LaLiga Recap: Madrid Clubs Shine, Barcelona Stumbles
The latest LaLiga weekend delivered another round of exciting football action, and it was the last series of matches before the upcoming international break. Barcelona faced an unexpected setback against Granada, while the Madrid clubs continued their impressive performances. Here, we bring you the key takeaways from matchday nine.
Granada Stands Tall Against Barcelona
Granada's Bryan Zaragoza had the last laugh as he scored twice against Barcelona, leading his team to a surprising 2-2 draw. This 22-year-old winger, now a part of the Spanish national squad, has accumulated an impressive five goals. What makes this even more intriguing is that his release clause is set at just £12 million (€14 million). Granada seems to have a real gem on their hands.
Record-Breaking Youngster Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal made history by becoming La Liga's youngest-ever scorer at the age of 16 years and 87 days. He achieved this milestone by converting a pass from Joao Felix, securing his name in the record books.
Greenwood Opens His Account for Getafe
Mason Greenwood, on loan from Manchester United, scored his first goal for Getafe, a spectacular shot that left the net shaking. It was so fast that some players were still appealing for a penalty when he was already celebrating with the fans.
Sevilla's Sudden Coach Changes
Sevilla has been changing coaches at an alarming rate, and it's a situation that may not bode well for the club. After saving them from relegation and leading them to Europa League success last season, Jose Luis Mendilibar was sacked after only eight games into the current season. The revolving door of coaches, combined with underwhelming summer signings and the added pressure of the Champions League, has cast doubts on Sevilla's stability.
Potential New Coaches for Sevilla
The next coach for Sevilla could be Javi Gracia, who has previously worked with Sporting Director Vitor Orta at Leeds. Julen Lopetegui and Marcelino are also available but have already coached Sevilla. Andoni Iraola is another candidate, provided he's available due to a vacancy at Bournemouth.
Joselu's Unexpected Success at Real Madrid
Despite unimpressive stints at Stoke and Newcastle, Joselu has become a reliable goalscorer for Real Madrid. In his four home games for the club, he has found the back of the net in each one. He missed a late penalty but remains a valuable asset for the team.
Atletico Madrid's Strong Home Record
Atletico Madrid has won 14 consecutive home league games, equaling a record set back in the 2012-13 season. Despite injuries affecting the squad, they secured a third win in just seven days, putting them five points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.
Jude Bellingham's Remarkable Start
Jude Bellingham's impressive start at Real Madrid continues, with ten goals in his first ten games. This achievement is unparalleled since Cristiano Ronaldo's time at the club. To find someone who scored more in their first ten games, you have to go back to Alfredo di Stefano, who managed 11.
Referee Controversy Hangs Over Barcelona
The ongoing investigation into Barcelona allegedly paying a vice-president of the referees' federation is affecting the team's image. This cloud of suspicion has made rivals scrutinize every decision that goes in Barcelona's favor, even though the situation dates back five years.
Madrid's Defensive Crisis? Not Quite
Aurelien Tchouameni, dubbed 'Desailly' by Luka Modric, seamlessly transitioned from a holding midfield role to center-back for Real Madrid. Although he doesn't prefer this position, his stellar performance in the absence of key defenders suggests he may be used there again.
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