Real Madrid only need a victory next Sunday to win their 31st La Liga title after their victory at Satander this weekend. “los blancos” are 10 points clear at the top with only five games left.
Barca failed to score at home and ended up in a goalless draw with Espanyol but the worst performance at home in La Liga this weekend goes to Sevilla. Report by Felipe Bazon
Barcelona 0 – 0 Espanyol
In the Catalonian derby once again Barcelona dropped points at home and for the first time this season they failed to score at the Camp Nou as the game ended in a goalless draw. Even when Messi and Iniesta came on in the second half, making BarÄ‚§a a more offensive team, “los cul's” failed to score, the Argie star as if he has recovered from his injury and is ready for his clash against C. Ronaldo in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, but he wasn’t able to help his team pick up the three points. Barcelona’s boss Frank Rijkaard insists that his team still has chances of wining La Liga……
Atletico Madrid 1 – 3 R. Betis
Atletico Madrid allowed Betis to win three golden points that would have secured their Champions League spot for next season, on the other hand the three points for Betis secured their top flight status for next season, the relegation ghost will not haunt them anymore this season. Juande fired the visitors in front after Atl'tico’s goalkeeper Leo Franco rebounded a strike from Jos' Mari, Juande was there to send the first one home. Kun Aguero equalised with a flyer from outside the box. But in the second half Betis wrapped up points with two more goals, one from Xisco and the other one from Capi.
Real Zaragoza 3 – 0 Recreativo
In a relegation zone battle, Zaragoza were far superior over Recreativo and won the match without too much effort. With the victory Zaragoza are equal on points with Recreativo, but have a better goal differential which see’s them move out of the relegation zone.
This was a one sided game, Zaragoza were in command the whole match. Sergio Garcia opened up the scores just minutes into the game, Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira scored the second before half time. In the second half Recreativo showed no signs of a reaction and with 25 minutes to go Ricardo Oliveira scored his second of the night and the third for Zaragoza to seal the victory.
Sevilla 1 – 4 Almeria
Sevilla lost another chance to catch up on Atl'tico Madrid and try to steal the last Champions League spot for next season, and they could now lose their UEFA Cup spot to Almeria if they fail to win their next matches.
Playing at home, Sevilla were far superior in the first 15 minutes, but things completely changed when captain and Brazilian international Dani Alves headed in his own goal to give the lead to AlmerÄ‚a. Before the break, Negredo failed to score the second for Almeria when his penalty exploded in Palop’s left post and went out.
With two minutes into the second half Negredo redeemed himself, scoring his first and the second for Almeria. Ortiz scored the third and then Negredo again scored his third and fourth for Almeria and killed any chances Sevilla had to get back into the game. Kanoute missed a penalty but managed to score the consolation goal for Sevilla after nice action from Jesus Navas.
Murcia 1 – 4 Mallorca
Mallorca dominated the whole match, needing the victory to secure their La Liga status for next season. Mallorca started the match with an attacking formation which was soon capitalized by Spanish international Guiza and ten minutes later Mallorca found their second with Arango. Before the break Murcia showed no signs of a reaction and Mallorca continued their domination. When the second half started Murcia had no chances of starting a come back, Guiza scored his second and third for Mallorca in the first 60 seconds, it was Guiza who scored the fourth for Mallorca completing his hat trick, Murcia’s consolation goal came through Baiano with two minutes to go.
Osasuna 0 – 1 Deportivo la CoruÄ‚±a
Deportivo won their fourth consecutive league match, even though they did not deserve to win this one. Osasuna were in command from start to finish but could not capitalise on their chances. With a goalless first half both teams returned with more determination but nothing changed from the first half, Osasuna were in command but it was Deportivo who took the lead and the three points. The ref assigned a controversial penalty for “Depor” materialised by Sergio. Deportivo with the three points move up to 8th place and Osasuna are only three points from the relegation zone.
Levante 3 – 1 Getafe
Levante won an easy match against Getafe, “los azulones” were still feeling the effects of the past weeks, when they were knocked out of the UEFA and the defeat in the final of the Copa Del Rey to Valencia. Levante scored two late goals in the first half with Juamma and Berson. In the second half Pedro LeÄ‚Ĺ‚n went pass Belenguer and striked home the third for Levante, the third goal sealed the victory for the bottom side. Getafe got one back through De La Red from the penalty spot.
Villareal 2 – 0 Valladolid
Villareal won this match with authority. Valladolid started the match with a more attacking formation than Villareal, but it was the home side that scored first through Nihat. He scored a real cracker, the Turk received a deep pass from Cazorla dribbled past Alexis Suar'z and hammered into the top corner. In the second half Villareal sealed the victory and the second place in La Liga with an early goal, this time it was Nihat who served Cazorla inside the box and he hammered home the second. Villareal are now second taking BarÄ‚§a’s second place and Valladolid are just two points away from the relegation zone.
Racing Santander 0 – 2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid players celebrated this victory as if they had already won the league, los blancos are now ten points clear at the top with only five games to be played. Real Madrid went one up in the 13th minute of the first half, Robinho crossed in from the left and Ra Ä‚Ĺźl deflected home the first. Madrid’s lead was secured by their back four S. Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro and Heinze who were in top form and denied any opportunity created by Racing and with a late goal from HiguaÄ‚n, Real Madrid wrapped up the three points and possibly the league.
Athletic Bilbao 5 – 1 Valencia
There is nothing left from the Valencia that won the Copa Del Rey Final last Wednesday. “Los che” were humiliated at Bilbao by 5 goals to 1. Albiol started the count for the Bascs scoring in his own goal, that was all the action in the first half. The second half was a one sided game with two from Llorente one from Iraola and one from Aduriz. Athletic sent Valencia home with a defeat that they will not forget for a long time, and on top of all that Valencia are now only two points from the relegation zone with one four matches to be played. Los che better play like they played in midweek against Getafe in the cup final otherwise the humiliation will be bigger. Athletic Bilbao with the three points secure their La Liga status for next season.
The Standings
1 Real Madrid 72 pts 33 played
2 Villarreal 62 pts 33 played
3 Barcelona 61 pts 33 played
4 Atletico Madrid 54 pts 33 played
5 Racing Santander 53 pts 33 played
6 Sevilla 51 pts 33 played
