Madrid take a 6 point lead

One football rule that really irks my dad like no other is the last man red card and penalty rule. He always said that a penalty was sufficient why do you need to send the player off as well, especially if it’s the goal keeper. Why should you be punished twice? The rule works both ways, for instance when Jens Lehman was sent off against Barcelona after 18minutes in the final of the 2006 Champions League final it spoilt the game, Arsenal took off Pires (his last game for the club, a real shame) and were down to 10 men. When Luis Suarez stopped Dominic Adiyiah goal-bound header in the dying embers of the World Cup quater-final with his hand he should have been sent off and a goal should have been awarded, Suarez was plainly cheating. On both occasions my old man was enraged, firstly Barcelona had been given a double advantage and Ghana had been cheated.

This unfortunate double whammy occurred in the Madrid derby this evening. Athletico took an early lead with a following team move finished in style by Adrian, just 10minutes later despite having little attacking pressure Real drew level and had a man advantage. It was a fantastic move that resulted in Benzama being brought down by Courtois the young keeper on loan from Chelsea, no doubt it was a penalty but the red card rubbed salt into the wound, Diego was brought off in place of the substitute keeper Sergio Asgenjo. Athelitco’s most creative player watched the match from the bench, Real dominated and ran out comfortable winners 4-1. 

"Honestly this doesn't normally happen"

Real kept their 3 point lead over a Barca, remember Jose has never lost a 3 point lead. Barca went to Getafe in today’s late kick-off. From the very first minute something didn’t seem right with Barca, they lacked energy. The game ran strict parallels with the England Spain game just a few weeks ago, Barca were too narrow, Getafe soaked up the pressure well just like England did, and scored from a set piece just like England did. Barcelona had plenty of time to level and win the game, many myself included thought they would, that’s what Barca do, they win games. However, their away form has been poor this season, they’ve only managed two wins and have conceded 7 compared to six wins and home conceding none. The difference between Barcelona and Spain was that Spain had a plan B in Fernando Llorente, they didn’t use him but they probably would have done in a competitive game. Spain brought on Cuenca and Pedro, two archetypal Barcelona players. With the substitutions Barcelona had barely changed their game plan. It was a similar story in the semi-final of the 2010 Champions League, Barcelona didn’t change their game plan and Inter sat back and held on. 

Barcelona defeated 2010

I believe that Spain will not play their tiki-taka game in the Euro’s, I think either Soldado or Llorente will play as a traditional no.9 and there will be none of this false no.9 nonsense, a more direct approach is needed if they are to win a record breaking third major international championship on the run.

Valencia managed to hold off a late goal against Rayo to cement their place in third thanks to goals from Jonas and Tino Costa. 

Rayo Vallecano Tamudo (85)

1-2   (HT 0-1)

Valencia Oliveira (21) Facundo Costa (57)

Real Madrid Ronaldo (pen 24, pen 82) Di Maria (49) Higuain (65)

4-1 (HT 1-1)

Atletico Madrid Adrian (15)

Getafe Valera (67)

1-0 (HT 0-0)

Barcelona