Atlético Madrid stutter while Rayo grab a point at Bielsa’s Athletic

 Atlético Madrid 0 – 0 Osasuna

Osasuna held out to keep a frustrated Atlético Madrid at bay as the sides fought out a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderón Stadium. Atleti Madrid lined up in an attacking 4-4-3 formation yet the biggest talking points were the absence of their new signing Falcao and also Diego Forlán. Uruguay striker Forlan was left out off the squad amid speculation that he will soon sign with Inter Milan, while Falcao was unavailable due to a delay in his transfer from FC Porto. How Atleti missed someone that could unlock a sturdy Osasuna defence.

Atleti came closest to opening the scoring in the first half when Atlético’s new attacking midfielder Eduardo Salvio grazed the post with a long-range shot two minutes before halftime. Asier Riesgo pulled off some out-standing saves to keep the game goalless before half-time.

The second half started with Atleti pushing for that opening goal against substitute goal-keeper Andres Fernandes. Again, Atleti came the closest to opening the scoring when José Antonio Reyes rattled the woodwork in the 59^th minute. Both sides had opportunities to snatch a late victory. Osasuna forward Juan “Nino” Martinez fired wide from inside the area in the 90^th minute, and Atleti striker Adrián forced a diving save from Fernandez in injury time.

Atleti will be hoping that all the formalities of the Falcao transfer will be settled very soon.

Atlético Madrid: Courtois; Silvio, Perea, Domínguez, Filipe Luis; Tiago (Juanfran, m. 75), Mario Suárez, Gabi; Reyes, Adrián, Salvio (Arda Turan, m. 61).

Osasuna: Asier Riesgo (Andrés Fernández, m. 44); Marc Bertrán, Sergio, Roversio, Raitala; Cejudo, Nekounam, Puñal, Timor (Lamah, m. 59); Nino, Kike Sola (Lolo, m. 80).

Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano were welcomed back into La Liga with a trip to San Mámes in the Basque region. After a quiet first-half, the match exploded after half time with two goals in seven minutes. Athletic Bilbao opened the scoring in the 55th minute through Ander Iturraspe. Iturraspe collected Iker Muniain’s pass and burst into the area before shooting across Dani Gimenez and high into the net. The response from Rayo Vallecano was immediate and they drew level seven minutes later when Movilla finished brilliantly.

In the first half, Rayo Vallecano were content to sit in and frustrate Athletic Bilbao, leading to a half that saw very few chances. It was however, the away side who had the first effort on goal with Gorka Iraizoz saving well from a Michu effort. Athletic started the second half in a determined mood and deservedly took the lead when Iturraspe rounded off a fine team move with a composed finish. Rayo’s response was rapid with substitute Lass Bangoura stretching the Athletic defence and causing trouble for the home side. Movilla equalised with a left footed shot into the bottom right corner. Movilla should have put the visitors in front a minute later but shot straight at Iraizoz. The hosts had two great opportunities to claim all three points but both Igor Gabilondo and Llorente shot wide when presented with clear sights of goal.

Rayo Vallecano will be delighted with a much deserved point away from home on their return to La Liga.

Iturraspe ’55,  Movilla ‘62

Athletic Club: Iraizoz; Gurpegui (Iraola, min.46), San José, Amorebieta, De Marcos; Javi Martínez; Markel Susaeta (Gabilondo, min.57), Iturraspe, Herrera, Muniain (Toquero, min.72); Llorente.

Rayo Vallecano: Dani Jiménez; Tito, Arribas, Figueras, Casado; Piti (Delibasic, min.79), Movilla, Javi Fuego, Botelho (Néstor Susaeta, min.85); Trashorras (Lass, min.59), Michu.

Mallorca 1 – 0 Espanyol

Mallorca welcomed Espanyol to the Iberostar on the first day of La Liga and claimed all three points with a deserved one nil victory. The only goal of the match came half an hour from time when a Jonathan de Guzman shot was deflected into the back of the net. Both sides looked confident in possession yet lacked the killer instinct in front of goal, Espanyol in particular looked weak in front of goal after the departure of Pablo Osvaldo who signed for AS Roma last week.

From the start of the game, Mallorca signaled their intention and started brightly and should have been ahead after four minutes when Alejandro Alfaro fired wide after being put through, one on one with goal-keeper Christian Alvarez. Alvarez was called on three times in quick succession with saves from Hemed, De Guzman and a misguided header from his own defender. Espanyol should have taken the lead in the 27^th minute when Álvaro Vásquez was inches away from connecting with a superb cross, however it wasn’t to be and the first half finished goalless.

Espanyol should have taken the lead early in the second half through Vasques, the Spanish under 20 striker did this time connect with a cross however diverted it wide of the post. Eventually the goal did come and it came in the 62^nd minute. De Guzman fired a shot that looked to be easy pickings for the goal-keeper Alvarez; however it cruelly took a wicked deflection and nestled in the back of the net. The goal seemed to startle the visitors into life yet the eagerness to draw level left gaping holes in their defense and with more discipline, Mallorca really could have added goals in this game.

De Guzman ‘62

Mallorca: Aouate; Zuiverloon, Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Nsue, Martí, De Guzmán, Tejera (Víctor, min. 65); Alfaro (Castro, min. 59), Hemed (Pina, min. 75)

Espanyol: Cristian Álvarez; Javi López, Amat, Héctor Moreno, Dídac; Baena, Verdú, Javi Márquez (Sergio García, min. 73); Luis García (Albín. 57), Rui Fonte; Álvaro (Thievy, min. 73).

Getafe 1 – 1 Levante

At the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Getafe and Levante shared the points in their La Liga opening fixture. Miku looked to have the won the game for Getafe after finishing a wonderful team goal however, Levante leveled the match with a controversial equalizer from Juanlu.

The first effort on goal was created by some good combination play by Getafe which resulted in Miku having a glimpse at goal but fired his shot straight at goal-keeper Gustavo Munua. Lacen also came close to putting Getafe in front when he headed over after another good team move. It was Levante that came closest in the first half when Ruben Suarez fired a shot that missed the post by inches.

In the 61^st minute, the deadlock was broken and it was broken with some style. The Venezuelan playmaker received the ball and played a delightful one two with Lacen and volleyed into the top right corner. Where the Getafe goal was brilliant, the Levante goal was rather fortuitous. Carlos Aranda appeared to handle the ball before feeding Juanlu who got the break of the ball and fired beyond goal-keeper Miguel Angel Moyà. There was one final chance for Getafe to grab all three points yet Pedro Rios fired his free kick harmlessly over the bar.

Levante will be delighted at snatching a point from this encounter.

Miku ’61, Juanlu ‘77

Getafe: Moyá; Miguel Torres, ”Cata” Díaz, Lopo, Mané (Masilela, m.16); Pedro Ríos, Lacen, Casquero (Güiza, m.84), Juan Rodríguez, Abdel (Sarabia, m.59); Miku.

Levante: Munúa; Javi Venta, Ballesteros, Nano, Juanfran; Xavi Torres (Aranda, m.76), Iborra; Pedro López (El Zhar, m.70), Barquero; Rubén (Juanlu, m.59), Valdo.

Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Bielsa, Espanyol, Rayo Vallecano