Quite a long weekend of soccer watching for me as I caught all or parts of 5 games. I missed Saturday’s action until the exciting Guadalajara derby, which Chivas took home 2-0 at the expense of “home side” Atlas. The game was pretty exciting with several opportunities falling for both sides; Chivas was the club to take advantage, is all.
My favorite Barcelona took the honors at home 1-0 thanks to a late own goal created by lots of pressure and Javier Saviola banging the ball off the post and then off of Fernando Navarro. Sevilla failed to keep themselves within a single point of the Spanish leaders, falling 2-0 at the Mestalla to Valencia in a pretty fantastic game that starred, above all else, Joaquin. Real Madrid floundered against Santander, losing 2-1 at El Sardinero.
In England, Aston Villa came back from down a goal to win 1-3 on the road against Middlesbrough, pushing the Lions up to 10th in the Premiership table, 10 points from the relegation zone with only 4 games remaining. There is little hope of getting into Europe, but at least relegation has been avoided and a top half finish is more than possible. Games against Portsmouth, Manchester City, Sheffield United, and Bolton should ensure a top 10 end to the season, but both Portsmouth and Bolton will prove tough as they vie for European spots. Sheffield will be desperate to avoid the drop as they’re only 2 points from 17th placed Charlton. Man City has about as much to play for as Villa, so perhaps they’ll come out flat.
A more in-depth look at the Villains’ season is coming up, as well a review of the Valencia-Sevilla game and several longer posts concerning La Liga and the wider European game, especially as the semis of the Champions League draw nearer.
