Lots of important happenings at the bottom of La Liga today as one team secured safety for next season while two others slipped closer to finding themselves out of the top flight. Here’s a recap of the action from Saturday in Spain.
La Liga Saturday: Valladolid secure safety for next season, Mallorca in deep trouble
Javi Guerra’s goal early in the second half was all Real Valladolid needed to get a win over Deportivo La Coruña and guarantee they’ll be in the top flight next year. Mallorca are in serious trouble after their loss against Athletic Bilbao.
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso
Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Mallorca
Atheltic moved closer to securing safety for next season at the expense of last placed Mallorca today at the San Mamés. Aritz Aduriz gave Athletic an early lead but missed on a chance to double it in the 26th minute after having his penalty attempt saved . The penalty was setup by a handball by Fontás that earned him his second yellow card of the game and an early trip to the showers.
Despite the man advantage Athletic couldn't put Mallorca away until the 79th minute. Markel Susaeta chased down a ball right against the end line and chipped it back across the box where Fernando Llorente scored on a sensational acrobatic kick. Mallorca's Giovani DOs Santos scored a lovely free kick two minutes later but it was too little too late for the Islanders who now sit five point from safety with only three games left to play.
Real Valladolid 1-0 Deportivo La Coruña
Depor's eight games without a loss streak came to a crashing halt at the hands of Real Valladolid today. While the loss doesn't doom Depor, they are still stuck in the relegation zone, two points behind Zaragoza.
For Valladolid the win guarantees their safety for next season, just 11 months after they earned promotion via the playoffs. The winning goal came in the 29th minute when Patrick Ebert’s corner into the area was back heeled past Daniel Aranzubía by Javi Guerra.
Osasuna earned a massive victory thanks to a late goal from Javi Arribas that allowed the relegation battlers to open up a bit of breathing room between themselves and the drop zone. Osasuna are now in 15th place, four points above Depor in 18th.
Getafe meanwhile could have moved into 7th past Real Betis with a win but now could fall five points behind a possible Europa League spot if Betis win tomorrow.
More in Soccer:
See More:
