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The former Real Madrid midfielder came on as a late substitute against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday only to be stretchered off in the last minute
Real Sociedad have confirmed that on-loan QPR midfielder Esteban Granero will miss six months with a serious knee injury.
The 26-year-old was introduced as an 81st-minute substitute in the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, but had to be stretchered off after twisting his right knee as he chased down Fred in the final minute of normal time.
Head coach Jagoba Arrasate expressed his concern over the injury after the match and his fears have been confirmed, with Granero having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
QPR, his parent club, Tweeted on Wednesday: "Best wishes for a speedy recovery to @eGranero11 following confirmation that he suffered an ACL injury last night".
Two goals from Alex Teixeira consigned la Real to defeat in their opening game in the competition this season.
By Stefan Coerts6
Sep 18, 2013 1:12:00 PM
The experienced goalkeeper picked up a knock in Tuesday's Champions League encounter and could face a brief spell on the sidelines
Real Madrid have announced on their official website that Iker Casillas has sustained a bruised rib in his side's 6-1 win over Galatasaray.
The 32-year-old featured from the start in Tuesday's Champions League encounter, but picked up a knock early on after an unfortunate collision with team-mate Sergio Ramos.
Casillas initially appeared able to continue play after undergoing treatment on the pitch, but he was eventually replaced by Diego Lopez in the 15th minute.
"After the tests (CAT scan) at Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital the medical team have diagnosed a bruised left rib which will be treated," a statement on the Madrid website reads.
It's not yet known how long Casillas will be unavailable due to the injury, but his participation in this weekend's home Liga clash with Getafe is in serious doubt.
The club captain has lost his starting berth to Lopez, but head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced last week that the Spain international is likely to be first choice in the Champions League.
La Liga Preview: Leaders Barcelona travel to Rayo, Real Madrid play catch-up
19 September 2013
Barcelona will be looking to retain their 100 per cent start in Gerardo Martino's first season in charge when they head to Rayo Vallecano.
The champions travel to Madrid on Saturday with 12 points from their four La Liga matches this season - plus a 4-0 win over Ajax in their UEFA Champions League opener - and will face a side that has conceded 12 goals in their previous three games.
Barcelona have scored a dozen goals in their last two visits to the Estadio de Vallecas Teresa Rivero - winning 5-0 last term and 7-0 in 2011-12 - and have not lost to Paco Jemez's men since December 2002.
Real Madrid go into their fixture at home to Getafe on Sunday two points adrift of their rivals after being held to an entertaining 2-2 draw at Villarreal last time out.
However, they will be high on confidence after following that result up with a resounding 6-1 win at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals over the course of those two matches, while Gareth Bale got his Real career off to a flying start by scoring on his debut at El Madrigal.
Getafe may have beaten their more illustrious city neighbours at home in August last year, but they have conceded four times in each of their last three visits to the Bernabeu.
The only other side who can match Barcelona's perfect start thus far is Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
Wins against Sevilla, Rayo, Real Sociedad and Almeria have seen them take maximum points from their four games, while they also got their European campaign off to a flyer by beating Zenit St Petersburg 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Striker Diego Costa has netted four goals in his last four outings, and Atletico will head to Real Valladolid on Saturday confident of another victory having won the last four meetings between the sides.
Elsewhere, newly promoted Villarreal travel to Celta Vigo in joint second place with Real Madrid with 10 points from their opening fixtures, while Valencia host Sevilla in a match where both sides have points to prove.
Valencia have managed only one win thus far and were comfortably beaten by Sevilla's city rivals Real Betis last time out, while their visitors are still looking for a first victory of the season.
Three other sides are also still searching for a victory to kick start their campaigns. Osasuna host fellow strugglers Elche, while Almeria welcome Levante to Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.
Real Sociedad will be back in domestic action after a Champions League reality check in which they were defeated 2-0 at home by Shakhtar Donetsk. Their latest visitors will be Malaga, who thrashed Rayo 5-0 last time out.
Meanwhile, Andalucian duo Betis and Granada face each other at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, and Monday's game sees Athletic Bilbao travel to Espanyol.
La Liga Wrap: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid extend perfect starts
22 September 2013
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid maintained their perfect La Liga starts with wins over Rayo Vallecano and Real Valladolid respectively.
