LaLiga: A 5-3 classic for Real Madrid, Coutinho in form and Diego Costa being Diego Costa
Real Madrid and Barcelona both had tough away trips as they try to manage their squad with the Champions League back on the scene. Atletico Madrid are the only hope of keeping the title race alive and needed to beat Athletic Club at home.
A solid victory but there are still concerns about Real Madrid
It feels strange to pick apart moments in a match which Real Madrid won 5-3. On the face of it, what’s there to complain about? Three points is all that matters for Zinedine Zidane after answering his critics with back to back victories, right? With his neck was resting on the chopping block, Zidane avoided the same fate that befell Ned Stark and continues on his daily duties. Maybe the axe will eventually fall, but for now, Zidane is clinging onto his position as you’d expect.
However last season it felt like Real Madrid were answering every question put to them, both domestically and in Europe. The alternatives on the bench – the ‘B’ team – were key members of the squad and when they were handed a chance, grasped it with both hands. The options available to Zidane were limitless and each person had a different opinion as to what was their strongest XI was. Good problems to have, I’m sure you’ll agree. However this season the rotation game isn’t working out quite as well.
Zidane didn’t rock the boat too much with his line-up against Real Betis. Luka Modric, Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema were all handed rests. The three substitutes from the Paris match – Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio – all started instead. Toni Kroos is out for at least another week via injury so Mateo Kovacic came into the midfield as well. Isco could only make the bench. Still, a strong XI.
The 4-4-2 experiment continues but no one knows why
The decision to not rotate more is perhaps a sign of Zidane’s growing disappointment with the youngsters he backed to shine in the summer. Theo Hernandez was unplayable for Alaves last term but the lack of regular football isn’t helping him to settle in at Madrid. Marcelo has started every league match since the end of October. And when Marcelo wasn’t available, Nacho Fernandez is seemingly ahead of the young Frenchman.
After Marcelo suffered a muscle injury Theo came onto the field and within seven minutes Betis had scored twice. Not the fault of Theo, of course not, but another case of him being thrown in at the deep end and struggling to find his place in the team. He, like many others, doesn’t suit the current 4-4-2 which Zidane refuses to let go of.
Asensio was the man to make the difference, alongside a hungry Cristiano Ronaldo. For the Spanish international this performance sees him thrown into the conversation for a regular starting place. As is common over here, the natural personnel to make way should be one of Benzema or Bale. The former is struggling this term, but did score against Betis, while the former was pretty anonymous as part of a two-man forward line.
It still feels like this Madrid side is built around individual brilliance rather than improving as a collective unit.
Coutinho is finding his feet at Barcelona
For a transfer the magnitude of Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona, the reaction afterwards has been relatively lukewarm. Now that isn’t entirely down to the player either. He arrived carrying an injury and that saw his momentum stopped before it ever had a chance to get going.
After three successive starts he was on the bench for the visit to Eibar. With him being unavailable for this week’s Champions League fixture it was a surprise to see Coutinho out of the XI. In saying that, he wasn’t looking comfortable on the right of midfield and Ernesto Valverde prefers a 4-4-2 so he was the natural fall guy if rotations weren’t going to happen.
However the Brazilian was key in Barcelona killing the game off after replacing Andres Iniesta. On his more natural left-hand side, Coutinho was a constant danger with his range of passing. So often it feels like the creativity of this Barcelona side relies entirely on Messi’s shoulders but Coutinho is capable of helping him out. He might not have grabbed an assist but he was key to opening up Eibar’s stubborn backline.
A nice chipped ball over the top for Messi almost made it 2-0 but the Argentine but denied by the goalkeeper. And with time running out, Coutinho would make his presence on the pitch count. He opened up the play by producing a wonderful ball to the opposite flank for Aleix Vidal. The full-back would charge into the box and cross for Messi, who was denied again, but Jordi Alba converted the rebound.
Diego Costa being Diego Costa
I mentioned a few weeks ago that Atletico Madrid’s fine season is being largely ignored. This is due Barcelona’s relentless record both domestically and in Europe. However Diego Simeone’s men continue to grind out results themselves and are doing all they can to keep the title race alive.
