The previous weekend in La Liga was headlined by El Clasico, as Real Madrid maintained their six-point lead at the top of the standings with a 1-1 draw at Barcelona.
However, there were plenty of other spectacular performances as well.
Granada earned their first victory of the season, and Deportivo de La Coruna’s attack exploded for five goals against Real Sociedad.
We highlight the crucial moments from Matchweek 14 in La Liga ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
Midfield play for Granda CF
One of the matches that seemed predictable heading into the weekend turned into a stunning defeat for the favourites, as last-place Granada secured a 2-1 home victory over Sevilla. The result moves El Grana from the bottom of the table up one spot to 19th.
The three points were earned thanks to a fantastic and tenacious display from the Granada midfield. Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez, Jeremie Boga and Andreas Pereira were effective at winning possession and moving the ball forward into the attack.
Currently, on loan from Manchester United, Pereira’s first goal of the campaign will hopefully be the start of more to come from the young Brazilian.
Sevilla missed a great opportunity to move into second place with a disappointing result.
Sergio Ramos strikes again
The season’s first El Clasico seemed all wrapped up for the home side. A first-half goal from Luis Suarez gave Barcelona a slim 1-0 advantage heading into the final moments against Real Madrid.
But a Luka Modric free-kick was headed home by Sergio Ramos to equalise in the 90th minute.
The Spanish defender has an incredible ability to find goals in the closing stages of matches and his strike on Saturday came at the perfect time for Los Blancos.
Barcelona sit second in the table, six points behind Real Madrid.
Espanyol defence frustrates Atletico
Atletico Madrid and manager Diego Simeone hosted RCD Espanyol on Saturday evening and came away with points split in a 0-0 draw. The result has Los Rojiblancos in fourth, nine points from catching city rivals, Real Madrid.
Goalkeeper Diego Lopez and the Espanyol backline were in scintillating form and were able to keep the mighty Atletico attack from finding the back of the net.
Full-backs Aaron Martin and Victor Sanchez were particularly impressive and worked hard to find an important away point for their side. Espanyol now sits in 12th place, with 19 points from 14 matches.
Athletic Bilbao keep pace with the top of the standings
After a loss at Las Palmas last weekend, Athletic Bilbao and manager Ernesto Valverde bounced back nicely with a 3-1 victory over SD Eibar at Estadio San Mames. The three points have Los Leones tied for fifth in the standings along with Real Sociedad and Villarreal.
An outstanding team performance saw Bilbao dominate the proceedings throughout. Midfielders Benat Etxebarria and Iker Muniain controlled the middle of the pitch and centre-forward Inaki Williams kept constant pressure on the opposing side.
Etxebarria, Muniain and Williams scored each of Athletic’s three goals in the match.
Bilbao now prepare to continue this run of form when they travel to Real Betis on Sunday.
Depor score in bunches
Deportivo de La Coruna had their best scoring output of the La Liga season on Monday with a 5-1 home victory over Real Sociedad. The club’s third win of the campaign provides some breathing room from the relegation zone, now sitting in 16th place.
Three goals early on gave the home side a comfortable half-time lead. Sociedad clawed one back in the 57th minute, but Depor were not to be denied.
A strike from Ryan Babel (64’) and a second goal from Florin Andone (42’, 77’) finished off an incredible match for manager Gaizka Garitano and his club.
Real Sociedad look to reverse their fortunes when they host Valencia on Saturday afternoon.
