Getafe, Granada, and Cadiz among top four in La Liga

At home

Before getting to the news, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge, with the deepest of gratitude, the many condolences I have received from friends and subscribers alike. My own Papa lived a long, happy, and productive life and now he rests in peace. Hasta el encuentro, mijo!

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In Spain

On Saturday, taking full advantage of the tired legs and substitute line-ups the big boys endured after the international break, promoted Cadiz defeated hosts Real Madrid 1-0, Granada defeated visiting Sevilla 1-0, and Getafe defeated visiting Barcelona 1-0, as the minnows claimed victories over their ailing betters. Atletico Madrid continued to ride the coattails of their team’s top scorer, Uruguayan, Luis Suarez, to a 2-0 away victory over Celta Vigo.

On Sunday, hosts Eibar drew 0-0 with Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao defeated visiting Levante 2-0, Villareal, playing at home, defeated Valencia 2-1, Alaves lost 0-2 at home to Elche, Huesca hosted Real Valladolid to a 2-2 draw, and Real Sociedad won 3-0 away to Real Betis.

At round’s end, and despite many teams still one or two games behind the round, Real Sociedad led provisionally with 11 points and a +8-goal differential over Villarreal also with 8 points but with a 0-goal differential. Real Madrid, Getafe, Cadiz, and Granada, in order and all with 10 points were separated only by their difference in goals.

In the coastal Cadiz, where today’s temperature reached into the lower seventies, the fans of this 117,000-person town were still celebrating their victory over the reigning La Liga Champions.

The top scorers in La Liga were Villarreal’s Paco Alcacer with four goals, followed by seven players with 3 goals.

Around Europe

Cristiano Ronaldo is still isolating and convalescing at home with Covid-19, Lionel Messi and family are healthy in Barcelona, Neymar is home playing video games, and showing at PSG and on the Brazilian team, that he is a transformed player.