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LaLiga Review: Barcelona go top plus all the major talking points from Spain

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Round Seven in LaLiga is now complete so let’s look back at all the action from the weekend.

By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert

Barcelona lead LaLiga, 833 days later

Robert Lewandowski’s latest moment of magic was enough to give Barcelona a narrow win away to Mallorca on Saturday. The Polish striker created something out of nothing in Palma as he ran into the area, cut back and curled an inch-perfect effort around a Mallorca defender and into the far corner with his right foot. The Blaugrana were well below their best, but Lewandowski’s strike – and some smart goalkeeping from the revitalised Marc-Andre ter Stegen – saw the Catalans make it 18 matches unbeaten on the road under Xavi in LaLiga. That is a new record and a sign of the progress made since Ronald Koeman’s troubled tenure.

“We weren’t brilliant, but we took three very important points,” Xavi said afterwards. Asked about Lewandowski and Ter Stegen, he replied: “Those two were at a stellar level, but the team competed very well.” And on the 18 games unbeaten away from home, he added: “I’m happy. We’re doing things well. It’s an important record, but I hope it can be translated into titles.”

There is some way to go, but Barça returned to the top of LaLiga for the first time in 833 days after Real Madrid were held at home by Osasuna on Sunday. Xavi’s side have won six out of their seven matches, with 19 goals scored and only one conceded. Their only blemish? A goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano on the opening weekend. It has taken a while, but they are indeed back.

Madrid frustrated by Osasuna

Real Madrid suffered their first setback in LaLiga this season. Los Blancos were held at home to Osasuna on Sunday and lost the lead in LaLiga, dropping behind Barcelona on goal difference with El Clásico on the horizon. Vinicíus Juníor put Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu with a cross which was misjudged by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera and ended up in the back of the net. Kike García levelled for Osasuna with a looping header over Andriy Lunin – in for the injured Thibaut Courtois – early in the second half and Karim Benzema missed a great chance to claim victory for the champions as he blasted a late penalty against the crossbar.

Benzema, back from a spell on the sidelines, also missed two against Osasuna last season and that may have been in his head. The French forward, perhaps understandably, is lacking some sharpness. But he has also been below his brilliant best this season and Madrid will hope he can find form in time for the game against Barcelona on October 16th.

“There are things we can improve,” Ancelotti said. “We were coming off a very good run and now we will look to go on another. This team is never happy when we don’t win. The draw leaves us sad, but we will react quickly.”

Atlético win in Seville

Two former Real Madrid academy players were on target with fine finishes for Atlético as the Rojiblancos beat struggling Sevilla 2-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday. Marcos Llorente and Álvaro Morata scored the goals for Diego Simeone’s side in a morale-boosting win which sees Atleti move up to fifth place in the table, just two points behind Betis – beaten for only the second time this season in a surprise 1-0 loss away to Celta Vigo.

Atlético looked more compact in a 4-1-4-1 formation, which did not include João Félix or Antoine Griezmann from the start. The French forward was once again brought on after the 60th minute as the club limit his minutes in an attempt to avoid an automatic payment of €40 million to Barcelona and saw an effort saved in the closing stages, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak – linked with Tottenham last week – made a fine stop near the end.

But the day belonged to captain Koke, who completed the full 90 minutes in his 554th game for Atletico – more than any other player in the club’s history.

“Today I saw an Atlético like in the old times, when we played together,” he said. “I’m very happy with what I have achieved and all the work, but I don’t want to stop here – I want more victories and titles.”

Athletic up to third

Ernesto Valverde is inspiring a change of fortunes for Athletic Club in his third spell as coach at San Mames. The Basques beat Almería 4-0 on Friday, with both Nico and Iñaki Williams on target again, and they are up to third place in LaLiga.

Athletic have won five and lost only once so far – a late defeat at home to Espanyol – and lie just three points behind Barcelona and Real Madrid after seven rounds of the competition.

“We are in good shape and we are optimistic, but there is a lot of the season left,” Valverde said. “We have 16 points, which is the consequence of our level of play. We hope to maintain that level and keep winning points.”

