Spanish La Liga Sunday: Valencia Complete Comeback, Defeat Athletic Bilbao

It was a tough day at San Mames for Valencia, but despite being second best for good chunks of the game and falling behind to Athletic Bilbao early, Los Che engineered a great comeback victory to take all three points and solidify their third place standing in La Liga. They now hold an 11 point gap on the fifth place team and a Champions League place is now all but assured for them. For Athletic Bilbao, they are still in very good position to secure a Europa League place, but this loss may have ended all hopes at Champions League qualification for Los Leones.

Fernando Llorente scored the opener for Athletic Bilbao, assisted by Gaizka Toquero, who was probably the man of the match despite his team’s collapse. Toquero laid a low ball across the box to Llorente, who did well to hold off two defenders and muscle the ball into the back of the net from very close range. After 14 minutes, Bilbao had a lead.

It’s been a difficult afternoon at San Mames for Valencia, but they have completed a comeback in the second half, coming from 1-0 down to go 2-1 up with two goals in under ten minutes. The first goal was scored by Juan Mata, tapping in a Joaquin cross in the 72nd minute, and the current winner, if it stands, came from two substitutes. Tino Costa ripped the first shot, but his effort was not secured by Gorka Iraizoz and the rebound was tapped in by Jonas, securing an 81st minute go-ahead goal for Los Che.

Tino Costa’s initial shot on goal was a solid one, but poor defending and goalkeeping are to blame for Bilbao’s concession of the goal. Iraizoz should have done much more to secure the shot, while Jonas should not have been allowed to run free into the center of the box for an uncontested tap-in. It’s an unfortunate state of events for Bilbao, who would have won with this performance on most days. However, a couple of bad breaks and mental lapses appear to be sending them to a loss when they certainly deserved at least a draw.

It took until the 72nd minute, but Valencia have finally capitalized on all of their possession, finding a well deserved goal with a Juan Mata tap-in of a cross from Joaquin. Athletic Bilbao and Valencia have had about an equal amount of chances tonight at San Mames, but Valencia have probably been the better all-around side and their lack of clear chances on goal has been somewhat surprising. Ever Banega has not had his usual playmaking influence in the center of the park, most of the reason why their possession has been largely waseful.

Though Mata was the man who applied the finish, most of the credit for the goal should go to Joaquin, who did very well to make himself space on the right flank before delivering a low ball across the face of goal. Mata didn’t have a ton of work left to do, but still did well to beat his defender and get on the end of the ball to direct it into the back of the net.

It was all Real Madrid during those final 15 minutes but a mixture of saves from Aranzubia, the post and some dreadful finishing from Karim Benzema meant that Madrid dropped two points in the Riazor and with Barcelona now seven points clear of ‘Los Merengues’ , Guardiolas side already have one hand one the Liga trophy. If Real Madrid needed to win practically all their remaining matches before to stand a chance, they now can’t afford anything less than a 100% record from now till the end of the season.

As vibrant as Real Madrid were in those frantic final few minutes, they just didnt create enough in the first 75 minutes. Kaka and Benzema proved that they just don’t fit in this Real Madrid side, while Adebayor and Di Maria were introduced far too late. Both made telling contributions and you just wonder what might have been for Madrid had the two started the match.

This is beginning to get desparate for Real Madrid! Jose Mourinho has already sent on Emmanuel Adebayor and Angel Di Maria and the two substitutes have rejuvenated Madrid. Surprisingly Karim Benzema has stayed on the pitch, but even with Adebayor by his side, the French striker is nowhere to be seen.

And as Real Madrid press and press the goal is looking ever more likely as we enter the final stages of the match. Emmanuel Adebyor has struck the post with a first-time shot from Ozils magnificent pass. Cristiano has also hit the woodwork with a sublime strike from outside the area, while Aranzubia has saved his side with a stunning fingertip save from a Angel Di Maria piledriver.

I know he scored an invaluable goal midweek against Lyon, but what is Karim Benzema still doing on the pitch? He looks lazy, has an awful first touch, can’t dribble and most certainly is not a targetman. Real Madrid need Emmanuel Adebayor on as soon as possible to ruffle a few feathers in a Depor defence that is coping far too easily at the moment.

