the first whistle.

Caicedo broke into Real Madrid’s box within a minute at the Santiago Bernabéu, while a little more composure may have seen him find a teammate better placed to open the scoring. Not long after, Sergio García tested Iker Casillas from outside the box, as the away side registered their second attempt of the game while the hosts had yet to trouble Kiko Casilla at the other end.

Espanyol’s joy didn’t last long though, as Benzema threatened on ten minutes with a ferocious volley that hit the post, while Ancelotti’s team did make their chances count just two minutes later. Bale picked out Ronaldo over the top, while a lovely cushioned cutback from the Portuguese winger put it on a plate for James Rodríguez. A well-timed run into the box was found expertly by Ronaldo, and the midfielder converted well from close range.

As is so often, if you concede a goal away at the home of Real Madrid, another usually isn’t too far away. That was no different this afternoon, as Gareth Bale made it 2-o just short of the half hour mark. And while the first goal was impressive in its own way, the second, while completely different, was equally satisfying. Around 25 yards from goal, Bale and Ronaldo stood over a free kick, but the Welshman took the reigns to devastating effect – crashing a left-footed strike in off the post as Casilla stood rooted to the spot.

You could be forgiven for expecting somewhat of a second half onslaught by the home side, but the reality of the situation changed less than ten minutes into the restart. Fabio Coentrão was given a straight red card for what was deemed as a dangerous challenge on José Cañas, although both players appeared to be equally as committed. Ancelotti immediately hauled off James and replaced him with Nacho, while Benzema was sacrificed for the midfield protection of Illarramendi not long after.

Even down to ten men however, the World Champions still weren’t quite finished with the scoreboard. Substitute Nacho bagged Real’s third of the evening, converting powerfully with his left foot after controlling a cross from Arbeloa at the back post.

Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol

Re: Jornada 18 primera division

After missing a penalty in the first half, Fabián Orellana made up for his woes with a second half strike to earn his side a point at home to Valencia.

Eduardo Berizzo’s team entered the game without a league win since November, but got off to a much brighter start at home to Valencia tonight. They went close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute, when Orellana took advantage of a loose pass by Otamendi in the visitors backline. Unfortunately for the Chilean, his powerful strike from inside the box was well dealt with by Diego Alves, who pushed the effort well to safety.

After a highly impressive victory over Real Madrid last time out in the league, Nuno Espírito Santo’s team looked to be experiencing somewhat of a miniature hangover. Celta appeared to be winning all of the loose balls, while they struggled to settle into any form of a rhythm for the most part. They didn’t help their cause in the 27th minute either, when Otamendi brought down Charles in the penalty area and conceded a spot kick against his team.

But when you’re down, everything seems to go against you. Diego Alves pulled off an impressive stop to thwart Orellana from the spot, and hand his team a lifeline after a lacklustre start. Ultimately, it proved to inspire his team, who then ensured they were the team who went ahead at the half. After cutting out a pass on the halfway line, Rodrigo drove at the Celta defence before firing a vicious shot towards goal. Although it appeared to be almost directly at Sergio Álvarez in the Celta goal, the speed of the strike saw it squirm underneath the goalkeeper to leave him looking rather red-faced.

It didn’t take Celta too long to strike level following the restart however, with substitute Nolito bringing some renewed enthusiasm to the home side’s attacking prowess. Their equaliser arrived just on the hour mark, when Orellana made up for his first half penalty miss, stroking in a volley at the back post after a corner from out on the left. It was a deserved goal for the home side, who immediately set their intentions of going for a potential winner.

They continued to knock on the door while Valencia came up with very little at the other end, and almost got what they wanted with just minutes to go. A Nolito cross was met by Orellana at the back post, while his cushion back across goal was just inches away from a despairing Charles who couldn’t quite make contact.

Celta Vigo 1-1 Valencia

Re: Jornada 18 primera division

Villarreal edged themselves ahead with the final action of the first-half, but couldn’t resist as Málaga were first angered by a disallowed goal in the second-half, which spurred them on to their equaliser moments later.

Málaga opened the encounter with clear intentions of forcing Villarreal back into their half of the pitch, looking for an early lead at La Rosaleda. The home side dominated the first few minutes of play, with a corner in the third minute providing an excellent chance for Amrabat, but he couldn’t react quickly enough in front of goal and Mario was able to clear for the visitors.

Villarreal soon started to settle in though and ever dangerous breaking forward with speed, they sought to open up the home side down the flanks. A cross into the Málaga area in the 7th minute had Kameni flapping at the ball, but fortunately he was able to grab it at the second attempt, with Vietto lurking and ready to pounce.

The game was now more finely balanced and as play continued, there were quick chances at both ends. Amrabat struck powerfully and from distance in the 12th minute, looking to catch Asenjo off his guard, though the Villarreal keeper reacted well to palm the ball away for a corner. After that broke down, the visitors took the opportunity to get forward quickly, with Uche firing in a good cross for Cheryshev to head at goal, but just over the crossbar.

Good chances became a rarity as the two sides battled for possession and whilst Cheryshev had another effort, it was from distance and wayward in the 20th minute. Antunes struck powerfully from range at the other end in the 22nd minute, though Asenjo was down well to get a firm hand behind the ball.

As the game reached the half-hour mark, the game remained balanced. A free-kick provided Málaga with an opportunity in the 31st minute, Dude setting up Antunes to strike on the volley, but well off target. Perhaps the best chance of the game thus far came for Uche at the other end for Villarreal in the 34th minute, but the Nigerian couldn’t find a way past Kameni with his effort, as the Málaga keeper managed to save with an outstretched boot.

