Matchday 8 Review

Like matchday 7, we were not focusing on any one game and will review the games in shorter detail.

No odd timetabling this week luckily enough so the games were as follows:

Friday 27th September 2024

Valladolid kicked off Matchday 8 for us with a hosting of high flying Mallorca. The home side are in desperate need to get their season kicked off and get themselves out of the relegation zone, unfortunately for them, European spot focused Mallorca were not going to let this happen. 2 goals in the second half were what it took for the visitors to take home the 3 points, even if Valladolid managed to get a goal back in the 90 +4th minute through Ivan Sanchez, it was too little too late for the hosts and Mallorca continue their fine form this season.

Saturday 28th September 2024

Getafe kicked off the second day against well performing Alaves who would have been confident in themselves after their late showing at Real Madrid the previous match. This confidence was sorely misplaced though as their woes in the capital continued as Getafe ran away 2-0 victors. A much needed 3 points for the team from Madrid as they start to clear space from the drop zone for themselves.

Rayo Vallecano picked up yet another draw when they hosted Leganes, despite taking the lead really early on through Sergio Camello, the away side managed to pull back a goal in the second half thanks to Juan Cruz. An even match up but can't help but feel this was two points lost by the home side.

Real Sociedad were back on winning ways after their defeat to Mallorca with a comfortable 3-0 victory over struggling Valencia, an early goal from Kubo in the first half and 2 late goals for the youngster Oskarsson in the second half sealed the game. This was a dominant display from the home side with them boasting over 60% of the possession of the ball throughout the game. Valencia need to figure this out soon.

The last game of the Saturday and probably the shock of the season up to this point was Osasuna's dismantling of league leaders Barcelona. The home side have been excellent when playing in front of their own support so far this season and they continued this fine form against the leaders. Budimir and Bryan Zaragoza single handedly took apart the Barcelona defense to make it 2-0 by half time. A mistake from the goalkeeper allowed Barcelona to get one back but then through Budimir's 73rd minute penalty conversion and an absolute rocket of a strike from Bretones, the undefeated leaders were looking at a 4-1 deficit. not even a late Lamine Yamal belter of a strike could give the travelling leaders a hope of getting back into the game and they were handed their first defeat of the season in a special form.

Sunday 29th September 2024

Celta Vigo and Girona kicked off the 3rd day of Matchday 8 with a well lined up match. both teams sitting in okay places in the league and also needing to get these points secured. A first half effort from Yangel Herrera saw the visitors go ahead at the break but this was countered by the ever present Iago Aspas in the 81st to draw the game level at 1-1. This is where the game stayed until the final whistle with both teams going away with a point, the return of this game later in the season might be one of interest.

Athletic Bilbao gave away a seemingly winning lead against struggling Sevilla. The home side went ahead in the first half but were soaking up an incredible amount of pressure from the away side. This pressure eventually cracked when goalkeeper Agirrezebala mis controlled the ball and took out the oncoming striker for a direct red card in the 82nd minute. The ten men of Bilbao held on until an unfortunate own goal in the 90 +3rd minute relegated this potentially well fought win to an unfortunate draw. A great point for Sevilla but disappointment for the home side.

Betis then hosted Espanyol and after a mostly dominant display with the majority of possession and shots taken were for the home side, the breakthrough happened in the 85th minute with inform Lo Celso breaking the deadlock between the two sides. Espanyol still looking for a run of form in the league to get them going but this was always going to be a tough contest for the newly promoted side.

The final game of the Sunday was none other than the first Madrid derby of the season, hosted by Atletico. On paper this was a seriously well fought and even match, both teams looking to take advantage of Barcelona's dropped points and close the gap at the top before it starts to get away from anyone. Real Madrid had most of the attacking chances, naturally, but these were defended well by Atletico. In the 64th minute is when Eder Militao broke the deadlock with a volley from inside the box. With the game seemingly won, Angel Correa was sent through on goal and as he stumbled and bundled the ball past Courtois, a deflection off the defenders leg and his own, it saw the ball bobble into the goal. A very closer VAR decision showed that he was onside by an arms length and the 1-1 stood until the end of the game, points shared.

Monday 30th September 2024

The final game of Matchday 8 was brought to us by Villarreal hsoting Las Palmas, a tight first half that was finished by Pepe scoring for Villarreal to take the hosts into the break at an advantage. Minutes into the second half. Las Palmas had equalised through Fabio Silva to stun the home crowd. This shock didn't last though as the home side went away 3-1 victors after two late goals to secure their solid start to the season and keeping them in 3rd place in the table. Las Palmas, still rooted to the bottom of the table, starting to look a bit grim for the team from Gran Canaria.