Valencia and Deportivo Alavés suffered a splash of cold water this Saturday when they saw themselves with important points in the fight for salvation, with the tie that Sevilla achieved in stoppage time (1-1) and the victory (0-1) which Girona signed, while Espanyol and Leganés did not finish happy either (1-1) and Real Valladolid did, which beat Real Betis (1-0).
The ‘che’ team achieved its third victory in 19 games thanks to Luis Rioja’s goal at the hour mark at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. A hot scenario, which would remind Valencia of their Mestalla, against the board and very lacking faith in their team’s play. The first half did not help, with hardly any chances and some isolated action by Isaac Romero and Saúl Ñíguez.
After the break the script of tension and I want I can’t from both teams continued, but in a serve from Giorgi Mamardashvili and a haircut from Hugo Duro, Rioja stood in the rival area to make it 0-1. Sevilla had a hard time reacting, but Rubén Vargas equalized with a shot against the post. García Pimienta’s team once again looked for danger from outside the area, as did Pedrosa’s equalizer, with the collaboration of Mamardashvili.
Thus, the Carlos Corberán effect did not materialize for a Valencia that remains bottom with 13 points, while Sevilla has 23, in a no-man’s zone and without scaring away the doubts that continue to lurk in Nervión, even more so with the recent elimination in the Copa del King.
In the lower zone, Saturday brought a vital victory for Valladolid, their second victory in three games to try to escape relegation. Diego Cocca’s men left last place for the moment thanks to Kike Pérez’s 1-0 lead in the 58th minute, against a Betis team that, as Manuel Pellegrini later acknowledged, lacked “attitude.”
This was seen from the first minute, when the home team was able to take the lead. The Andalusian team lacked rhythm and intention in their plays and barely bothered a Pucela determined to save himself, especially if he plays for José Zorrilla. Cocca’s men forgave but Betis were far from punishing, with the little punch they have been dragging.
Bakambu, Lo Celso, Abde nor Isco’s details worried a Valladolid team that, despite setbacks in substitutions due to injury, found Lucas Rosa to give Kike Pérez the goal. In the final stretch was when Betis overturned, moving away from the European zone, while Valladolid approached the salvation zone with 15 points.
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With 17, Alavés was better than Girona but suffered defeat with Jhon Solís’ 0-1 in the 91st minute. An error by Moussa Diarra when trying to clear a ball into the area left the ball at will for the goal Catalan in the discount. Eduardo Coudet’s men deserved better luck after overcoming Girona’s strong start to start generating chances.
The locals shook off the rival pressure but did not arrive in danger either, despite the fact that the VAR canceled a penalty. Alavés grew on the wings and accumulated a lot of people up front, also cutting off the poor start of a Girona team that was saved by a clear goal option that Conechny wasted. Míchel’s men were last, with Diarra’s failed clearance, to add three points that consolidate them in seventh place looking at the noble zone.
Meanwhile, in the return of the League in 2025 at the RCDE Stadium, local goalkeeper Joan García was the protagonist, saving Espanyol from defeat against Leganés even though they do not leave the relegation zone (16). It was a good game for the ‘parakeets’, but Manolo González’s team couldn’t beat a ‘Lega’ team by 19 points.
Espanyol’s greatest danger was from set pieces, as in Leandro Cabrera’s 1-0 after two minutes, but the visiting team responded quickly with Cissé’s 1-1 after a good action by Raba who continues to stand out in the ‘ cucumbers’. After the break, Borja Jiménez’s men had three chances, one post and two one-on-one, which Joan García broke down for a unprofitable draw.