Unusually, defending champions Barcelona surrendered the bulk of possession to their opponents as they won 4-0 Saturday, but they were infinitely more clinical in front of goal - particularly through Pedro.
The Spain international bagged three almost identical goals as he buried squared passes from the left from Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Neymar.
Fabregas then rounded off the victory in the 80th minute as he placed a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Atletico ensured they would keep pace with Gerardo Martino's side with a 2-0 win, but were forced to wait until the 56th minute to find a breakthrough against an obstinate Valladolid.
Raul Garcia was the scorer, as he collected Koke’s pass into the area before firing a low shot past Diego Marino for his third goal of the season.
And Diego Costa wrapped things up 18 minutes from time, netting his fifth goal in as many games courtesy of yet another Koke assist.
At the other end of the table, Almeria failed to pick up their first league win of the new season as they let a lead slip at home against Levante.
Francisco’s men were 2-0 up by the 51st minute after Verza converted a penalty and Liverpool loanee Suso fired an unstoppable shot past Keylor Navas from well outside the area.
But the visitors found a way back, Nabil El Zhar scoring the game's second spot-kick before Pape Diop met a corner with a controlled side-footed volley 30 minutes from time to steal a point.
In Saturday’s earlier match, Real Sociedad's winless run in La Liga was extended to four games as they drew 0-0 away at Malaga.
Imanol Agirretxe should have found the net after a knock down from Xabi Prieto, while Roque Santa Cruz headed wide from close range when presented with the hosts' best chance.
La Liga Wrap: Real Madrid, Valencia ease to wins
23 September 2013
Real Madrid extended their unbeaten start to the La Liga season with a comfortable 4-1 win over Getafe on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti was dealt a blow before the match when world-record signing Gareth Bale suffered an injury in the warm-up at the Bernabeu, but his replacement Isco starred after Angel Lafita had given Getafe a surprise lead.
Pepe equalised 19 minutes in after Miguel Angel Moya could only parry Cristiano Ronaldo’s close-range shot, before the Portuguese forward converted a penalty to give Real a 2-1 half-time advantage.
Isco added a third with a cool finish just before the hour mark, and Ronaldo rounded off the win in style as he buried Sami Khedira's low cross with a brilliant backheel.
The win sees Ancelotti's men move up to third, two points behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Elsewhere, under-fire Valencia boss Miroslav Djukic eased the pressure on himself with a 3-1 win over troubled Sevilla.
Former Valencia manager Unai Emery took his team to Mestalla bottom of the league after picking up just two points from their first four matches, and that run continued as Djukic's side ended their run of four successive losses in all competitions.
Jonas opened the scoring for the hosts 32 minutes in as he fired home a cutback from Fede Cartabia, but Kevin Gameiro equalised early in the second half as Sevilla grew into the game.
However, Jonas then netted his second 17 minutes from time before Victor Ruiz sealed their much-needed win.
Meanwhile, Sevilla's city rivals Real Betis welcomed Granada to Estadio Benito Villamarin and neither side were able to break the deadlock in a 0-0 stalemate.
Celta Vigo and Villarreal also played out a 0-0 draw in Sunday’s early fixture. Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but Celta held on to claim a point.
Berna-blow! Bale misses Madrid home debut after pulling up injured but Real ease to Getafe win as Ronaldo scores twice
By PETE JENSON PUBLISHED: 16:39 GMT, 22 September 2013 | UPDATED: 23:47 GMT, 22 September 2013
Gareth Bale’s home debut ended before it had started on Sunday night as he sustained what appeared to be a thigh injury in the warm-up. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said the strains of a difficult pre-season were taking their toll on the world’s biggest signing and pointed to the mental, as well as physical, pressures of what he called an ‘unusual pre-season’. Ancelotti said: ‘The player was not comfortable out on the pitch. He is not happy because he was so looking forward to playing his first game here but there will be plenty of opportunities.
In pain: Bale shows Madrid staff his thigh after picking up an injury during the warm-up
Concerned: Cristiano Ronaldo watches on as Bale describes his injury
Not happy: Bale trudges off down the tunnel
All smiles: Bale arrives at the Bernabeu expecting to make his debut
‘The pre-season was strange for him not just in the physical aspect but also mentally. He had to wait a long time [to join the club] and I think that’s the reason.’ Bale’s injury appeared to confirm the worst fears of his Wales boss Chris Coleman, who had questioned the £86million world record signing’s fitness after the eight-week summer stand-off between Tottenham and Real Madrid wiped out his pre-season. Ancelotti had started Bale last weekend at Villarreal and named him in the starting line-up last night.
