Review of Spanish top flight football: Round 2 - La Liga Special (Part 2)
In this second part, we resume our overview of La Liga action from the previous weekend.
Granada 0 Real Betis 1
Granada welcomed fellow new comers and relegation candidates Real Betis to Los Carmenes. This was a repeat of their season opening clash in Segunda Division last year and offered a lot more as the two clubs locked horns in the top tier of Spanish football.
Both clubs would have hoped for a win to set them on their path of La Liga survival in their first year back in top flight. Real Betis were back with the big boys after a gap of two years while Granada’s return took 36 years in the making. The fixture gave Betis a much needed winning start to the Primeira Liga, with Ruben Castro hitting the back of the net late on.
The mood at Los Carmenes was enthusiastic as a new look Granada side started their much awaited league return. As many as eight debutants were in the starting line-up. Fabriciano Gonzalez sent his best team to match his fellow promoted side. It was a dull affair and looked headed towards a goalless draw with two minutes to go, however, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonathan-c18993 Pereira cross. In the end it was a justifiable result for Real Betis who enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and came close on more than one occasion.
Atletico Madrid 0 – 0 Osasuna
A determined Osasuna team held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in the opening fixture at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Forlan.
Forlan was unavailable as he completed his much dreaded move to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan while Falcao could not start due to delay in his transfer applications. Atletico were made to feel the cost of their mistake as they lacked his presence to unlock defiant Osasuna defence.
In the first half, Los Rojiblancos came closest to opening the scoring through returning Argentine striker c*m winger, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Eduardo-Salvio-c12079. The young right footed player sent a scorching shot on goal which grazed the post from long range, just two short minutes before halftime. The opening dalliances between the two sides remained dull for the duration as they fought over possession. Osasuna had to thank shot stopper Asier Riesgo for keeping the score level at half time.
Atletico Madrid started the second half full of determination as they pushed for the opening goal. They took their chances as substitute goalkeeper Andres Fernandez lined up in goal, with Asier injured. With all their efforts they were unlucky to get on the score sheet and get their first win of the season. Jose Antonio Reyes rattled the woodwork on 59th minute mark but Atleti’s impotency in front of goal did not change.
In the closing minutes of the game, both sides had chances on goal which their respective attackers did not profit from. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrián-López-c3736 was unlucky not to get the goal for his side as Fernandez made a diving save to deny him.
Atletico will be hoping that they can complete the formalities of record signing Falcao as soon as possible, so that his services are available to the manager.
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