La Liga Weekly Round Up – 12th may
We head in to the final round of La Liga with almost everything settled into place, there is only one more team to be relegated, but five teams will fight for survival in the final round.
Atlético Madrid are back in the Champions League after 11 years and can steal Barcelona’s third place if “los culés” fail to win their last match. Two things to be highlighted in this round, Barcelona’s defeat at home to Mallorca and David Villa’s hat trick for Valencia against Murcia. All the action reported by Felipe Bazon.
Villareal 2 vs. 0 Espanyol
Another great victory for Villareal, the “Yellow Submarine” capitalising twice in the first half.
Javi Venta got on the end of a Capdvilla’s cross to put Villareal one up. Minutes later Nihat dribbled through Espanyol’s defence to set up Robert Pires and the Frenchman hammered home the second. In the second half Villareal played a possession game to secure the three points.
Osasuna 2 vs. 1 Murcia
Playing at home and against relegated side Murcia, Osasuna just managed to hold on to the three very important points to maintain their La Liga status for next season.
Osasuna grabbed an early lead through Dady in the first minute, the early goal helped Osasuna to take control of the match. Osasuna’s second came in the second half, Juanfran volleyed home a cross from Hugo Viana, on loane from Valencia, to secure Osasuna’s victory. In stoppage time Murcia managed to get one back through Abel, but it was too little, too late.
Levante 1 vs. 5 Valencia
Valencia secured their La Liga status for next season after thrashing relegated side Levante. David Villa, the Spanish international who is connected with a host of English clubs scored a hat trick and assisted the other two goals from Mata and Angulo. Levante managed to score a consolation goal through Serrano.
Almería 0 vs. 2 Recreativo
Recreativo won an important match away from home. In need of the three points to assist their future in La Liga, Recreativo started the match with a very offensive formation and soon capitalised. The first was scored byJes ús Vázquez and before the break Sinama doubled the lead. With no signs of a reaction from Almería. Recreactio slowed the pace and played a possession game to take home the three points.
Zaragoza 2 vs. 2 Real Madrid
Zaragoza’s nightmare will go in to the final round after this draw at home against Champions Real Madrid.
Thing were looking good when Zaragoza went one up through Oliveira, but Zaragoza’s happiness didn’t last very long Van Nistelroy equalised for Real Madrid and in the second half Robinho scored his first and the second for “los blancos”. Things were looking bad and the crowd were losing hope, but Sergio Fernandéz appeared to save the day with five minutes to go. After a one on one between Sergio Garcia and Dudek the Polish goal keeper denied Sergio’s opportunity but the other Sergio this time Fernandez was there to touch home the equaliser.
Valladolid 0 vs. 0 Getafe
Sharing the points wasn’t fair for Valladolid, the home side played a far better game than Getafe but it wasn’t the night for Valladolid’s strikers, missing chance after chance, resulting in a nil nil draw. But the draw was good enough for both sides to secure their La Liga status for next season.
Betis 0 vs. 2 Sevilla
Sevilla commanded this match from start to finish and won the “Andaluz” derby.
Luis Fabiano grabbed the lead for Sevilla in the first half and Fazio double the lead in the second half. But Sevilla’s attention was turned to what was happening in Madrid between Atlétio Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña. If the capital’s team lost, Sevilla would still had a chance to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Barcelona 2 vs. 3 Mallorca
In his last game at the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s coach Rijkaard couldn’t have wished for a worse game than this one. After going two nil up, Mallorca managed to turn things around and win the match in the third minute of extra time.
Thierry Henry scored the first for Barça with the only action worth commenting about in the first half. Eto’o doubled the lead for Barcelona in the second half, but then Mallorca reacted. Boja Valero scored the first, Webó the second and when both teams seemed to be happy with the draw, up sprung the archer, Guiza. He controlled a pass pinpointed to him in the penalty spot, went past goal keeper Pinto with style and touched home the winner. With this home defeat Barcelona will have to beat Murcia in the final round to keep hold of third place.
Atlético Madrid 1 vs. 0 Deportivo La Coruña
After 11 long years Atlético Madrid are back in the elite of European football after beating “Depor” at home. Former Manchester United striker Diego Fórlan scored the only goal of the match just before the break. He hammered in a cross from Maxi Rodriguez to bring joy to the stands. But as always with Atlético, they had to suffer to accomplish something. They had to fight till the last minute to secure their victory and the European top flight for next season.
Athletic Bilbao 0 vs. 0 Racing Santander
A nil nil draw between Athletic Bilbao and Racing. Racing needed total points to go in to the final round only needing a point to secure their UEFA cup seat for next season. Now they will have to beat Osasuna. The good news is that Racing play at home, the bad news is they won’t have an easy game, as Osasuna also needs the three points to secure their La Liga status for next season.
La Liga Standings
1 R. Madrid 82
2 Villarreal 74
3 Barcelona 64
4 Atlético 64
5 Sevilla 61
6 Racing 57
7 Mallorca 56
8 Deportivo 52
9 Athletic 50
10 Almería 49
11 Espanyol 48
12 Valencia 48
13 Getafe 46
14 Betis 46
15 Valladolid 44
16 Recreativo 43
17 Osasuna 43
18 Zaragoza 42
19 Murcia 30
20 Levante 26
