The 32nd match day of LaLiga has ended with the sentence of the championship. Real Madrid took down Barcelona in stoppage time, thus delivering the finishing blow to the azulgrana’s nightmare of a week in which they were eliminated from the Champions League and missed their last chance of competing for the league title. As for the relegation battle, Cádiz have seen most of their rivals break away and their hopes of staying in the Spanish top division fade out after being defeated by Girona, who are guaranteed to play European football next season. Here we go with this week’s edition of LaLiga Overtime.
LaLiga Overtime – Match Day #32:
‘Cafucas’ takes over ‘El Clásico’:
Spanish football’s ‘El Clásico’ took place this weekend. Santiago Bernabéu became the epicenter of worldwide football with all of its eyes set on the 22 players that took the pitch. Among players like Lamine Yamal, Vinícius, Lewandowski or Bellingham, the protagonist was a supporting actor. A player that feels Real Madrid’s colours like no other: Lucas Vázquez.
The Galician is the perfect example of a club player. He does not complain about being in the bench, helps build chemestry in the locker room and, whenever he is required to play, he performs. The duel against Barça was no exception.
Lucas dressed up as Cafú and was the best player of the match. He scored a goal, dished out an assist and drew a penalty. The Galician defender defended his badge. ‘Cafucas’ is, like the match, a ‘clásico’ of LaLiga and Real Madrid.
What if… Isi shows up?
Rayo Vallecano are walking by the edge of a cliff this season. After the successful stint of Iraola as the manager of the ‘bucaneros’, the arrival of Francisco did not fulfill the hopes of the ‘franjirrojo’ side.
The bad results came through and relegation seemed closer than ever. When faced by such a risky situation, Rayo decided to shake up their bench and take a chance on someone whose ideas lined up with what Iraola started. Íñigo Pérez, the assistant manager of the Basque manager at Vallecas, was the chosen candidate.
This week’s faceoff against Osasuna was critical. The Pamplonica side took the lead and the shadow of relegation began to lurk the Vallecas neighbourhood. Rayo needed a hero. To be precise, their hero. A player that wears number ‘7’ and possesses one of the most charismatic bald heads in LaLiga.
Isi Palazón has not had his best year, but as if he were Spiderman, he came through when the neighbourhood needed him the most. A tremendous goal to come back in stoppage time, to come closer to salvation and to ensure Rayo fans that Isi always shows up, they do not need to ask. As a result, it is only fitting that he is one of the protagonists in this week’s LaLiga Overtime.
The return of The King:
Celta faced a vital match for their hopes to stay in the First Division. Las Palmas visited Balaídos to rival a Galician side that needed a win in order to breathe a sigh of relief. This got off to a bad start as the Canary side struck first and had chances to increase ther lead.
But then, Vigo witnessed the return of The King as if they were in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, the return of Iago Aspas at his best. Being called a Prince seems like too little for the Galician striker, who proved that he is one of the best players in the league.
In his worst year scoring-wise (he had only recorded five goals), Aspas brandished his sword and pierced the team managed by García Pimienta. Two goals and two assists to give Claudio Giráldez his first great evening at the Galician squad’s home ground. ‘La Rianxeira’, that had been silent lately, blasted once again at Balaídos as a result of the team’s win, a massive step towards avoiding relegation, and because their King, Don Iago Aspas Juncal, had returned.
Translated by Nuño Alonso.
Main image: Edit by Pablo Benítez.
At ELXIIDEAL we have a great opportunity to advertise your business via our website and social media network.
