La Liga Spherical-Up: Atletico Madrid stumble as Rayo push for Europe
Saturday’s early La Liga motion featured three key video games as Actual Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano boosted their European qualification hopes and Atletico Madrid suffered one other title setback.
Actual Sociedad 2-1 Actual Valladolid
La Actual had a cushty first half in opposition to the worst aspect in La Liga, opening the scoring by means of Mikel Oyarzabal, who struck dwelling Pablo Marin’s cross. Led by the direct strategy and difficult dribbling of Takefusa Kubo, till the hour-mark, Imanol Alguacil’s aspect felt in management with out threatening a lot.
Nevertheless at that time there was a short spell of strain from Valladolid, who bought themselves into the sport, however then again out of it swiftly. Sergio Gomez’s nook went in with out a contact from anybody, eliminating doubts on the ultimate consequence. A late purpose from Juanmi Latasa in stoppage added some pressure, but it surely was in the end one other defeat for La Pucela who stay backside.
Espanyol 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid had the higher of the primary half, as Conor Gallagher went shut, earlier than Cesar Azpilicueta hammered dwelling a thumping volley off an Alexander Sorloth knockdown. Espanyol competed arduous, however struggled to discover a means by means of Los Colchoneros, for whom the bitter notice was a head harm to Robin Le Normand, who went off for Jose Maria Gimenez.
That aggressive edge from Espanyol grew to become more and more related because the second half went on. After Sorloth went shut, Espanyol grew into the sport, and when Clement Lenglet dragged again a participant from a set piece, Los Pericos got a penalty and a golden alternative with 20 minutes to go. Captain Javi Puado hit the highest nook with no signal of nerves.
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With Rodrigo de Paul and Julian Alvarez thrown on, Atleti nonetheless struggled to show the screw within the closing phases. Their efforts not sufficient, it might be a deadly blow for his or her title hopes, as Barcelona and Actual Madrid look to go 9 and 6 factors clear on the high. Espanyol sneak a bit nearer to security with a heartening level.
Alaves 0-2 Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano’s eye-catching push for Europe has misplaced some momentum in latest weeks however they ended a five-game winless run at Alaves.
Issues went proper for the guests from the off, as Pathe Ciss headed them in entrance inside the primary 90 seconds, and so they by no means appeared again from there.
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Joan Jordan was denied from the penalty spot, in an extra enhance, and Pedro Diaz buried a positive end to ship all three factors again to Vallecas.
Pictures by way of Getty Pictures / One Soccer