It’s time for our (belated) round-up of all the main talking points from the weekend’s football in Spain.
By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert
Lewandowski a new idol for free-scoring Barcelona
It is hard to believe Barcelona failed to score in their opening LaLiga game of the season. Xavi’s side have hit eight since – four away to Real Sociedad and four more in Saturday’s 4-0 win at home to Real Valladolid. Of those eight goals, summer signing Robert Lewandowski has four. The Pole helped himself to two with a pair of fabulous finishes at Camp Nou – lifting his boot high to poke home the first and pulling off an outrageous back-heel through a defender’s legs for the second – on Saturday and also hit the woodwork twice.
“I would underline, apart from his goals, his perfect timing for receiving the ball, his movements and how he protects the ball,” Xavi said afterwards. “He is an extraordinary player. Spectacular. He’s a natural leader. It’s wonderful to have him. A blessing. He’s an example. He’s a born worker. He has humility. He works for the team. He helps the coaching staff. He makes the difference.”
High praise for a special player. Lewandowski already leads LaLiga’s scoring charts and although he may not be a signing for the long term at 34 years old, he has already revolutionised the team’s attack.
There were other good performances too. Jules Koundé made an assured debut after he was finally registered in time to play in LaLiga this season, Alejandro Balde is taking his chance at left-back, Ousmane Dembélé impressed with two assists and Marc-Andre ter Stegen looks to be getting back to his best in goal.
Seven points from nine, eight goals scored and only one conceded. “It wasn’t the perfect match,” Xavi said. “But we’re on the right path.”
Benzema’s late double preserves Real Madrid’s 100% record
A few kilometres across town, Real Madrid met Espanyol later on Saturday and Los Blancos left it late to take all three points this time. As so often in the past few seasons, Karim Benzema was the match-winner, the French forward converting with two late strikes – a neat finish at the far post after 88 minutes following a delightful Rodrygo cross and a well-placed free-kick deep into added time past outfield player Leandro Cabrera after goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte had been sent off.
Vinícius Júnior had earlier given Real Madrid the lead, but that was cancelled out by a Joselu goal and Los Blancos struggled to find their groove until Benzema’s two late strikes. It was not Real Madrid’s most convincing performance, but the win leaves them top of the table – above Real Betis on goal difference – with maximum points after their three matches.
“We started very well, we scored and then we dipped,” Carlo Ancelotti said. “After their equaliser, it was more complicated. Little by little, we upped our rhythm, we found more intensity and it paid off in the end.”
Much of that was due to the substitutions. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga made Madrid more aggressive, Rodrygo’s pass set up Benzema for the all-important second and Dani Ceballos forced the late red card.
“We decided on players with great physical qualities,” Ancelotti said. “We had a lot of spaces and we made the most of our physical advantage in the latter part of the second half.”
With renovation works ongoing at the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid have had to play their first three games away from home – and they have won them all. “I’m very satisfied,” Ancelotti said. “It hasn’t been easy to win the three games away from home, but we are in a very positive dynamic.”
Griezmann making the most of reduced role at Atlético
Antoine Griezmann’s minutes at Atletico Madrid are limited at the moment and that is not by chance. Atlético will be obliged to pay Barcelona €40 million if the France forward completes more than 45 minutes in 50% of the matches this season and they do not have the funds. So he is being used sparingly. Griezmann came off the bench with just under half an hour left and his deflected strike saw Atleti beat Valencia in a hard-fought encounter at Mestalla in which the Rojiblancos had little of the ball, but better chances than the home side. The World Cup winner also netted after coming off the bench in Atlético’s 3-0 win at Getafe on the opening weekend.
“When Griezmann responds like that, it is very important to have him on the pitch,” Atlético coach Diego Simeone said. “I understand we have to put him on when it best suits the team.” And the club, apparently.
That is two wins from three for Atlético and a decent reaction after last weekend’s loss at home to Villarreal.
Valencia, meanwhile, have just three points from nine and only one goal (a Carlos Soler penalty) to their name this season. New signing Edinson Cavani should help.
Betis win AGAIN
Real Betis beat Osasuna 1-0 at the Benito Villamarīn, with striker Borja Iglesias on target again. But they were made to work hard for their third win this season after German Pezzella was sent off. “I don’t know if the word is to suffer, but we had to defend,” coach Manuel Pellegrini said. “We have worked hard to reduce the number of goals we are conceding.”
So far, so good. Betis are behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid on goal difference alone. Next weekend, the two teams meet at the Santiago Bernabéu and by then, the Andalusians hope to have summer signings Claudio Bravo and Willian José registered and available. “We have a tough calendar and we are missing two important players,” Pellegrini said. “We are going to need them.”
The struggle is real for Sevilla; Athletic score four
While Betis are flying, their city rivals are still struggling. Sevilla have just one point from their three games following Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Almería and their fans are already starting to show their frustration. “Nobody wanted this,” sporting director Monchi said. “But I’m sure we will turn it around.” Patience is running out, though. And up next is a huge test for coach Julen Lopetegui as Barcelona visit the Sánchez Pizjuán next weekend.
Also in Andalucia, Athletic Club found form in front of goal with a 4-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Cádiz. Iñaki Williams opened the scoring and also missed a penalty, while his second-half replacement Gorka Guruzeta netted twice – his first goals in Spain’s top flight. “There is a long way to go and we have only just started,” coach Ernesto Valverde said. “We want to be more solid in our play, but it was a great game.” Valverde, in his third spell at the club, now has more wins for Athletic than any other coach in the club’s history. And after three games, the Basques are up to fourth.
Villarreal, still unbeaten but held to a goalless draw at Getafe on Sunday, drop down to fifth.
(Images from IMAGO)
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