It was a welcome round of fixtures for Spanish outfits, who registered magnanimous victories against their rivals from across the Old Continent.
Benfica - Barcelona
After their initial disappointment in the Spanish Super Cup, Tito Vilanova’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus’ Benfica were the latest outfit to succumb to the might and magic of the Catalan club, who have registered
nine wins and a solitary defeat in their ten competitive fixtures thus far.
Barcelona comfortably coasted past the challenge put up by Jorge Jesus’ charges, finally managing a good defensive performance that resulted in a clean sheet. Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas shared the goal scoring exploits between them in the 0-2 victory
in Estadio Da Luz, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 taking a step back and providing the balls on both occasions.
However, it was the disturbing injury to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 and the red card to Sergio Busquets that made the headlines. Interestingly, it was Puyol who was the highlight in the last match La Blaugrana had a sending off against from their ranks. It was the match
against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048 had earned an early shower, his first in Europe.
Fabregas’ goal was his fifth of the 2012/13 campaign, his third in the last two competitive fixtures. On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 opened his goal scoring account for the current season, his 16th for Barcelona. The Chilean had taken eight
matches to for the feat, with his last goal coming against Real Madrid in La Liga’s Jornada 34 of the penultimate season.
Moreover, it is the first time Barcelona have managed a victory in Benfica’s Estadio Da Luz, with their previous trips earning them goalless draws. There were handful of players in the Portuguese outfit’s ranks that had knowledge of La Blaugrana, namely
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Aimar-c28938 and Nolito (former Barcelona B).
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 - Lille
On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mauricio-c24899 Pellegrino’s men were finally able to step their run of poor performances against Lille. Los Che have disappointed in their La Liga adventures, standing in 10th place after six domestic outings. However, the stats were
in the favour of Argentine’s charges as they took on LOSC Lille. Valencia have lost a solitary match against French rivals in their last 16 meetings, and the current team did not disappoint in their meeting at the Mestalla.
However, they are evenly poised for progress to the knockout fixtures. Valencia stand in second place, above Bayern Munich on goal difference, with BATE Borisov holding a three point advantage over them.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-Soldado-c31367, while the second was a happenstance as his cross went into the goal. It was
Jonas’ third goal of the season, with his first coming in their first game of the season against Real Madrid.
Interestingly, it was Valencia’s centenary appearance in the prestigious European competition. The Valencian outfit have a formidable record against their names, boasting off 45 wins, 29 draws and 25 defeats. Additionally, the Mestalla based outfit have
scored over 150 goals and have let in a paltry 91.
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