Spanish League Weekend Review

Celta Vigo climbed to the top of Spain's La Liga on Sunday with a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Recreativo Huevla. The 'other' Galician team is undefeated in 3 matches after downing Sevilla and Mallorca in the previous two weekends. The 'Czar' as Russian midfielder Alexander Mostovoi is lovingly called delivered a long punishing drive from 35 meters just before the break and then sentenced the match in the 71st minute with another. Celta were more opportunistic than impressive though, Mostovoi scored his first exactly when Recreativo were dominating play and Celta Goalkeeper Caballero managed to block Oscar Arpon's 61st minute penalty, which would have levelled things. Undefeated, top of the league, for now though, Celta certainly looks like they'll drift back into UEFA cup territory pretty soon. Mallorca, Sevilla and Recreativo are not exactly the toughest fixtures on the schedule.

Deportivo Not Struggling: In fact their doing quite well, after a thorough domination of Bayern Munich midweek and becoming the first Spanish team to win an away fixture at the Olympic Stadium, Deportivo continued their form with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Valladolid at the Riazor. Only-striker-hotter-than-Luis Enrique at the moment, Roy Makaay netted both goals in the first half. They now have their sites set on AC Milan for Tuesday's Champion's league clash in the so called "Group of Death"(can't anyone come up with a better scary group name?). Oh yeah, Rivaldo should be back at the Riazor, where he began his career in Spain before ditching Depor for Barcelona.

No Phenomenon, but si Triunfo: The Madridism, as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez crassly refers to Real Madrid supporters had to watch another fixture pass by without Ronaldo's debut in the white strip of Real Madrid. It was probably better that way though, as the setting was rather discreet for such an enormous event. Zidane and Makelele both missed the match with injuries and the rival was Osasuna, not exactly the sexiest occasion for Perez to unveil his latest "crack" as the Spanish like to call a star. It looks like we'll all have to wait until Wednesday in the Bernabeu against Genk or next weekend's away fixture at Valladolid. I'd put my money on the Genk match. By the way, R. Madrid beat Osasuna 4-1, Helguera twice, Raul and Guti did the damage while Osasuna could only watch and did several times when they had chances to score.

Barca Striker Debate Settled: The doubt has been lifted over whether or not Barca should have signed an extra number 9 before the close of the transfer window, or will need to do so come December when the window once again slides open. For now, Joan Gaspart and Louis Van Gaal can rest easy. Patrick Kluivert finally openend his scoring account on Saturday with a diving header in the Catalan derby at Camp Nou. Then it was Luis Enrique who rose to superbly finish off Fernando Navarro's cross (and Espanyol) from the left, between two defenders, his 4th goal in as many games. Let's see if their taste for blood holds up in Istanbul on Tuesday where they face Galatasaray in the Champion's League, the competition that historically hasn't been kind to the same Van Gaal.

Good Football Deservedly Returns to Donostia: Real Sociedad and Betis played to an entertaining 3-3 draw last night in San Sebastian. Betis, who defeated Deportivo in week one away and looked to be well on their way to taking down Real Madrid before the lights went out in Seville last week were out to confirm that they are actual title contenders. Capi put Betis ahead in the 14th minute and then doubled Betis' lead 10 minutes later. Rivas' own goal from Darko Kovacevic's shot gave Real Sociedad some hope before the break though. The second half featured open, attacking football with both sides pushing forward. Darko Kovacevic earned an equalizer when he headed home Aranburu's delicate cross beyond the reach of a diving Toni Prats. The euphoria was short lived though, Alfonso then put Betis ahead three minutes later with a low bouncer that Sociedad keeper Sander Westerveld inexplicably missed. Betis' dangerous wingers Denilson and Joaquin were substituted far too early with ½ hour still to go. Real Sociedad took advantage of Betis's subsequent lack of width and Kovacevic finally made them pay once again with a 78th minute header to tie the match. Real Sociedad nearly took all 3 points when Llorente's last minute header was miraculously pushed into the cross bar by Betis keeper Toni Prats. Deservedly each team walked away with a point in a highly competitive match between two resurrected teams.