Valencia rides on Soldado's double
Source: Agencies |
December 20, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
VALENCIA tightened its grip on third place in La Liga when Roberto Soldado struck twice in a 2-0 home win over Malaga as another Atletico Madrid defeat heaped pressure on coach Gregorio Manzano on Sunday.
A day after Real Madrid moved three points clear of Barcelona at the top after 16 games, Soldado's 10th and 11th goals of the campaign put Valencia four behind Barcelona and four ahead of fourth-placed Levante, which lost 1-2 at Granada.
Soldado, a former Real Madrid striker, has been making a strong case for a recall to the Spain squad for next year's European Championship and both goals were fine examples of the striker's art.
Jonas played the ball into space in the 36th minute at Valencia's Mestalla stadium and Soldado rounded Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero before powering the ball into the net. His second came after neat work on the left wing from Jordi Alba and he volleyed spectacularly home at the far post to double the home side's lead with around half an hour left.
Message
Soldado sent a message of support after the game to former Valencia striker David Villa, who broke his leg playing for Barca at the Club World Cup on Thursday.
If Spain's all-time top scorer is not fit for Euro 2012, coach Vicente Del Bosque may turn to Soldado to fill the gap and the Valencia fans were chanting 'Soldado for the national team!' on Sunday.
"It's nice that the fans sing that and it makes me happy as it means I am scoring and the team is playing well," Soldado told Spanish television.
Ambitious Qatar-owned Malaga dropped to seventh, level on 24 points with Sevilla, but behind the Andalusians on goal difference.
Surprise package Osasuna, which has won four of its last five matches, climbed to fifth on 25 points thanks to Sunday's 2-1 win against Villarreal in Pamplona.
Atletico's impatient fans have been voicing their frustration with Manzano and 0-2 reverse at home to Real Betis left Madrid's second club in 10th and its coach, known as 'the professor', in serious peril.
A day after Real Madrid moved three points clear of Barcelona at the top after 16 games, Soldado's 10th and 11th goals of the campaign put Valencia four behind Barcelona and four ahead of fourth-placed Levante, which lost 1-2 at Granada.
Soldado, a former Real Madrid striker, has been making a strong case for a recall to the Spain squad for next year's European Championship and both goals were fine examples of the striker's art.
Jonas played the ball into space in the 36th minute at Valencia's Mestalla stadium and Soldado rounded Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero before powering the ball into the net. His second came after neat work on the left wing from Jordi Alba and he volleyed spectacularly home at the far post to double the home side's lead with around half an hour left.
Message
Soldado sent a message of support after the game to former Valencia striker David Villa, who broke his leg playing for Barca at the Club World Cup on Thursday.
If Spain's all-time top scorer is not fit for Euro 2012, coach Vicente Del Bosque may turn to Soldado to fill the gap and the Valencia fans were chanting 'Soldado for the national team!' on Sunday.
"It's nice that the fans sing that and it makes me happy as it means I am scoring and the team is playing well," Soldado told Spanish television.
Ambitious Qatar-owned Malaga dropped to seventh, level on 24 points with Sevilla, but behind the Andalusians on goal difference.
Surprise package Osasuna, which has won four of its last five matches, climbed to fifth on 25 points thanks to Sunday's 2-1 win against Villarreal in Pamplona.
Atletico's impatient fans have been voicing their frustration with Manzano and 0-2 reverse at home to Real Betis left Madrid's second club in 10th and its coach, known as 'the professor', in serious peril.
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