Prepared: Bale takes part in Madrid training on Saturday
Calm: Ancelotti watches his side come from behind to beat Getafe at home
But the Real coach added: ‘He had a small problem in the warm-up. We can’t say it is an injury until he has tests, but it is unlikely he will play in the next game.’
The Welshman, who was only involved in Spurs’ opening pre-season game at Swindon and who played just 33 minutes for his country in their last round of World Cup qualifying matches, was given half an hour as a sub in Real’s first Champions League game — their 6-1 midweek win over Galatasaray in Istanbul.
But last night’s big home bow ended with him surrounded by club doctors and fitness coach Giovanni Mauri, who decided he could not be risked.
Cameo: Bale came off the bench during Madrid's 6-1 over Galatasaray on Tuesday
Strong start: Bale celebrates scoring against Villarreal on his debut
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in Real’s 4-1 win to become their fifth all-time top scorer. With 207 goals in 205 games, he has only Ferenc Puskas, Santillana, Alfredo Di Stefano and Raul ahead of him. Spanish international Isco took Bale's place in Madrid's starting XI and did not disappoint, scoring his side's third goal.
The former Malaga star's strike was his fifth in five games and arguably the most eye-catching of the night, as he cut in from the left flank and curled the ball into the top corner. Defender Pepe levelled Getafe's fourth minute opener from Angel Lafita with an easy tap-in in the 18th minute, before Isco and Ronaldo took control.
The win moves Carlo Ancelotti's side up one place to third in La Liga, two points behind leaders Barcelona and in-form Atletico who have both won each of their opening five games.
Talent: Isco takes on Getafe's Michel at the Bernabeu
Red hot: Ronaldo celebrates scoring Madrid's winner from the penalty spot
La Liga Preview: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid look to maintain winning starts
24 September 2013
Barcelona will look to preserve their winning start to the new season when they welcome Real Sociedad to Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Only Atletico Madrid have matched Gerardo Martino's side so far, with Real Madrid two points back in third.
Barcelona have been in devastating form at the start of the campaign, scoring 18 goals in their opening five matches while only conceding four.
They emphatically won this fixture 5-1 last season but Sociedad got their revenge in January and became only the second side to beat Barca in the league, prevailing 3-2.
Cesc Fabregas will not feature for Martino's side after he was left out in order to have a rest, with Sergio Busquets coming in having missed the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Carles Puyol remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery.
Atletico will hope to keep pace with Barcelona when they face Osasuna at the Vicente Calderon.
Diego Simeone's side are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Tuesday's opponents and they will hope that Diego Costa continues his rich vein of form to fire them to victory.
The Brazilian striker has found the back of the net five times this season, with only Lionel Messi scoring more.
Their city rivals Real Madrid travel to struggling Elche on Wednesday for their first meeting since 1989.
Carlo Ancelotti's side will be without world-record signing Gareth Bale (groin) but may have Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos available after both men returned to training on Monday.
Madrid will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the last time they met a promoted side – they were were held to a 2-2 draw by Villarreal.
Marcelino Garcia Toral's side have made an excellent start on their return to the top flight and will look to continue that when they face Espanyol.
Like their opponents, Espanyol have started the season well, and have also yet to taste defeat this season.
Real Betis travel north to Bilbao to become the second side to face Athletic at their new San Mames Barria stadium.
Athletic won their first game in the new stadium against Celta Vigo but they have not beaten Betis in their last four attempts so will be wary of Pepe Mel's side.
Valencia put a disappointing performance in Europe behind them on Sunday with a win over Sevilla and the under-pressure Miroslav Dukic will hope that they can repeat that form when they travel to Granada.
Elsewhere, Levante welcome Real Valladolid to the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Tuesday, while Almeria travel to Malaga on Wednesday.
Rock-bottom Sevilla go in search of their first win of the season against Rayo Vallecano, and Getafe entertain Celta.
La Liga Preview: Elche v Real Madrid
24 September 2013
Real Madrid make their first trip to Elche in 24 years on Wednesday looking to claim their fifth win in six La Liga games this season.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have dropped just two points so far this term - in a 2-2 draw at Villarreal - and go into the match at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on the back of a 4-1 win over Getafe on Sunday.
