The Spanish league programme kicked off on Saturday with away wins for Sevilla, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao, against teams who already look certain to be in the relegation dogfight.
Sevilla cruised to a 4—1 romp away to Levante, Valencia won 3—1 in Malaga, Bilbao beat Hercules 1—0 in Alicante.
The emphatic win away to newly—promoted Levante, with two goals from full—back Abdoulay Konko, provides a happy ending for what has been a bad week for Sevilla.
Last Saturday they were thrashed 4—0 by Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup, and on Tuesday they crashed 4—3 at home to Sporting Braga in the qualifying round for the Champions League.
“We really needed a win tonight,” said coach Antonio Alvarez, “after all the things that have happened this week.” Alavarez added that “I am really proud of my players, for the way they reacted after going a goal down.” Ruben Suarez made it 1—0 for Levante from the penalty spot, after a clear handball by Sevilla’s Luca Cigarini. Konko made it 1—1 just two minutes later by turning in the rebounds after a shot from Jesus Navas had hit the levante post.
Sevilla were given a penalty of their own after 28 minutes when defender Cerra brought down Diego Perotti. Alvaro Negredo calmly converted to make it 2—1.
In the 63rd minute Konko made it 3—1 after being played through by Renato. Two minutes from time Renato completed the rout by heading in a centre from Jose Carlos, with the overworked Levante defence in tatters.
Earlier on Saturday, Valencia had won 3—1 in Malaga with two second—half goals from former Spain winger Joaquin.
Joaquin, 29, has stagnated since joining Valencia from Betis in 2006, but he finally returned to life in Malaga and gave Los Ches the perfect start to their season.
Valencia coach Unai Emery said that “right from the start we went out there with a winning mentality. In general, we were superior, though Malaga did have their chances.” Valencia, who are heavily in debt, sold off star strikers David Villa and David Silva in summer, and would have sold off Joaquin too had they received any offers for him.
They went ahead in Malaga after just 10 minutes, when newcomer Aritz Aduriz headed in a clever corner from Ever Banega. Sebas Fernandez made it 1—1 just before half—time, by flicking in a free—kick from Eliseu.
Valencia retook control in the second half, with Banega and old warhorse David Albelda bossing the midfield.
With 20 minutes remaining, Joaquin took centre stage. He made it 2—1 for the visitors with a shot which took a wicked deflection off Malaga defender Ivan Gonzalez. Four minutes later the excellent Aduriz set up Joaquin to score his second goal with a fierce drive.
Saturday’s first game saw Athletic Bilbao triumph 1—0 away to promoted Hercules in Alicante.
The only goal of a tight match was headed in by Spain’s World Cup reserve Fernando Llorente.
The tall striker struck two minutes into the second half, turning in a long free—kick from Carlos Gurpegui with a glancing header.
“It was important for us to begin with a win,” said Llorente. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game here, but we were well—ordered and solid all over the field.” Hercules came close to an equalizer on four occasions, but lacked a cool finish. They were crippled by the sending—off of in stoppage time of Argentine midfielder Matias Fritzler, for a second deliberate handball.
Hercules are in the top flight for the first time since 1997 and will clearly struggle to avoid a quick return to the second division.
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