La Liga Week 24 Review: Real Madrid Entertain But Barcelona Keep Winning

La Liga Week 24 Review: Real Madrid Entertain But Barcelona Keep Winning
10:54, 19 Feb 2018

Another record for Barca

In one of their tougher assignments of the season, Barça came out on top once again, to equal Pep Guardiola’s club record unbeaten run of 31 games.

Twenty-four have come this season, with seven from the previous campaign under Luis Enrique’s tutelage.

Though it’s true that Eibar have lost every time they’ve played Barcelona, and that still stands after Saturday’s result, coming into the game, the Basques were the form team in the division along with the Catalans.

In fact, it was they who were the brighter of the two teams in the first half, but it was a Luis Suarez opener from a killer Messi assist that came against the run of play.

They were still well in the game until a ridiculous moment of madness from Fabian Orellana cost his side dearly. The wide man had been a threat all game but his show of petulance saw him given a second yellow, and that allowed Jordi Alba much more freedom.

It was Barca’s left-back who made the game safe late on with the visitors’ second, allowing the Blaugrana to head into next weekend’s Catalan derby with confidence.

Valencia snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

Current form dictated that this game would be a convincing win for Valencia, but it was nothing of the sort.

With 10 minutes still to play, Malaga were leading, but a late collapse handed all three points to Los Che.

A first half corner was missed by everyone except Brown Ideye at the far post, and the striker fortuitously connected to put the hosts 1-0 up.In the 80th minute, a corner from the same spot for the away side ended with the same result, Francis Coquelin rising highest to head home.

With time running out, Valencia were awarded a penalty and Dani Parejo blasted it home for the win.

Girona warm up for Catalan derby with stunning win

Along with Eibar, Girona might be one of the smallest clubs in La Liga, but they showed a big heart once again to put Leganes to the sword.

The Catalans had their opponents on the back foot from the off and had at least two presentable opportunities before Cristhian Stuani fired them ahead from the penalty spot on 23.

Leganes had chances of their own but missed when well placed. They were soon made to pay when Portu raced away from the half way line and arrowed a shot into the roof of the net on 36.

It was always going to be a long way back for the visitors after that, scoring goals not their strong point.

Both goals were peppered with long-range efforts but the third and final goal wouldn’t arrive until the 85th minute, when Juanpe Ramirez rose to head home.

Gameiro keeps Atleti flying high

After Barcelona’s win against Eibar, Atletico Madrid needed all three points if they wanted to keep in touch with the Catalans.

Though it would take a decisive second-half substitution to bring this one out of the doldrums, Atleti were worth their win against Athletic Club who were hugely disappointing again.

The hosts were rightly aggrieved by the failure of the officials to award them a penalty when Unai Nunez flattened Diego Costa, making no attempt to play the ball in the process.

Fortunately, it didn’t impact on the final score.

Gameiro took Koke’s place just before the hour mark and within eight minutes had opened the scoring.

Jose Ziganda’s side offered very little in return and it was little surprise when Atleti made the game safe with 10 to go, Gameiro turning provider for Diego Costa.

Real Madrid prevail in a classic

A fantastic advert for La Liga at the Benito Villamarin was deservedly won 5-3 by Real Madrid.

Despite taking an early lead through Marco Asensio, Los Blancos could conceivably have been 4-1 down by half-time after being completely overrun by Real Betis.

Marcelo’s hamstring injury won’t have helped, and his teammates were probably content at going in at the break 2-1 down thanks to Aissa Mandi and a Nacho own goal.

A stunning stop from Keylor Navas and some profligate finishing when well placed ensured just the one-goal difference, but Zinedine Zidane’s side had been out-played after going ahead.

The visitors came out firing after the break, and Sergio Ramos’ towering drew them level before Asensio’s second – Real’s 6000th in La Liga – saw them back into the lead before the hour mark.

Cristiano Ronaldo kept his recent run going with Real’s fourth on 65, but Betis substitute Sergio Leon’s late third gave Quique Setien’s side hope.

Moreover, it evidenced the ease with which teams can carve open Real Madrid’s defence again, and PSG will take heart from that.

Karim Benzema was a late sub for Ronaldo, and as Betis pushed forward for the equaliser, a classic counter saw the Frenchman register only his third league goal this season.

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