Real came from a goal down to beat their city neighbours at the Bernabeu, with Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing a brace.
The last time Real faced Elche, they did the double over them with 3-1 and 4-2 victories in the 1988-89 top-flight campaign, and the capital club have only lost one of their last 10 meetings against the newly promoted side.
Fran Escriba's team made it back into La Liga for the first time since 1989 by winning the Segunda Division last season, but they have yet to win on their return to the top tier.
However, they have only lost twice in their opening five games, and can take heart from the fact that they have not been beaten in either of their home matches.
But worryingly for Escriba, whose side have kept just one clean sheet this term, Real have scored 10 goals in their last two matches.
Ancelotti will definitely be without world-record signing Gareth Bale after the Wales international picked up a thigh injury in the warm-up before their game with Getafe.
Bale underwent tests on Monday which showed fatigue in the muscle, but the manager said after the Getafe fixture that he should be fit for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Saturday.
Fabio Coentrao, Marcelo (both hamstring) and Xabi Alonso (foot) are also unavailable, but Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos gave the Italian a boost when they returned to full training on Monday morning.
Elche have injury concerns over Cristian Sapunaru (knock) and Sergio Pelegrin (hernia) ahead of the match, with the former more likely to be available than the latter.
La Liga: Espanyol 3 Athletic Bilbao 2
24 September 2013
Victor Sanchez scored twice as Espanyol beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 to climb above them in La Liga on Monday.
The former Barcelona midfielder saw his stunning first-half strike cancelled out by Oscar de Marcos but struck again after the interval to take his season tally to three.
Sergio Garcia's goal sealed the points despite Ibai Gomez's late free-kick for the visitors as Espanyol moved up to fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Villarreal, and extended their unbeaten start to five matches.
Sanchez's 20-yard effort illuminated a hard-fought first half as the 26-year-old netted just his sixth goal in the Spanish top flight after 24 minutes.
Having raced from a central position to near the corner of the 18-yard box, he showed exceptional balance and composure to connect beautifully with a left-footed shot that flew past Gorka Iraizoz.
Javier Aguirre's side looked relatively comfortable with their one-goal advantage but saw it disappear a minute before the interval after good work from Benat provided De Marcos with the equaliser.
The hosts were not to be denied, however, and Sanchez scored again just two minutes after half-time, steering home Garcia's cross from inside the box.
Garcia got in on the act himself with a close-range header after Iraizoz had initially denied him and Christian Stuani in the 66th minute, ensuring that Gomez's last-minute set-piece effort was merely a consolation.
Barcelona crush Real Sociedad to maintain their 100% La Liga record
Barcelona 4 Real Sociedad 1
Reuters
The Guardian, Tuesday 24 September 2013 22.20 BST
Barcelona's Neymar, right, celebrates scoring against Real Sociedad with his team-mate Lionel Messi. Photograph: Manu Fernandez/AP
Barcelona maintained their perfect start to their title defence when Neymar scored his first La Liga goal and Lionel Messi netted his seventh of the season in a 4-1 victory at home to Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
The champions made it six wins from six largely thanks to a scintillating first-half display at the Nou Camp, when Neymar bundled the ball over the line after five minutes and World Player of the Year Messi made it 2-0 with a diving header from the Brazilian's cross three minutes later.
Sergio Busquets scored a rare goal to make it 3-0 in the 23rd minute before Barca lost some of their intensity in the second half and Alberto de la Bella pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour.
Messi, whose goal was his seventh in five league appearances this term, then set up substitute Marc Bartra to score from close range 13 minutes from time and snuff out any hopes of a Sociedad fightback.
Barcelona lead La Liga with 18 points, three ahead of Atlético Madrid who host Osasuna later on Tuesday. Real Madrid are two points behind in third, and play at Elche on Wednesday.
La Liga Wrap: Barca stretch unbeaten run, Atletico win again
25 September 2013
Barcelona extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 18 matches thanks to a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on Tuesday.
The result means that Gerardo Martino's start to life at the Catalan club has been the best beginning to a new manager’s reign in Barcelona history, with six wins from a possible six and a plus-17 goal difference.
