An exciting weekend here in Spain and once again the results leave things pretty tight at the top. Sergio Ramos claimed to day that the title is down to “just four teams”, but with just five points separating Barcelona at the top and Valencia down in sixth place, it’s a pretty tough call.
Barcelona sit in pole position following their 3-1 win over Zaragoza last night. It took two very special Ronaldinho free kicks to give the Catalans all three points and judging by the Brazilians celebratory leap into the arms of Frank Rijkaard, those goals meant a lot to him and his team mates.
The match was as exciting as the build up promised but was marred by two unnecessary red cards. The first, awarded to Motta will surely be rescinded after the Brazilian’s little finger made contact with Diego Milito’s chest. The sight of Milito rolling around on the floor clutching his face was as unsightly as the seven minutes of mayhem that followed as the Barcelona players, substitutes and staff protested Motta’s innocence.
Moments after the play resumed and Gabi Milito followed Motta down the tunnel after committing a professional foul on Saviola who was clean through on goal.
The win, however, was the last thing on Rijkaard’s mind this morning as he must come to terms with the news that Messi will be out for at least three months with a dreaded ‘metatarsal’ break whilst Saviola faces at least six weeks on the sidelines with a muscle tear.
The win leaves Barcelona a point ahead of Sevilla who struggled at Racing Santander and were forced to settle for a goal less draw.
Real Madrid eased past Osasuna as Van Nistelrooy grabbed the headlines after scoring all four of Madrid’s goals in the 4-1 win. Real move into third spot as a result.
On Saturday, Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente snatched the Basques a 1-1 draw at Valencia, who had taken the lead through a Fernando Morientes effort.
Atletico Madrid got back to winning ways when they came from behind to register a satisfying 3-1 win over Villarreal.
Fernando Torres, dropped from the Spain squad on Friday responded in style by winning and then scoring a penalty to put Atletico in front.
However, the star was Sergio Aguero who scored with a fabulous lob midway through the second half to secure the points. Villarreal, who were unbeaten in seven games before the weekend, finished with 10 men when Jose Mari was sent off quarter of an hour from the end.
