Villarreal moves up to 3rd
Source: Agencies |
March 22, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MARCO Ruben's header put Villarreal up to third in La Liga with a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, after Valencia fell to a solitary Ivan Rakitic strike in a pulsating encounter with Sevilla.
Having impressed in qualifying for the Europa League quarterfinals by beating Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday, Villarreal appealed more to its battling qualities to move up to 54 points with nine games left. It took possession of the last automatic Champions League qualification place as Valencia dropped down to fourth on goal difference.
Unai Emery's side has now lost its last two league games since being knocked out of Europe's elite club competition.
Bilbao slipped further off the top four in sixth with 42 points, one behind a fading Espanyol, which fell 2-0 at lowly Malaga.
On Saturday, leader Barcelona moved on to 78 points after beating Getafe 2-1, maintaining its five-point lead over title rival Real Madrid which won 2-1 at derby rival Atletico Madrid.
An industrious Borja Valero created the opening for Ruben to score at Bilbao after 58 minutes, the Argentine striker powering a superb header beyond Gorka Iraizoz.
Villarreal clearly tired as the second half progressed, but for all Bilbao's pressure it could not find a way past visiting goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Valencia and Sevilla played at a frenetic pace at Mestalla with both sides hitting the woodwork twice and it was a surprise a goal did not arrive until the 70th minute.
Croatia midfielder Rakitic pounced on a loose ball to fire Sevilla ahead but it also had to thank goalkeeper Javi Varas for pulling off a string of spectacular saves.
Sevilla, which drew 1-1 with Barcelona last week, is seventh with 42 points but below Bilbao because of an inferior head-to-head record.
At the foot of the table, Jose Rondon scored twice to boost Malaga's bid for La Liga survival in a 2-0 home win over Espanyol.
Free-falling Hercules hit the foot of the standings after a 0-4 thrashing at home to Osasuna.
Having impressed in qualifying for the Europa League quarterfinals by beating Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday, Villarreal appealed more to its battling qualities to move up to 54 points with nine games left. It took possession of the last automatic Champions League qualification place as Valencia dropped down to fourth on goal difference.
Unai Emery's side has now lost its last two league games since being knocked out of Europe's elite club competition.
Bilbao slipped further off the top four in sixth with 42 points, one behind a fading Espanyol, which fell 2-0 at lowly Malaga.
On Saturday, leader Barcelona moved on to 78 points after beating Getafe 2-1, maintaining its five-point lead over title rival Real Madrid which won 2-1 at derby rival Atletico Madrid.
An industrious Borja Valero created the opening for Ruben to score at Bilbao after 58 minutes, the Argentine striker powering a superb header beyond Gorka Iraizoz.
Villarreal clearly tired as the second half progressed, but for all Bilbao's pressure it could not find a way past visiting goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Valencia and Sevilla played at a frenetic pace at Mestalla with both sides hitting the woodwork twice and it was a surprise a goal did not arrive until the 70th minute.
Croatia midfielder Rakitic pounced on a loose ball to fire Sevilla ahead but it also had to thank goalkeeper Javi Varas for pulling off a string of spectacular saves.
Sevilla, which drew 1-1 with Barcelona last week, is seventh with 42 points but below Bilbao because of an inferior head-to-head record.
At the foot of the table, Jose Rondon scored twice to boost Malaga's bid for La Liga survival in a 2-0 home win over Espanyol.
Free-falling Hercules hit the foot of the standings after a 0-4 thrashing at home to Osasuna.
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