Neymar opened the scoring five minutes in against Sociedad as he capitalised on poor defending to tap home Alexis Sanchez’s low cross and net his first La Liga goal, while Lionel Messi doubled the advantage a few moments later with a diving header after good wing play by the Brazilian.
Sergio Busquets made it 3-0 before 30 minutes had been played, firing a half-volley into the bottom of the net from outside of the area.
Alberto De La Bella pulled on back as he knocked Imanol Agirretxe’s poked cross into an empty net, but Marc Bartra restored the three-goal lead 13 minutes from time as he diverted Messi’s low delivery past Bravo.
Atletico also racked up their sixth league win of the campaign as they defeated Osasuna 2-1 at Vicente Calderon.
Diego Costa has been the star for them so far this season, and Tuesday was no different. The Brazilian placed Juanfran’s cross into the bottom corner before heading Koke’s delivery past Andres Fernandez.
Oriol Riera stuck out a foot to direct Francisco Punal's free-kick past Thibaut Courtois, but Osasuna were unable to salvage anything from the game.
Levante were unable to make a significant move up towards the top four as they drew 1-1 at home to 10-man Real Valladolid, leaving them in eighth.
On-loan Sevilla forward Baba Diawara opened the scoring in the 36th minute, his first La Liga goal since May 2012, but Levante's lead did not last long as Javi Guerra equalised a few moments later.
Zakarya Bergdich was shown red card a minute before the break, but Levante could not make the most of their chance as Andreas Ivanschitz's resulting penalty was saved.
Malaga moved above a host of clubs thanks to their 2-0 home win over Almeria.
The Andalucian side played out a goalless first half, but Fernando Tissone found the net after 68 minutes before the hosts scored a second in stoppage time thanks to Francisco Portillo.
The Barcelona star says he never had any intention of showing his discontent after being replaced against Real Sociedad, and has also hit back at claims he defied Pep Guardiola
Lionel Messi has insisted that he does not have any problems with Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino in the wake of his second-half substitution against Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
Goals from Neymar, Messi, Sergio Busquets and Marc Bartra ensured Barca made it six wins from six in a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad.
However, Messi showed obvious discontent at being replaced in the second half but has stressed that he never meant to disrespect Martino.
"I didn't mean to make any gesture when Martino took me off," Messi said on his official Facebook site.
"Nobody likes to be out, but we must accept it because it is the best for our team."
The 26-year-old also responded to recent claims by former New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe, who worked with former Barcelona players Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez, that he openly defied Pep Guardiola during the current Bayern Munich coach's time in charge at the Blaugrana and hinted at taking legal action.
Messi added: "What I will not accept is that certain media tell lies about any situation that happens around me."
The attacker has been in fine form for Barcelona so far this term, netting 10 goals in eight appearances.
Sep 26, 2013 7:40:00 AM
The Italian coach was not impressed by his side's performance and has insisted they must improve if they are to be successful this term
Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his discontent with Real Madrid's showing in their narrow 2-1 win over Elche in La Liga on Wednesday evening.
A controversial stoppage-time penalty dispatched by Cristiano Ronaldo saw Madrid eventually bag the full three points, but Ancelotti warned his side that if they played at the same level on Saturday they will have no chance of beating cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid.
"I am not happy. We need to play differently. We suffered a lot during the match, particularly during the closing minutes of the match. Playing the way we did today, we are not going to win the derby," the Madrid coach said at a press conference.
"We need to play better, with more intensity and more personality. We didn't have control of the game in the second half. The only important thing is that we won but that's not enough. We need to improve."
Ancelotti also briefly discussed the referee's decision to award the match-winning penalty and claimed that Pepe, who won the spot-kick, stressed the official made the right call.
"It is difficult to talk about the penalty, because you can't see properly when you are on the bench.
"I talked to Pepe and he told me that it was a clear penalty."
Madrid currently sit third in La Liga trailing leaders Barcelona and second-placed Atletico by two points.
The Jamaican sprint legend wants to assist the Welshman at Real Madrid and insists he can make the €100 million man an even better player
Olympic sprinting icon Usain Bolt wants to help Gareth Bale improve his speed like he did with Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale, 24, made his move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer for a world record €100 million fee, but the reigning 100m and 200m World and Olympic champion believes that he can make the Welshman an even more phenomenal player.
