Week One in Review

After only one week of play in La Liga, plenty of story lines have already begun to develop. Real Madrid showed signs of both brilliance and concern while Barcelona demonstrated that they have not lost a step after their impressive triple last season. Atletico Madrid, my pick to finish second in the league, were embarrassed at Malaga, while Getafe came out of the gates hot with a 4-1 victory at Racing Santander. As for my predictions, I will, throughout the season, be comparing my picks to those of two other websites. “Four Four Two,” a British football magazine, and Laligaticketsonline.com are both predicting scores like myself. So throughout the duration of the year, I will keep a tally of who is right and who is wrong via these clever little standings.

Through Week 1:
1. Me 6-4 (1*)
2. Fourfourtwo 5-5
3. Laligaticketsonline.com 5-5 (1*)

*Scores picked perfectly

The other two blogs in question…
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/laligaloca/archive/2009/08/28/the-sun-creamed-weekend-predictions-round-1.aspx
http://www.laligaticketsonline.com/la-liga-picks-of-the-week-week-one/


Player of the Week: Roberto Soldado (Getafe)
The twenty-four year old Spaniard started his 2009-2010 campaign off in fine fashion, scoring a hat trick in an away victory at Racing Santander. Soldado’s goal in the 28th minute put Los Azulones on top for good, while his tallies in the 33rd and 56th only emphasized Getafe’s dominance in the match. Scoring 13 goals last year and 11 the year before, while on loan at Osasuna, Soldado seems on form to improve upon those totals this year.

Game of the Week: Real Madrid 3- Deportivo 2
The game of the week was also the first game of the year as Deportivo came to the Bernabeu to face a newly renovated Real Madrid team. Brilliant play from two of Madrid’s newcomers, Kaka to Benzema, left a rebound on the foot of an old veteran, Raul, who knocked in effortlessly to start the scoring; however, Deportivo was not intimidated by their surroundings, scoring four minutes later from a cross into the area. Possibly demonstrating that Sergio Ramos’ injury may be affecting the defense more than expected. Kaka’s play again, a ball to Raul in the thirty-fifth minute, lead to a penalty, which Cristiano Ronaldo would execute exceptionally to reestablish Madrid’s lead. Moments into the second half however, a lapse in the Madrid defense again would put Deportivo back on terms. It was not until Lassana Diarra’s sixtieth minute goal that Madrid would perminantely regain the lead and hold on for an important home victory. Deportivo had a strong campaign last season and looks to be back on form this season; however, Madrid’s attack seemed to be just too much for the Galician side to handle.

Goal of the Week: Lassana Diarra
The aforementioned Lassana Diarra goal in the sixtieth minute of last weekend’s opener takes the prize as the goal of the week. Not only was it the game winner but also Diarra’s nifty moves and composed finish were quite impressive as well. Check it out for yourself….



Honorable Mention: Mata (Valencia)