Girona - Leganés (3-0)
The round 24 started with two of the most surprising teams this season. Girona under Pablo Machín has been an absolute joy to watch this season, while Leganés have impressed a lot under Asier Garitano reaching the semi-final in the Copa del Rey.
In this game there was no doubt where the points were going. Christian Stuani sent Girona into an early lead after a penalty, before Christian Portu doubled some minutes later with a great solo run right before half time. The final goal of the game didn’t come before right at the end, but Girona was yet again really impressive, and will be fighting for Europa League-spots in their first La Liga-Season ever.
Girona will face an almost impossible task next weekend when they will play against Barcelona at Camp Nou in a little Catalan-Derby. Leganés on the other side will have an easier game at home against Las Palmas in a game they should be able to take points from the Gran Canarian-team.
Las Palmas - Sevilla (1-2)
Gracias and farewell Jonathan Viera! His final game (probably) before leaving to China ended with another and sad loss for the team from the very popular island. The game didn’t start pretty well either with Ben Yedder scoring the opener in the first half, before Pablo Sarabia made it even more difficult in the second half for Las Palmas when he netted Sevilla’s second goal.
Picture Source
Hope were brought in when Jonathan Calleri converted a penalty ten minutes before the end of the game. When Alejandro Gálvez put the goal in the net at the end of the game, everyone thought Las Palmas had got a point, but… A wrongly disallowed goal destroyed Las Palmas’ hope, and that point could be crucial at the end of the season in the bottom for Las Palmas.
Eibar - Barcelona (0-2)
Without a win against the top three ever before the match, and without a win against the top three after the match for Eibar.. Eibar started the game really good, but didn’t take their chances before Luis Suárez yet again punished a new opponent with an another goal. Eibar continued to push, and pushed and pushed the whole game, before Fabian Orellana so stupidly got his second yellow card for a reaction after a foul, meaning Eibar had to play 10 vs 11 against the best team in the league, in their hope for a equalizer. Of course that couldn’t be, and Jordi Alba scored the final and second goal in the 88th minute securing another new three points for the visitors. This was not a very good match by Barcelona, but a very typical Barcelona-win this season with another solid win under Ernesto Valverde.
Eibar will travel to Galicia and play Celta Vigo next weekend, while Barcelona will have a new opportunity for three points against Girona at Camp Nou.
Alavés - Deportivo (1-0)
The Clarence Seedorf-effect didn’t happen, and his second loss in a row is a fact. Where is the fighting spirit, the passion and the will from the Depor-team? A Munir-golazo were the only difference in this game, but Depor will have to start taking points soon if they want to survive! 19 on the table, and things are looking so bad for the visitors, while Alavés under Abelardo has been a huge revelation! 22 points after he came in December climbing from the bottom to now being number 15 at the table! So so impressive by Abelardo and his men.
The next five games against Espanyol, Getafe, Eibar, Girona and Las Palmas will be absolute crucial for Clarence Seedorf and his men, if they want to survive this season. Alavés though has almost secured their place after they outstanding turnaround. Next week they will have a bit more trouble at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the capital.
Málaga - Valencia (1-2)
It looked so promising for Málaga, and so disappointing for Valencia for so long. Málaga should probably have had a second goal too after they got a goal wrongly (?) disallowed. Of course Málaga yet again slipped not just one time, but two times. Francis Coquelin equalized from a corner with a header ten minutes before the end. Just some minutes later Guedes showed his brilliance with a glorious pass ending with a penalty for Valencia and a red card, that Dani Parejo converted and scoring their winner. Another crucial three points for Valencia, and another disappointing night for Málaga unfortunately
It’s so hard to see Málaga staying up when you see matches like this, and losing very even matches game after game. They should definitely have got points from this game, but it’s just not Málaga’s season this year. Málaga will play at San Mamés next weekend against Athletic, and Valencia will be playing at Mestalla against Real Sociedad in an entertaining game.