The Spanish Take: La Liga Roundup Matchday 7

Barcelona returned to the top of the table as Real Madrid were frustrated by Osasuna, and Atleti continued their ascent to the top 4

Also read: Analytics Report: Premier League Player Of The Week – Matchday 9 – Leandro Trossard & Erling Haaland

Lewandowski ensures Barca sneak out of Mallorca with all 3 points

I’m not sure Barca fans have any nails left to nibble on after that tense game on Saturday night. Everything bar the scoreline favoured the home side Mallorca who managed to create the better chances, took more shots, and finished the game with a higher xG. If not for the heroics of Lewy and Ter Stegen, Barca would certainly have dropped points.

The Blaugrana sorely missed the duo of Araujo and Kounde, both out due to injuries that were picked up during the international break. Pique and Christensen filled in for them, and while the Dane impressed, the duo aren’t starters for a reason. The Polish assassin Lewandowski was on it as he created something out of nothing scoring early into the game. Mallorca huffed and puffed, but Barca did just enough to keep them at bay.

Ter Stegen has been phenomenal this season so far, keeping his 6th clean sheet in 7 games as Barca has conceded only 1 goal so far this season. Impenetrable!

The performances catch up with Madrid

If you’ve followed this series, you would have seen me constantly mention how Madrid managed to get results despite their performances rather than due to it. On Sunday, it finally caught up with them. The Los Blancos were lucky to get the lead through Vini’s cross that beat everyone in the box. Osasuna played their heart out and deservedly equalized early into the second half.

As always in a tight situation, Ancelotti’s eyebrow went up, and so did Madrid’s impetus to the winning goal. It seemed to have almost worked as Madrid won a penalty and Osasuna was given a red card. To everyone’s surprise, Mr Clutch himself, Benzema, failed to convert the penalty as Sergio Herrera had a night to remember in goal.

This result sees them drop to second on goal difference.

Atleti returns to winning ways against struggling Sevilla

Goals in either half from Simeone’s men were enough to dispatch this rather tame and disjointed Sevilla side. Morata, in particular, wreaked havoc, and the Sevilla defence just couldn’t cope with his movement. Atleti stuck to their usual plan, ceded possession and played on the counter while the Andalusian side just played into their hands.

This is the last stand for Lopetegui, with this loss, Sevilla sits 1 point and 1 place above the relegation zone, with them facing Athletic Bilbao when they return from the Champions League. With so many managers currently available, it seems a matter of when not if the former Madrid Manager gets the sack.

Best of the Rest

Girona 3-5 Real Sociedad

One of the most exciting of the weekend, an 8-goal thriller, not the greatest of days for the goalkeeper’s union as both keepers would feel they could have done better.

If you haven’t seen it yet, Rodrigo Riquelme’s goal is one of the coldest yet this season.  He casually nutmegged Zubimendi and then banged it in – top bin from 25 yards out. It was nice to see David Silva still pulling the strings for his side.

That’s a wrap for The Spanish Take.