Before the weekend started it looked like Valencia vs Villarreal was going to be the biggest game of La Liga week five. Meanwhile, Barcelona vs Girona was supposed to be a blowout.
As they say, that’s why the games are played. Valencia and Villarreal played out a boring and tactical draw. However, we can thank this edition of a Catalan Derby for making up for it.
La Liga Week Five: Barca Drop Points, Madrid Clubs Don’t
Barcelona vs Girona
After the first 20’ at the Camp Nou, Barcelona were ahead 1-0 through another lovely Lionel Messi finish. It looked like the forgone blowout was in the making.
But when Clement Lenglet was sent off for an elbow on Portu, the whole game changed. And when Cristhian Stuani scored a lovely goal right before halftime to make it 1-1 it sure was game on.
As the second half began Barcelona you could feel Girona’s ascendance. Right after halftime, Portu had a shot saved by Ter Stegen but his save rebounded right to Stuani who fired it into the top corner. Girona Wild! They had the lead at the Camp Nou! Unbelievable.
It would not last, not with all this quality on the other side. After Messi had three wonderful free kick chances, forcing two saves and hitting the post, you could feel it coming.
Finally, Messi got the ball on the wing and got to byline, his ball ricocheted off the Girona ‘keeper and onto Gerard Pique’s head, who finished the move. Barcelona had the equalizer.
It felt like from their they might go on and win the game down a man. They had chances; Jordi Alba had a couple of bad balls at the worst moment, chances he would’ve taken on his day. When the final whistle sounded there was no winner to be found; only questions for the referee, as even with VAR it wouldn’t be Spain without controversy.
Madrid Clubs
As for the other big boys in La Liga week five, both Madrid clubs were in action on Saturday. First Atletico Madrid travelled to Getafe and got a 2-0 win against a feisty Getafe side. But it was the Thomas Lemar show.
Lemar had a fantastic strike from 25 yards that went off the post and off Getafe ‘keeper Joaquin Soria’s back, into the net. Later on, he finished off the second goal after a lovely move and from their Atletico cruised.
Later that night Real Madrid took on Espanyol at the Bernabeu. This is not a very good Espanyol side but they should their best at the white house.
Madrid were virtually unable to break down this Espanyol side in the type of game where Sergio Ramos is the highest rated player on the pitch without even scoring. The Madristas ground a 1-0 win out at the Bernabeu for three points in the bag.
Betis vs Athletic Bilbao
Sunday night saw dueling fantastic games in the Spanish night. Right before the start of Barca vs Girona, Betis played host to Athletic Bilbao on a very hot night at the Benito Villamarin.
Betis have really struggled to start this season only scoring one goal going into this game. By the time 30’ were gone Betis were already down 2-0 with what looked like no chance of coming back.
That all changed thanks to Mikael Susaeta who got himself sent off for two first-half yellows. Betis then came out flying in the second half, finally getting a goal from a Marc Bartra wonder strike!
Yes that Marc Bartra, the defender, gave Betis the goal they needed. Then in the 68’ Sergio Canales got the ball at the top of the box and put in the in the bottom corner. And thus began the siege of Bilbao.
Betis probed and probed and probed some more. Joaquin was creating chance after chance; one particular cross found Tony Sanabria who missed a wide-open header.
It was a golden chance for the Paraguayan, who left it wanting. Sadly there was to be no winner as the teams split both the points and the halves during La Liga week five.
Next Weekend
La Liga is giving us a super Saturday next weekend starting off with Barcelona taking on Athletic Bilbao. It’s at the Camp Nou, not as good as San Mames, but it should still be a great game.
But that is only the appetizer for the first Madrid Derby of the season. Let’s see how good Julen Lopetegui’s Real Madrid really are when they host Diego Simeone’s talented and tactical Atletico.
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