"I think Gareth is probably the fastest player in the world at the moment - but I will help him with his sprinting if he wants," Bolt is quoted as saying by The Daily Mail.
"It is not just about how fast you can accelerate - but also when you have the football at your feet about balance while you are sprinting as well. I helped Ronaldo with his sprinting in a training session - and look what he has go on to achieve since then.
"I have a lot of respect for Real Madrid - and if they and Gareth want my help I am happy to fly in and take a private training session with Gareth. I hear that he has been clocking speeds close to me - but it is about technique as well.
"I know I could make him an even better player than he already is."
Bale was absent from Real Madrid's last-gasp, controversial win over Elche on Wednesday after picking up a minor injury at the weekend.
I'm a freeloader and a loser because i don't make soccer predictions while lurking in this forum for soccer tips. When results don't go my way, the world owes me a living sigh..
La Liga Wrap: Real Madrid win in dramatic fashion, Sevilla cruise
26 September 2013
Real Madrid needed a last-gasp penalty to beat Elche on Wednesday, while Sevilla sealed their first win of the season over Rayo Vallecano.
Cristiano Ronaldo had put Carlo Ancelotti's side ahead in the 51st minute at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
But in an exhilarating finish Richmond Boakye looked like he had secured a point for Fran Escriba's charges when he levelled proceedings in the 91st minute.
The drama was not finished there, however, as Real were handed a controversial penalty when Pepe was adjudged to have been hauled down by Carlos Sanchez in the area.
Ronaldo duly stepped up to despatch the spot-kick in sixth minute of additional time, as Real maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, and sit two points adrift of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in third.
There was also late drama at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes as Granada were cruelly denied a point in a 1-0 loss at home to Valencia.
With the match looking certain for a 0-0 stalemate, Jonas snatched the three points in the fourth minute of extra time.
It secures back-to-back victories for Miroslav Djukic, to ease the pressure that had mounted after a slow start to the season.
Sevilla routed Rayo Vallecano 4-1 at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, to earn their first Liga victory of the campaign.
Ivan Rakitic scored from the penalty spot 17 minutes in before adding another goal in the second half to give Sevilla a two-goal cushion.
Adrian halved the deficit in the 55th minute, but a brace in the last 10 minutes from Carols Bacca completed the comfortable win for Sevilla.
La Liga Wrap: Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao post victories
27 September 2013
Villarreal moved to fourth in La Liga with a 2-1 win over Espanyol on Thursday, while Athletic Bilbao also won.
Marcelino's side headed into the match hoping to keep their unbeaten record this season intact and they received the perfect start when French forward Jeremy Perbet scored inside the first minute.
Substitute Jonathan Pereira doubled Villarreal's lead 23 minutes from time to spark celebrations in Estadio El Madrigal in the club's 500th Spanish top-flight fixture.
Although Sergio Garcia scored a late consolation for the losers, it could not stop the party as Villarreal's impressive start to the season continued.
Athletic Bilbao scored twice in the last 20 minutes as they came from behind to defeat Real Betis 2-1.
After a goalless first half, Benat missed a penalty in the 59th minute for Bilbao, and they were made to pay almost immediately.
Jorge Molina was the man responsible, firing Real Betis ahead after he followed up his initial headed effort which was well saved.
But Athletic drew level thanks to Oscar De Marcos' header, before Mikel San Jose scored the winner with eight minutes remaining.
San Jose rose highest to meet Ibai Gomez's cross with a thumping header as Athletic's 100 per cent home record at their new Estadio San Mames home continued.
Thursday's other game saw Getafe beat Celta Vigo 2-0 thanks to goals from Lisandro Lopez and Alvaro Arroyo, moving the Madrid side above their opponents and into 10th.
La Liga: Real Valladolid 2 Malaga 2
28 September 2013
Malaga's stuttering start on the road to the Liga season continued on Friday as they had to fight for a 2-2 draw at Real Valladolid.
Bernd Schuster's side had taken a half-time lead at the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla through Roque Santa Cruz, but strikes from Javi Guerra and Humberto Osorio turned the tables.
However, Bartlomiej Pawlowski's first goal for the club sealed a point for the Andalusians, who are yet to win away from their Estadio La Rosaleda home this term.
Valladolid started well and Willy Caballero in the visitors' goal was tested by a long-range drive from Antonio Rukavina, but Malaga got themselves ahead in the 23rd minute.
