FOOTBALL – Not all teams have played their 5th La Liga game yet, and already, there have been 15 red cards. The most recent of which was given to Erik Lamela of Sevilla in the 84th minute of their game against Espanyol yesterday. Sevilla won 2-3 in the end.
Having won their 5th La Liga game against Celta Vigo 4-1 at home last night, Atletico are in 4th position with 10 points.
Standings
However, 3rd place Villarreal, also on 10 points are due to play away against Real Betis this evening. And in 2nd place, Real Madrid play their 5th game in front of a home crowd this afternoon against Mallorca. Real Madrid are currently sitting just 1 point behind Barça. So, a win for Real Madrid today could put them top of the table.
Atletico Madrid
Simeone´s side were on top form in last night’s game. Atletico Madrid scored their first goal after just 9 minutes. The run began down the left wing of their own half and was passed over to the right wing before being sent perfectly across the front of goal by De Paul allowing a dead-centre strike from Angel Correa.
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The first half ended 1-0, but 5 minutes into the second half, De Paul had his chance to score the second goal for Atletico. Carrasco chipped the ball down the left to Koke, who laid it on for De Paul as he was approaching.
Next it was the turn of Carrasco after he sprinted the entire Celta Vigo half to put Atletico 3-0 up.
Celta Vigo
Five minutes later, Celta Vigo celebrated their first goal and stopped Atletico from finishing the game on a clean sheet. Midfielder, Gabri Veiga picked up the ball after a corner was missed and somehow managed to swivel and put the ball between the keeper and the near post.
Own goal
The 4th goal for Atletico came as Cunha picked up the ball in his own half, and made the run towards the penalty area. Unai Nuñez was there for Celta Vigo, but the ball bounced off his shins and into the goal. As such, it was awarded as an own goal.
The game ended 4-1 for the home side.
Cadiz v Barcelona
The first half saw chances for both sides, however, Barcelona seemed to have the upper hand. Despite this, Ledesma didn´t seem too troubled in his saves. Cadiz did well to keep the score-line 0-0 at half time.
The first 10 minutes of the second half continued much the same as the first with Ledesma making his saves look easy. That was until the 55th minute when Ledesma pushed away the ball only to be picked up by De Jong who put it away. Frenkie made it 0-1 for Barcelona.
Fresh legs
Barcelona then made 3 consecutive substitutions, and brought on Dembélé, Pedri, and Lewandowski.
Cadiz also took the opportunity to make some changes and replaced 2 midfielders with a midfielder and a striker.
It didn´t take long for the Barça subs to make a difference. Pedri attempted an aerial pass into the box but Busquets sent it over the bar. Minutes later, however Lewandowski scored to make it 0-2, and his 6th goal in his 5th La Liga game.
Dembélé had a few near misses but did not manage to put the ball away. Ansu Fati was then brought on to replace Raphinha. Dembélé and Fati teamed up, but Ledesma foiled their attempt.
Medical issue in the crowd stops play
With Barça sitting 2 goals up, and only 10 minutes of normal time remaining, suddenly, the referee halted play. No-one seemed to know what was happening, but it appeared to be something wrong in the crowd. Cadiz substitute goalkeeper, David Gil rushed onto the field with First Aid Equipment. Together with Ledesma, he went behind goal with a defibrillator for someone in the crowd.
Twenty minutes after the game was stopped, the players went down the tunnel. Over 19,000 fans sat in silence throughout. The medical issue must have been stabilised enough for a stretcher to be brought on. Then after almost an hour break, the players came back on the pitch to warm-up ready to play out the remaining minutes.
The game continued
The clock was reset at 82 minutes, and the game continued.
Four minutes later, Ansu Fati made his debut of the match assisted by Lewandowski. Three minutes were added to the official 90. This gave Dembélé just enough time to score. This was also assisted by Lewandowski.
The match ended 0-4 for Barcelona almost an hour later than anticipated.
Still to play their 5th La Liga game of 2022/2023 season
Today the following teams will play;
- Real Madrid v Mallorca
- Elche v Athletic Club
- Getafe v Real Sociedad
- Real Betis v Villarreal
And tomorrow (Monday)
- Almeria v Osasuna will play tomorrow
Also read: Red cards already dominating La Liga 2022/23