Villarreal tightened up towards the interval and were making it difficult for Málaga to find any spaced or create further openings, forced to move the ball around at the back, if they wanted to retain possession. The visitors however were looking more dangerous when they were going forward and deep into first-half stoppage time, Marcelino’s side took the lead. Cheryshev found a way past Rosales to fire in the cross and after the Málaga defenders couldn’t clear away the danger, Jonathan Dos Santos there with the finish, although Kameni perhaps should have protected his near-post better.

Málaga had a great chance to get back on level terms within a minute of the restart, as Duda crossed dangerously and Asenjo wasn’t convincing with his punch clear, allowing the ball to fall for Darder to strike with the Villarreal keeper unable to recover, but over the crossbar. The visitors were otherwise remaining tight, but Gracia’s side were clearly keen to get themselves back into the game, as Amrabat had the next chance in the 52nd minute, trying to craft a solo opening for himself, which ended up with him shooting just wide of the Villarreal goal.

In the 57th minute there was anger and consternation amongst the Málaga fans, when they thought their side had the equaliser. A shot fro Rosales from outside the area was blocked by the Villarreal defence, but whilst there were two players in offside positions, the ball fell for Darder, clearly onside and who made the finish. The referee seemed to initially feel the goal was fine, as the Málaga players celebrated, but the linesman had his flag up. Following consultation between him and the referee, the goal was disallowed. Captain Duda was cautioned for his angry protests.

After that debatable decision, Málaga opted for their first change of the game, sending on Juanmi for Samuel and clearly fired up, the home side pressed forward. On the hour mark, they grabbed the equaliser they’d already deserved to have. A long ball forward, Gabriel uncertain for Villarreal and Amrabat taking full advantage as Asenjo raced off his line, clinical with the finish.

Villarreal had it all to do again now and in the 65th minute, Marcelino made his first move from the bench, with Vietto replaced by Giovani Dos Santos, who was immediately in the thick of the action. Just offside with his first attack, following a lovely ball from Bruno, then almost gifted a goal by Angeleri, whose headed backpass was poor and Kameni was only just able to get hands to it, much to his relief. Málaga made their second change in the 70th minute, as Castillejo was replaced by Horta, as Gracia looked for his explosive pace to make an impact. Villarreal responded in the 73rd minute with their next change, as Moi Gómez came on for Cheryshev, who hadn’t been able to match his efforts of the first half.

Play switched quickly from end to end, as both showed their hunger to claim the three points. Villarreal coming closest with two opportunities, as Mario saw a shot saved by Kameni, then Uche was blocked as he tried to find a way through. The final substitutions for the two sides came one after the other in the 77th minute, as Villarreal sent on Pina for Trigueros in midfield, whilst Málaga introduced Luis Alberto for Duda.

Málaga couldn’t find a way through the robust defending of Villarreal, despite the best efforts and intentions of Amrabat, with his dangerous runs, whilst Uche threatened at the other end with the game heading into the final ten minutes, but Antunes was focused and prevented the striker from causing any damage with a forced attempt at goal.

Recio saw a header saved by Asenjo, then Villarreal went into the final minutes applying pressure for a winner, gaining corners, but unable to find the decider. Neither side will be content with a draw, having both looked for victory, but Villarreal will perhaps be a little more content than Málaga, having denied their hosts the opportunity of catching them up amongst the European positions in La Liga.
Málaga 1-1 Villarreal

Re: Jornada 18 primera division

Último el Granada. A ver si sirve esto para que se vaya Caparrós, 14 partidos sin ganar.

Re: Jornada 18 primera division

After an agonising wait for their third league win, Fran Escribá’s Elche snatched a surprise 2-1 win away in Bilbao this evening, thanks to goals from Víctor Rodríguez and Fayçal Fajr either side of half time.

The opening stages of the game belonging to the home side entirely however, with Mikel Rico setting the tone inside two minutes with a well-hit volley that stung the palms of Tyton. They continued with convincing pressure right up until just after the quarter hour mark, where there were then dealt a real body blow. On a rare foray forward from Elche, Víctor Rodríguez managed to bundle his way into the box and dink one over Iraizoz on the stretch. Athletic players protested the build-up of the goal, where they claimed the Elche man had handled the ball, but the goal remained.

Athletic did respond to the goal briefly, although their first half threat looked to be posing the bottom club very little danger. Escribá’s men were extremely well organised, as the hosts struggled to break down the Elche backline. Aduriz did go close in the 33rd minute with a shot that hit the side-netting, but the only thing Valverde was left with was an important team talk on his hands.

His team left the half to a chorus of whistles at San Mamés, as they all but demanded a response from their team after the restart. Unfortunately for them, that’s now what they got. Elche took up the driving seat from the word go, and didn’t stop until they found themselves a precious second goal. It arrived in the 53rd minute when some feeble Athletic defending allowed Jonathas time to look up inside the box and pick out Fajr, who simply stroked the ball into the bottom corner past Iraizoz.

The situation looked bleak for Ernesto Valverde, who immediately responded with all three changes within ten minutes. And one of those proved to be inspired when Mikel San José struck within just over five minutes of entering the pitch. After the ball was cleared to him on the edge of the box, the big defender lashed a volley into the top corner, as San Mamés exploded for the first time in the game. Hope at last for the home fans.

Although hope is all they had. Their team pushed as hard as they could on what represented another off-day for Valverde’s men, but to no avail. Fran Escribá’s Elche now move off the foot of the table – a sight that finally offers some optimism for all connected with the club.

Athletic Club Bilbao 2-1 Elche

Re: Jornada 18 primera division

Arbitraje de lujo en Barcelona...

Re: Jornada 18 primera division

Los catalanes dando el cante...