So far, so good. And on this evidence, a return to the Champions League looks a real possibility for the Bilbao club.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the 2022/23 LaLiga season live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

LaLiga Review: Barcelona go top plus all the major talking points from Spain

Round Seven in LaLiga is now complete so let’s look back at all the action from the weekend.

By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert

Barcelona lead LaLiga, 833 days later

Robert Lewandowski’s latest moment of magic was enough to give Barcelona a narrow win away to Mallorca on Saturday. The Polish striker created something out of nothing in Palma as he ran into the area, cut back and curled an inch-perfect effort around a Mallorca defender and into the far corner with his right foot. The Blaugrana were well below their best, but Lewandowski’s strike – and some smart goalkeeping from the revitalised Marc-Andre ter Stegen – saw the Catalans make it 18 matches unbeaten on the road under Xavi in LaLiga. That is a new record and a sign of the progress made since Ronald Koeman’s troubled tenure.

“We weren’t brilliant, but we took three very important points,” Xavi said afterwards. Asked about Lewandowski and Ter Stegen, he replied: “Those two were at a stellar level, but the team competed very well.” And on the 18 games unbeaten away from home, he added: “I’m happy. We’re doing things well. It’s an important record, but I hope it can be translated into titles.”

There is some way to go, but Barça returned to the top of LaLiga for the first time in 833 days after Real Madrid were held at home by Osasuna on Sunday. Xavi’s side have won six out of their seven matches, with 19 goals scored and only one conceded. Their only blemish? A goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano on the opening weekend. It has taken a while, but they are indeed back.

Madrid frustrated by Osasuna

Real Madrid suffered their first setback in LaLiga this season. Los Blancos were held at home to Osasuna on Sunday and lost the lead in LaLiga, dropping behind Barcelona on goal difference with El Clásico on the horizon. Vinicíus Juníor put Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu with a cross which was misjudged by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera and ended up in the back of the net. Kike García levelled for Osasuna with a looping header over Andriy Lunin – in for the injured Thibaut Courtois – early in the second half and Karim Benzema missed a great chance to claim victory for the champions as he blasted a late penalty against the crossbar.

Benzema, back from a spell on the sidelines, also missed two against Osasuna last season and that may have been in his head. The French forward, perhaps understandably, is lacking some sharpness. But he has also been below his brilliant best this season and Madrid will hope he can find form in time for the game against Barcelona on October 16th.

“There are things we can improve,” Ancelotti said. “We were coming off a very good run and now we will look to go on another. This team is never happy when we don’t win. The draw leaves us sad, but we will react quickly.”

Atlético win in Seville

Two former Real Madrid academy players were on target with fine finishes for Atlético as the Rojiblancos beat struggling Sevilla 2-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday. Marcos Llorente and Álvaro Morata scored the goals for Diego Simeone’s side in a morale-boosting win which sees Atleti move up to fifth place in the table, just two points behind Betis – beaten for only the second time this season in a surprise 1-0 loss away to Celta Vigo.

Atlético looked more compact in a 4-1-4-1 formation, which did not include João Félix or Antoine Griezmann from the start. The French forward was once again brought on after the 60th minute as the club limit his minutes in an attempt to avoid an automatic payment of €40 million to Barcelona and saw an effort saved in the closing stages, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak – linked with Tottenham last week – made a fine stop near the end.

But the day belonged to captain Koke, who completed the full 90 minutes in his 554th game for Atletico – more than any other player in the club’s history.

“Today I saw an Atlético like in the old times, when we played together,” he said. “I’m very happy with what I have achieved and all the work, but I don’t want to stop here – I want more victories and titles.”

Athletic up to third

Ernesto Valverde is inspiring a change of fortunes for Athletic Club in his third spell as coach at San Mames. The Basques beat Almería 4-0 on Friday, with both Nico and Iñaki Williams on target again, and they are up to third place in LaLiga.

Athletic have won five and lost only once so far – a late defeat at home to Espanyol – and lie just three points behind Barcelona and Real Madrid after seven rounds of the competition.

“We are in good shape and we are optimistic, but there is a lot of the season left,” Valverde said. “We have 16 points, which is the consequence of our level of play. We hope to maintain that level and keep winning points.”

So far, so good. And on this evidence, a return to the Champions League looks a real possibility for the Bilbao club.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the 2022/23 LaLiga season live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.