The second round in the top Spanish league continues today (Sunday) with three games and big battles. Athletic Bilbao beat Valencia 0:1. In the following match, Villarreal beat Atletico Madrid 0:2 away and continued their impressive start to the season. The day will be marked by the meeting between Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
Real Sociedad – Barcelona 1:0 (1st half)
After losing the points against Rayo Vallecano in the opening round, Barcelona is heading to the Basque country with some fear of meeting a strong opponent. Barcelona’s record against the team from San Sebastian is rather encouraging: 5 consecutive league wins and 12 consecutive games without a loss in La Liga (15 in all competitions). Frankie de Jong started in place of the suspended Busquets, Fran Torres removed Rafinha from the lineup and the young Alda started as a left back in place of Jordi Alba who was unexpectedly substituted.
Atletico Madrid – Villarreal 2:0
Two teams that impressed in the first round met at the Wanda Metropolitano in a game that promises a lot, and it was Unai Emery’s side who came out on top. Along with the 2:4 over Haydock Split in the Copnerans League playoffs, Villarreal won three out of three games, and looks to be in very good shape relative to the start of the season. Yermi Pino scored the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute.
A confrontation between the players of the two teams in extra time ended with a red card for Nahuel Molina from the host, when several yellow cards were issued to the players involved. Eight minutes into added time, Gerard Moreno sealed the final result. Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo de Paul, Mateusz Konya and Angel Correa came off the bench for Simeone, but were unable to help the Colchoneros avoid defeat in their first home game of the season in La Liga.
Another game:
Athletic Bilbao – Valencia 0:1
For Bilao: Alex Berenger (42).
Monday’s matches in La Liga:
Elche – Almeria
Girona – Getafe