There’s been a full round of games in LaLiga this week so let’s break it all down for you.
By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert
Real Madrid lead the way
Real Madrid consolidated their lead at the top of LaLiga on Wednesday night after beating bottom club Elche 3-0 away from home. Carlo Ancelotti’s side scored six times at the Martínez Valero, but saw three of those ruled out by VAR (two netted by Karim Benzema and the other a fine team move finished by David Alaba). No matter. Benzema continued his memorable week with a lovely strike from the edge of the box to follow up his goal in El Clásico on Sunday and his Ballon d’Or triumph on Monday.
Earlier, Fede Valverde scored another lovely goal from the edge of the box to make it five in 10 LaLiga appearances in 2022-23 and six in all competitions. That doubles his previous best return for a campaign and he has only played 15 games this term. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had joked in September that he would tear up his coaching badge if he could not get the Uruguayan to score 10 in a season. “I took a risk asking him for 10 goals,” the Italian said on Wednesday. “If he scores four more, my badge won’t be torn up and will stay intact.”
And on a more serious note, he added: “He is a player who surprises me because he is doing everything well – both in defence and attack. If you think of a modern ‘interior’, you think only about Valverde.”
Marco Asensio made it 3-0 to Real Madrid late in the game to round off a professional performance from Los Blancos following their exertions in El Clásico. After 10 rounds of LaLiga, the champions lead the way and are the only unbeaten team left in the competition. “We’re in an important moment of the season,” Ancelotti said. “We’re showing a lot of solidity on the pitch. Physically we’re in good shape and we need to take advantage of this moment.”
One player who is taking advantage of his chance is goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who continues in the absence of Thibaut Courtois as the Belgian sits out with sciatica. “He has done well,” Ancelotti said. “He has shown he is ready. When Courtois comes back, Luni will be back on the bench. But he is better every match and he’s accumulating experience, which he needs because he is young.”
Barcelona bounce back
Barcelona came into their match against Villarreal on Thursday with their morale dented following a frustrating draw against Inter in the Champions League last week and then a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clásico on Sunday. Xavi asked his players for a reaction and he got it as Barça sealed an emphatic 3-0 win. Two golazos from Robert Lewandowski, the second a super curled effort from the edge of the area, and a third from Ansu Fati – all arriving late in the first half – sealed a comfortable victory for the Blaugrana and saw FCB move back to within three points of Real Madrid after 10 games.
“I think we played a great game, we needed it,” Xavi said. “We had to react. It wasn’t an easy day after losing at the Bernabéu and drawing with Inter. There is a lot of expectation in this team, a lot is expected. We showed up, with character, good intensity, playing well in defence and especially in attack.”
Lewandowski’s brace means the Pole now has 16 goals in just 14 matches for Barcelona this season and Xavi said: “He’s insatiable. He has goals in his head. He’s a killer, a goalscorer. He sees the angles, he’s intelligent, he looks for the spaces. He’s a great striker.”
In midfield, Frenkie de Jong also impressed for Barça. “He enjoyed the game. I’m happy for him, he deserves it,” Xavi said of the Dutch international, who was close to leaving the Catalan club in the summer.
However, Xavi was unhappy with the whistles for Gerard Piqué as the defender was introduced late in the match. “At the Gamper [Trophy], I asked for unity,” he said. “It’s a time to be together. Whether Piqué plays or not, all I can say is that in the dressing room he is an example in capital letters. He sets the example as a captain and the people need to know that.”
Late frustration for Atlético
Atlético Madrid drop to fourth following a disappointing draw at home to Rayo Vallecano. Diego Simeone’s side took the lead through Álvaro Morata after 20 minutes. The Spain striker was set up by Antoine Griezmann, who later saw an effort ruled out when he was narrowly offside before netting with 10 minutes left. And there was late frustration for the Rojiblancos as José María Giménez was penalised for handball right at the end and former Atleti icon Radamel Falcao blasted home the spot-kick to earn the visitors a point. “If VAR and the referee determine that it’s a penalty, it’s because they saw handball,” Simeone said. But he admitted: “We have to work and improve on finishing off games.”
Atlético fall one place to fourth and are overtaken by Real Sociedad, 1-0 winners at home to Mallorca thanks to an early Mikel Merino strike. Real Betis stay fifth and level on points with Atlético following a 0-0 draw at Cadíz, while Athletic Club are in sixth after they were twice pegged back in a 2-2 tie at Getafe. Osasuna are up to seventh after beating Espanyol 1-0 and ending a disappointing run which saw the Pamplona outfit pick up just a point from their previous four fixtures.
Elsewhere, Sevilla earned a point thanks to Erik Lamela’s late goal at home to Valencia – and an even later penalty miss from the visitors. The Andalusians face another tough test this weekend as they travel to Real Madrid on Saturday. And perhaps the performance of the week came from Real Valladolid, who beat Celta Vigo 4-1 at the José Zorrilla on Wednesday to move up to 11th in the table.
(Images from IMAGO)
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