A new match day means it is time for a new iteration of LaLiga Overtime, the section in which we go over the defining moments of the domestic competition. This week, LaLiga Overtime will focus in Dodi Lukebakio, Vedat Muriqi and Míchel’s Girona.
LaLiga Overtime – Match Day #7:
The sevillana of ‘Lukebakinho Gaucho’:
Sevillanas are a Spanish folk dance related to the southern part of Spain, specifically Andalusia, and are danced to flamenco music. A tradition when one arrives in Seville is to go to a flamenco ‘tablao’ and even dare to dance.
This is what Dodi Lukebakio has done in a very special venue: the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium. After a flawless debut against Las Palmas in which he scored the decisive goal, the Belgian winger had his first start in front of Sevilla’s fans. The ‘tablao’ was ready for the show of the former Herta Berlin player, one of the protagonists of this week’s ‘LaLiga Overtime’.
In the eighth minute of the match Dodi delighted us with a ‘sevillana’ disguised as a samba. Sevilla’s number ’11’ got the ball at the edge of the box and the dance began. After dribbling past Dion Lopy and striking the ball with his right foot (which also happens to be his week foot) to the top corner of the goal defended by Luis Maximiano.
An absolute masterpiece from ‘Lukebakinho Gaucho’, who gifted Nervión a marvelous display of dribbles and faints that have won over the hearts of Mendilibar and the fans of the club. After the match was over, when being asked if he is the star of the team, ‘Lukebakinho’ showed his modesty: “I am not. Rakitic, Sergio Ramos and Jesús Navas are the stars” said the Belgian, who is well on his way to becoming an idol of the Sevillian fanbase.
The pirate is back aboard:
Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona arrived at Son Moix as leaders of the league with the intention of remaining at the top of the standings. What the Catalan side did not know was that they were going to be raided by Javier Aguirre’s ship, commanded by its captain, Vedat Muriqi. The plan for the ‘robbery’ was clear, Mallorca needed to replicate the system (5-3-2) that Celta used to almost scrape a point from Montjuic.
The raid started immediately, and it could not have gone any better. A mistake by Ter Stegen and Oriol Romeu when starting off a play led to a goal by Muriqi, the first of the islanders. The Kosovar, who had started the season on the wrong foot, has now scored three goals in his last three games. The pirate had returned and Barça was to be the victim of his misdeeds.
After Raphinha tied the game up with an impressive long-distance shot, ‘El Vasco’ Aguirre’s team would strike again. As if it were an attack by Henry Avery’s fleet, a pirate known for executing the greatest robbery ever over the Mughal empire, Mallorca attacked quickly and in a classic manner.
Direct football, an ancient yet admirable art, destabilized Barça. A long ball from Rajkovic, a light header by Muriqi and Abdón Prats’ finish. Three touches was all it took to orchestrate a simple and effective attack that put Mallorca back on the lead. After Fermín’s first ever goal in LaLiga, the match ended in a draw.
A point that tastes like glory in Son Moix thanks to the raid of Muriqi the pirate, who gave a clinic on how to play striker. He drove the ‘blaugrana’ backline crazy, and especially Ronald Araujo, one of the best center-backs in the world. Partially, the plan of the Mexican coach worked to perfection thanks to the ‘pirate’ of Son Moix.
Míchel’s band:
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen or Metálica are some of the best bands in the history of music. These groups used to hoard the top spots in the music charts of their time, but every once in a while, a group that surprised everyone would appear and break through to the top of the lists.
In Spanish football, defined by the oligopoly of Real Madrid and Barça, a new band has burst onto the scene. This new group is Girona, a rock and roll band led by its producer, Míchel, who is currently the man of the hour in the footballing industry. A surprising band that has climbed to first position of LaLiga EASports, the ‘Bildboard Hot 100’ of Spanish football.
This year, they have produced six hits in a row, including their latest single ‘Comeback at la Cerámica’. The band is made up of many musicians who are performing at their highest level. Arnau Martínez, Daley Blind and Miguel Gutiérrez play the electric guitar that ensures the stability of the group, or in other words, make up their defense.
The drums, the instrument that sets the tempo, is taken care of by Aleix García. The Catalan midfielder has just had an unbelievable performance against Villarreal, thus confirms his status as the driving force of Míchel’s group. Ivan Martín and Yangel Herrera on the electric keyboard join him to provide cohesion in the midfield.
The wings are occupied by the two rockstars, Savinho and Tsygankov on the electric bass. Two artists capable of making a crowd go crazy with their dribbles, assists and goals. Girona can also count on Dovbyk, who is in charge of the violin, as a complement for both wings. He plays an instrument that can often go unnoticed but is critical for the end result.
Last but certainly not least, David López is the singer of this group. He is in charge of making Míchel’s ideas come to life on the pitch. He is the leader of a Girona squad that is taking the entire football scene by storm. A band that is at the top against all odds and will have its most complicated ‘concert’ yet this weekend when facing Real Madrid. That will happen in a few days, but for now, Girona are number one in the charts for LaLiga Overtime.
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.
