Analysis: Four things we learned in Spain's Matchday 5

Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-20 21:04:35|Editor: huaxia

MADRID, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid opened up a two-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday after another weekend of close games. Here are some things we learned in Spain's matchday five.

1. Benzema and Vinicius making the difference

Real Madrid won the clash between the top two sides in LaLiga 2-1 away to Valencia thanks to goals from Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema in the 86th and 88th minute of the match and although there was a touch of fortune in both goals, with Vinicius' shot taking a wicked deflection and Benzema netting with his shoulder, nobody can deny they were the two best players on the pitch.

Valencia were unlucky to lose Spain internationals Jose Luis Gaya and Carlos Soler through injury, but they controlled much of the game in the Mestalla Stadium until Real Madrid's forwards turned things around. Not for the first time this campaign, Carlo Ancelotti can put the win down to moments of individual magic from his most in-form players.

2. Atletico lacking goals

Atletico Madrid missed their chance to go top of the table when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday.

For the second time in four days Atletico's forwards were unable to hit the target and on Saturday their only chance of note was an effort from Marcos Llorente which hit the post.

Antoine Griezmann has yet to settle on his return from FC Barcelona, and while Angel Correa looks sharp and dangerous, the same can't be said for Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan usually takes a while to hit peak form and at the moment, he looks, heavy, slow on his feet and low on energy: exactly the opposite of what you want from a striker.

3. Marcelino deserves credit at Athletic

Although Atletico's forwards came in for criticism after Saturday's draw, Athletic Club Bilbao deserve a lot of credit for an excellent performance in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium as the side coached by Marcelino Garcia Toral kept their fourth clean sheet in five games.

Having a full pre-season to work with his players has allowed the team to adapt to Marcelino's tactics and he has built a side that defends as a unit, while looking to attack at pace.

Central defenders Inigo Martinez and Dani Vivian (in his first season in the elite) are arguably the best defensive pairing in LaLiga at the moment and had either Inaki Williams or Asier Villalibre taken the excellent chances they had at the other end, Athletic would have taken all three points.

4. Looking grim for Michel at Getafe

There is a saying that second parts are never as good and that looks to be the case for Michel Gonzalez at Getafe with the coach kicking off his second period at the club with five consecutive defeats. That is Getafe's worst ever start to the season and it coincides with Michel's attempts to play more attacking football while abandoning the pragmatic style used to effectively by Pepe Bordalas in previous seasons.

Getafe showed an alarming lack of personality and defensive rigor as they lost 3-0 to newly promoted Rayo Vallecano and with Atletico Madrid next up nobody is betting on Getafe's fortunes improving soon. Enditem

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