Same old story though, with Real Madrid enjoying the lions share of possession, but still they are struggling to carve out any real opportunities. Kaka has been a little more involved since the break but what’s clear is that he is surplus to requirements at the moment, with Madrid lacking the pace and skill that Angel Di Maria offers.

The match is still being played out at break-neck speed but it’s fair to say Real Madrid have grabbed control of the match and are beginning to push Depor further and further into their own half. And they were inches away from taking the lead when Cristiano Ronaldo was caught a few inches offside from Ozils cross. The flicked finish was delightful but even the Portuguese wonder didnt complain when it was rightly ruled out.

With Depor offering very little in attack, both Sergio Ramos and Marcelo are able to support Ozil and Cristiano on the flanks, often creating two against one situations out wide that will be vital to Real Madrids hopes of escaping from the Riazor with three points. Kaka is yet to work his way into the match while Karim Benzema appears to having one of his more frustrating matches in a Real Madrid shirt.

After scoring the crucial away goal in his spriritual home, Karim Benzema has been given the nod in attack, Emmanuel Adebayor dropping to the bench. With Sami Khedira missing through injury, Lass Diarra continues in midfield alongside Xabi Alonso, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Ozil and Kaka support Benzema upfront. For Depor, Adrian drops back into a inside right position, with Jose Sand leading the line. Guardado had promised that Depor would get in the faces of Real Madrids stars, even promising to show the new band of Galacticos ‘no respect whatsoever’ once on the field. Seems like they’re staying true to their word, with Cristiano already on the end of an industrial challenge from Lopo.

So far it’s been a frenetic opening to the match, with neither side managing to wrest control. Both teams are looking to attack whenever possible and with the Riazor sensing yet another upset over Real Madrid it promises to be an pulsating match.

It was coming! After a scrappy start to the match, Barcelona have slowly but surely worked their into the match. Iniesta and Messi, at the heart of every Barca attack almost worked the opening goal with a sensational one-two on the edge of the box but with just Aouate to beat, Messi inexplicably fired over. Adriano then flashed a cross past an open goal before Messi finally nodded Barcelona ahead.

Seydou Keita was the architect, with a lovely scooped pass that took out the whole Mallorca defence. Getting himself between the ball and the defender, Messi let the ball bounce before heading the ball over Aouate and into the net. A lead that on the balance of play they just about deserve. Sergio Busquets is playing a blinder in midfield and seems to be absolutely everywhere, mopping up at the back and playing his part in attack. The young Spain star is vital to Barcas cause tonight.

With Barcelona understandably looking a little disjointed it’s Mallorca who have come closest to taking the lead through a point-blank Webo header that flew just over Pintos goal with the keeper beaten. Both teams are looking dangerous on the break, with Mallorca having wasted a couple of attacks when they outnumbered Barca defenders. De Guzman is seeing a lot of the ball in midfield, with Webo an everpresent threat at the head of Michael Laudrups 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to nullify the threat of Iniesta and Messi, with Joao Victor and Marti sticking close to the two Barca stars.

As long as Barcelona can get Andres Iniesta on the ball they won’t be lacking in creativity, but you can tell they are missing Xavi pulling the strings with even Leo Messi dropping deep into his own half to get the ball. Messi has had a couple of winding runs that have come to nothing and you have to say the little genius isn’t quite looking himself right now. Not the greatest of moments for Messi to lose a bit of form.

Today, Barcelona has another potentially close match, though they should be able to handle their trip to Mallorca, particularly with Michael Laudrup’s side have picked up only four points in their last six matches. But with Mallorca holding a 7-2-3 home record this season, a draw for Barça is not out of the question. If that happens, Real Madrid will be in a position to close the gap to one match’s worth of points, Los Merengues at Deportivo La Coruña.

The Barcelona match kicks-off at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, with Real Madrid to follow. SB Nation Soccer’s Steve Abrams will be providing live coverage throughout both matches, fixtures which close a day that also includes Sevilla’s visit to Atlético Madrid.