A key addition in January was Diego Costa. He’s such an engrossing figure. Like an unruly child, he constantly seems to be up to something. An adult version of Dennis the Menace, if you will. If he isn’t scoring, he’s moaning. If he isn’t fouling someone, he’s rolling about on the floor himself. It must be exhausting for the officials to deal with him every couple of minutes.
We saw every facet to his game against Athletic Club. He was booked for insinuating that the linesman was crazy for flagging him offside. Not long after this he was falling down in the box. The referee saw nothing wrong much to Costa’s surprise. There was even time for an elbow which caught Unai Nuñez in the face. Once again, the referee saw nothing illegal. And finally, of course, Costa got himself on the scoresheet in the 80th minute.
Whether you like him or not, there’s no denying that Costa’s addition to the team is a masterstroke.
Not pretty but effective for Valencia
Football should be entertaining but that doesn’t mean it has to be. Valencia’s rip roaring start to the season saw them produce some of the best attacking displays in the division. After a couple of key injuries, at both ends of the pitch, they’ve lost their rhythm – and their swagger.
Valencia’s flirtation with the Copa del Rey was stopped by Barcelona a couple of weeks ago.
Before last week’s victory over Levante, Valencia’s form was something you’d expect to see of a side near the bottom of the table. Since December they’d lost six out of their last nine. A title tilt was over and it’s now about securing Champions League football. No more distractions, no more excuses.
And while the performances against Levante last week and Malaga on Saturday were poor, it doesn’t really matter. All that matters is they are six points better off for it. You could make an argument for Valencia deserving to lose both of those matches but it’s a sign of their character that they didn’t. And even more so that they later went on to win.
While all their rivals are still in other competitions, Valencia have a free run at the league. This means Champions League football remains firmly in their hands. And, while a trophy would’ve been nice, they are way ahead of schedule under Marcelino and that’s something to be proud of.
Not effective but pretty for Betis
The one thing Betis fans can’t complain about this season is the entertainment value on show under Quique Setien. It might not always see them walk away with three points but you’ll certainly get your money’s worth. Goals are essentially guaranteed – but as much for the opposition as their own team!
It’s the third time in two months a match of theirs has seen a team score five goals. Unfortunately in two of those three it’s Betis who were on the receiving end. They also lost 6-3 to Valencia and 5-0 to Eibar in the first round of fixtures. So while it might be fun to watch, there’s a slight concern the team is suffering for it in the defensive side of things.
You can make the argument that playing nice football and losing is better than winning with ugly football. Yet ultimately football is about winning and when you don’t, you need to learn from your mistakes.
There are no greater entertainers in LaLiga than Betis but Setien still has a lot of work to do in order to make his team more competitive. He’ll be desperate to avoid another situation like the one he found himself in at Las Palmas.
Everything is in place for Betis to challenge near the top of the table. Everything apart from their defence that is.
Sarabia inspires Sevilla to victory
There aren’t many players in the last two seasons who represent better value for money than Pablo Sarabia. A parting gift from Monchi is proof that you can still find bargains, even if prices only seem to be increasing across the board. €1m is all it took for Sarabia to swap Getafe for Sevilla and right now, he’s one of their most consistent performers.
Against Las Palmas he was a constant threat. His movement in the box makes him a lot more than just a winger but also a fine finisher. Sevilla’s first goal came as a result of him getting free on the right, dribbling past his man and forcing the keeper into a save. Unfortunately for the stopper the rebound landed at Wissam Ben Yedder’s feet and he couldn’t miss.
Not to be denied, Sarabia did get on the scoresheet eventually. Franco Vazquez floated in a beautiful cross and there was Sarabia to poke home from close range. This was his fourth goal in five matches, alongside two assists. If Manchester should fear one man right now, it’s Pablo Sarabia.
As for Las Palmas, they have every right to be angry at not snatching a draw against Sevilla. At 2-1, they had the ball in the back of the net but the linesman flagged for offside. Alex Galvez’s fine finish, chipping it over Sergio Rico, ultimately didn’t count. With Levante losing, that point could prove to be crucial come the end of the season.
