TOUR EVENT
Three clubs from the leading four won synchronous victories . Such unanimity is not at all characteristic of the Spanish leaders. “Valencia”, “Barca” and “Real” gave out very different matches, but all at the same time won three points. “Seville” allowed a relative misfire, taking away only a draw from Pamplona. The Sevilla coach Juande Ramos, it seems, is very important match with Tottenham, otherwise there is no way to explain the absence in the starting lineup of the top scorer of the championship Frederic Canute. In general, the line of applicants for Spanish gold stepped forward as if on command. The calendar for all the leaders is not easy, so we are likely to see no more such army corrections this season.
HERO TOUR
By the 70th minute of the match “Racing” - “Athletic” the scoreboard was on 2–2, but the surname of the main Santander striker Nikola Zhigich did not appear on the scoreboard. A week ago, together with the national team of Serbia, he made a tiring voyage to Kazakhstan, where his goal did not help the team avoid embarrassment. The Athletics defenders easily coped with the clearly tired Zhigich, and it seemed that the striker would no longer replenish his scorer. But as soon as the match came to an end, the Serb in the manner of an experienced marathoner gave a powerful jerk. From the 70th to the 89th minute, he designed a hat-trick, and his “Racing” won a thriller-like victory 5-4.
Nikola igić moved to Spain last year - the Santanders were impressed with his game for Crvena Zvezda, where he scored 55 goals in 77 matches. The examples of Milosevic and Kovachevich inspired Racing with confidence that the new overall Serb would adapt in the Pyrenees without any problems. And so it happened. Today, Italian clubs are hunting for igić, and in Spain Valencia is more active than the rest. But if the leadership had already decided on a transfer, then 19 minutes of the match against Athletics were unlikely to strengthen him in this. Now Racing has the right to revise the value of the player.
TOUR FAILURE
"Celta . " In the recent past, Real Madrid was afraid of trips to Vigo. At the time of John Toshak, metropolitan guests were given such a slap in the face that it hurt for several years (somehow Celta defeated Real Madrid 5: 1). Today, the Vigovites settled in the lower classes, but even in such a miserable condition they were able to insult the royal club by beating Real in the first round. The current visit to Vigo again proved to be problematic for Madrid: Celta, as if calling for the shadows of the past to help, skillfully imposed its will on the guests. Almost all statistics spoke for the hosts - twice as many shots on goal, defeat in the corners 8: 0. And at the same time 2: 1 in favor of Real Madrid on the scoreboard. “Celta” walks along a very fine line, being on the last line of salvation. Only one point separates the team from the relegation zone, so Celta conducts each match selflessly and emotionally. “Real” had the opportunity to experience all the charms of confrontation with a desperate team: rigidity in martial arts, constant pressure, and more. True, such selflessness also had a flip side - nerves. At decisive moments, they failed. With the score 1: 1, Jesus Perera was obliged to replay Casillas, but, falling under the magic of the name, did not fall into an empty corner. A little later, the goaltender of Celta Pinto could not fix a simple ball and gave Real Madrid a completely undeserved victory. The losing teams always deftly juggle with words about bad luck, but this time it’s worth listening to the Wig’s complaints - “Celte” was really unlucky.
TOUR SENSATION
The 28th round did not present conspicuous sensations. Therefore, it is worth digging a little deeper. Curious “excavations” we find in the suburbs of Madrid, where almost the most home team based Getafe examples are based. In 14 matches in his native Alfonso Perez, the regional team conceded just 4 goals - an incredible figure for a starless club! Bernd Schuster, the builder of these indestructible barriers, can now choose between Real Madrid and Valencia, who want to see him at home. And now - a sensational failure in the system! In a match with Zaragoza, Getafe conceded two goals in one half - half of their seasonal norm. Television cameras rarely snatched Schuster, as if afraid of his furious reaction to what was happening. Knowing the ardor of the German coach, you can guess how he talked with the team during the break. In the second half, “Zaragoza” no longer scored, and “Getafe” found the strength to eliminate the deficit. A good outcome for the Schuster team, but these two goals conceded ...
TOUR TREND
On Saturdays, the Spanish Championship is traditionally not too much fun. There are few goals scored and sometimes even dangerous moments on the fingers can be counted. And here is a new trend: the very first Saturday match set the tone for the whole round . “Betis” and “Villarreal” plotted a dashing plot and filled out the names of the modest scoreboard of the Seville stadium - 3: 3. Following them, Valencia and Espanyol frolic. There was 3: 2. Thus, a couple of Saturday fights blocked almost a six-month norm of this traditionally boring day. Next Saturday, by the way, Zaragoza will play against Barcelona.
CM. ALSO
Midfielder of “Celta” Anderson Nene gives a phenomenal assisted pass with his heel Lopez Angel.
TOUR DIGIT
French veteran Robert Pires scored his 1st goal for Villarreal. The 33-year-old player recovered for a long time after an injury and played only the second match this season. With a goal against Betis, Pires extended a curious series: since 1993, when he was still playing for the Mets, Pires has scored at least one goal per season.
Timur CRANES