FOOTBALL – Real Sociedad is currently top of La Liga and lead Real Madrid and Sevilla by one point who both have a game in hand. They regained their top position after 2 late goals in their match against Osasuna. Merino scored in the 72nd minute and Januzaj nailed it by scoring from a penalty in the 82nd minute reminding both teams that the game is not over until the final whistle.
Sevilla won their match against Real Betis yesterday with an away victory of 0-2. Rodriguez of Betis was sent off in the 45th minute. Goals came in the second half for Sevilla by Acuña in the 55th minute and an own goal after 81 minutes.
Barcelona
FC Barcelona is struggling to find pace and is in 9th position with just 17 points. Barca started the season with a 4-0 win at home against Real Sociedad, but since then have only won three of their matches.
The most disappointing of losses must have been their last game when they were away to Celta Vigo. They started well with Ansu Fati scoring after just 5 minutes. Another 2 goals came from Busquets and Memphis. They finished the first half 0-3 up. However, Fati did not return to the field for the second half after sustaining a thigh injury just before halftime.
A game of two halves
As we all know, football is a game of two halves, and this was seen in the second half. Barcelona relaxed, but Celta Vigo kept up the pressure. The home side scored twice making it 2-3 with a 3rd goal coming well into injury time. Making the final score 3-3
The difference between gaining all 3 points has made a massive difference to this team´s standings so far. Their next La Liga game is not until November 20th at home against Espanyol.
Xavi
New coach Xavi Hernández has a job on his hands to turn things around for the Barcelona club. Xavi was officially presented to the club today (Monday, November 8). One of his first comments has been the acknowledgment that the team must battle from the start, right from the first minute.
Xavi is said to be passionate about returning to “his lifetime club. He said, “I can’t put into words how excited I am to go back to defending the crest that I bear on my heart. To go back to feeling the buzz of the Camp Nou from within and once again hearing the cries of support from the fans.”
Xavi talks about Barça's youngsters#DreamTeen pic.twitter.com/ye8t0lE7yz
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 8, 2021
It´s never over until the final whistle
Real Madrid had a tense final 10 minutes in their home match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. However, the game finished 2-1. Goals were scored by Real Madrid after 14 and 38 minutes by Kroos and Benzema respectively. However, Rayo Vallecano´s Falcao put the ball in the net in the 76th minute. On the official club website, manager, Carlo Ancelotti admitted We had a lot of chances, but the third goal just wouldn’t come, and we suffered for it”
In fourth place, Atletico with 23 points sit 5 points behind the leaders, also with one game still to play. They drew 3-3 in their last game away against Valencia. Suárez opened up the scoreline after 35 minutes. In the second half, Valencia equalised after just 5 minutes with an own goal. But then, in the 58th minute, Griezmann began a run from his own half and took a shot at goal from outside the box. The goal reached the top corner of the net. Just 2 minutes later Sime Vrsaljko scored for Atletico, but the goal was disallowed. However, on this occasion, VAR overturned the decision and allowed the goal to stand. After 90 minutes, Atletico was winning 1-3. However, there were 7 minutes added for injury time. During which, everything changed.
The final whistle did not come soon enough for Atletico
Valencia´s Duro scored a double in the 2nd and 6th minutes of injury time making the final score 3-3.
