Well, it didn't take la Liga long to make me look like a fool. The day after I jokingly predicted that Barcelona and Madrid would win their games by a combined score of infinity to one, both teams played very poor soccer and either dropped points or could easily have dropped points.
Halftime, Valencia 0-0 Atlético: Piatti’s Legal Goal Called Back Despite Protests
But man, I don't feel nearly as stupid as Valencia-Atlético Madrid match official Gozález González (is this seriously his name?) should: in the 14th minute, Valencia broke down Atlético's right flank, and crossed the ball into the center, where Roberto Soldado dropped the ball to Piatti, who slotted his one-on-one past Atlético keeper Courtois. The goal was quite pretty, and quite legal. But González González (with the help of his sideline official, who I can only assume is named something like Rodríguez Rodriíguez), called back the goal for offsides.
Replays clearly show this to be incorrect, and Valencia fans at the Mestalla are certainly still fuming. Atlético, meanwhile, has looked to be the better of the two teams since the goal-that-wasn’t. They’ve pressured a weak and surprised-looking Valencia defensive front, and almost scored one of their own, off the boot of center midfielder Thiago.
Radamel Falcao made his debut, and has looked very dangerous on the attack--he hasn’t had a ton of service, but he has been lurking on every play that Atleti has had in Valencia’s half. He reminds me a bit of Ruud van Nistelrooy: you don’t see him all the time, but when you do you’d better watch out. (And yes, he has been running away from a pants-less Éver Banega for the entire match--you heard me!)
We’ll be back with the full time wrap soon.
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