La Liga Jornada 11

The computer has thrown up interesting fixture combinations this season, because after two top of the table clashes on matchday 10 (Valencia-Madrid and Atletico-Sevilla) we have another 2 this weekend: Sevilla-Madrid and Atletico-Villarreal. Both should be full of good football and lots of goals.

Valencia's trip to Mallorca should also be interesting, though I'm predicting a home win, and things to get worse before they get better for Koeman.

In other notable games, Barça should have an easy home win against a terrible Betis side, and Levante probably face a last chance to save their season as they host fellow potential relegation battlers Almeria.

MALLORCA Sab-20:00 VALENCIA
SEVILLA Sab-22:00 R. MADRID
ATLÉTICO Dom-17:00 VILLARREAL
LEVANTE Dom-17:00 ALMERÍA
ZARAGOZA Dom-17:00 VALLADOLID
OSASUNA Dom-17:00 GETAFE
RACING Dom-17:00 ESPANYOL
MURCIA Dom-17:00 DEPORTIVO
BARCELONA Dom-19:00 BETIS
ATHLETIC Dom-21:00 RECREATIVO

Athletic really need to start winning at home or they are going to find themselves in a precarious situation yet again come next April.

Yeah I read a stat (on La Liga Loca) saying they've scored just 7 goals, from only 3 different goalscorers. That's really asking for trouble.

Surprising there are so many dull teams this year, and they aren't small teams either - Betis, Athletic, Depor, etc.

I really thought Athletic were going to be good this year, they made some intelligent signings, I thought, and I guess I was expecting Caparros' second year for them to take off. They have some decent players...they could really use Yeste back. I think he's getting close to returning though.

Great match to start off - Mallorca vs. Valencia. Lineups:

Valencia:
Hildebrand; Caneira, Helguera, Alexis, Moretti; Albelda, Fernandes; Joaquín, Silva, Vicente; Morientes.

Mallorca:
Lux; Héctor, Ballesteros, Nunes, Fernando Navarro; Basinas; Jonás, Valero, Ibagaza, Arango; Güiza.


Koeman goes with something sensible at last, with a 4-4-1-1 and a midfield diamond. Looking forward to Fernandes starting, and Vicente+Joaquin on the wings should be a handful for Mallorca.

Anyone know why Miguel and Albiol are not starting?

Albiol is suspended. Not sure about Miguel.

Very unfortunate for Alexis. Looks to have a serious injury after an awkward fall.

Miguel has come on for Alexis, who suffered a shocking injury. You could see his knee give way and twist around in mid-air. Caneira moves to CB alongside Helguera...now there's a weakness for Mallorca to exploit.

The Koeman effect is clearly visible...this is so boring!!

It's quite shocking to watch a La Liga match that doesnt involve Madrid!! Such a drop in quality!

Fey wrote:It's quite shocking to watch a La Liga match that doesnt involve Madrid!! Such a drop in quality!

bullshit its more entertaining they don't try and bore the pants of the watching public a la madriz

Something has happended during this game...0-1 Morientes!

Morientes scores in 1st half injury time.

Fey wrote:Something has happended during this game...0-1 Morientes!

You sound completely taken by surprise

I'm, awful game so far!! Koeman is just like Benitez...and Valencia wanted an attacking minded coach? Hah!

They bore you to death and then strike (well not in Benitez Liverpool's case)

happy with koeman appointment gives us more of a chance, you lot sure he's dutch?

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:happy with koeman appointment gives us more of a chance, you lot sure he's dutch?

Regarding Koeman, my first instincts are but have no choice but to give him a chance.

Poulsen just ko'ed Guti....with his shoulder!

f@ck...1-0 Seville great goal by Keita!

2-0

Fabiano

2-0

donkey fabiano

f@ck.....2-0 Seville not so great goal by Fabiano! God could have done better!

Fey wrote:It's quite shocking to watch a La Liga match that doesnt involve Madrid!! Such a drop in quality!

2-0 Sevilla!

Ricardo Jol wrote:

Fey wrote:It's quite shocking to watch a La Liga match that doesnt involve Madrid!! Such a drop in quality!

2-0 Sevilla!

Well its a quality match that does involve Madrid..so

Maybe it is sevilla involving this game makes the math more interested :scrath:

HT: 2-0!! Madrid aint playing badly but Seville is such a counter team! Gago makes too many mistakes tonight for my taste.

Its a bit of a fight match, expect a red card in the second half!

Very disappointing first half. It's a shame because Sevilla scored just when we were taking control of the game. Some real comedic defending by us out there though. Sometimes Metzelder looks like he's running in slow motion. He's way too slow at times for my liking. Ramos needs to calm down a bit because if not he will definitely get a red card. I think the crowd is getting to him a bit with all the insults.

We should give credit to Sevilla though because they're playing very well. Some of the counter-attacks they're doing are real vintage Sevilla. Not having a right winger is really affecting us at the moment though. Since Sevilla's dangerous counter attacks have tackled our right side when Ramos goes up, Ramos has been more hesitant to go up at times. This means that Van Nistelrooy and Raul have had to drop there and this shouldn't happen. Both players are too slow and they can't get away from their man if their lives depended on it.

I hope Schuster goes all out and takes out Diarra. The only problem is that Drenthe seems like the only feasible option and I don't trust him to perform in a big game at this stage. I would also like to see Baptista go in for Raul to give us a more physical presence up front but something tells me that Schuster will bring on Saviola instead (which would be a mistake IMO).

Schuster never performs a substitute before the 70 minute! He is gonna stick with this team and then makes some chances

Saviola will most likely be the one thats get a chance!

We're also suffering from the fact that Guti is in charge of all deadball situations. His crosses from corners and free kicks have absolutely no bite in them. Very easy to defend against them.

Red card for Ramos