Fernando Tissone released former Bayern Munich man Santa Cruz with a perfect through ball and the Paraguay international finished neatly with his left foot.
Vitorino Antunes and Francisco Portillo went close to doubling the lead, but Malaga's advantage only stood at one at the half-time whistle.
And they were made to pay for that profligacy 10 minutes after the break as Javi Guerra rose highest to head Patrick Ebert's corner home.
German winger Ebert again was the provider for Valladolid's second in the 64th minute, another corner leading to a headed goal, this time from Osorio.
With Valladolid hoping to hold out for their second win of the campaign, they were denied by a fine strike from Pawlowski, the Pole controlling Ignacio Camacho's cross neatly, before spinning his defender and volleying a wondrous effort past Diego Marino.
La Liga Preview: Almeria v Barcelona
26 September 2013
Barcelona travel to Almeria on Saturday looking to record their 12th consecutive La Liga win.
The reigning champions have taken 18 points from their six fixtures so far in the top flight, scoring 22 goals and conceding just five in the process.
This follows on from five straight wins at the end of last season, and means the Catalan side have now dropped just four points in their last 16 La Liga games.
On Tuesday, they swept Real Sociedad aside at Camp Nou, with Neymar, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Marc Bartra all scoring in a comprehensive 4-1 win.
Messi has begun the season in typical fashion, netting 10 goals in all competitions, but Brazil star Neymar has also enjoyed an impressive start to life in Barcelona after his move from Santos.
However, Dani Alves is not shocked by his compatriot's adaption to Spanish football.
"I knew of Neymar’s abilities and I knew that he’d fit in at Barca. I’m not surprised by his good start," he told Barcelona's official website.
Almeria’s start to the season is in stark contrast to Barca's, as they have failed to pick up a win, earning just three points from their six games.
And they look unlikely to improve on that record this weekend, having taken just two points from their last 10 matches against Martino's team.
Their last four meetings have seen Barca rack up an aggregate scoreline of 19-1, including an 8-0 away victory in 2010.
Although his side will be huge underdogs again, Almeria boss Francisco Javier Rodriguez Vilchez has a full squad to choose from with the only player to miss their last game against Malaga - Christian Fernandez - coming back into contention following suspension.
Martino, meanwhile, has a number of fitness problems to contend with.
Jordi Alba (thigh), Javier Mascherano (hamstring), Isaac Cuenca (knee) and Ibrahim Afellay (knee) will all miss out, but Carles Puyol could feature.
La Liga Preview: Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
26 September 2013
Gareth Bale is expected to make his home Real Madrid debut in the derby clash with Atletico on Saturday after overcoming a thigh injury.
The world record signing has missed Real's last two matches with the problem after pulling up in the warm-up ahead of the 4-1 victory over Getafe, but he returned to training on Thursday.
Bale rejoins a squad that will be full of confidence following their controversial victory over Elche on Wednesday, although they will likely still have the words of coach Carlo Ancelotti ringing in their ears.
Ancelotti's side needed a highly debatable last-gasp penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo to secure the points with the last kick of the game in midweek, and the Italian admitted that his players must do more if they are to overcome their arch-rivals at the Bernabeu this weekend.
"Playing the way we did (against Elche), we are not going to win the derby," he said. "We need to play better, with more intensity and more personality."
Atletico made it six wins out of six with their 2-1 win over Osasuna on Tuesday and they will be hoping to maintain their perfect record in the first derby of the season.
They won their last meeting with Real in extra time in last season's Copa del Rey final but they have not tasted league success against their capital counterparts since 1999.
Coach Diego Simeone will be hoping to break that run of 23 league games without a win and they will be brimming with confidence after their perfect start to the Liga campaign.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes they have what it takes to extend that run, and has reassured the fans that they are going all out for the win.
"We have a great team," he said. "We know how to beat them.
"As a player you never play to draw, always to win."
Real are also unbeaten in the league, but they did drop points in a 2-2 draw with Villarreal that leaves them two points behind their city neighbours and champions Barcelona.
They will need to stop striker Diego Costa if they are to take all three points on Saturday, with the 24-year-old Brazilian having netted his sixth and seventh goals of the season in the midweek win.
Xabi Alonso is definitely out for the hosts with a foot injury, while Adrian will be missing for the visitors with a fractured cheekbone.
