With Johnny Cardoso out injured, Alex Freeman, who only played a handful of minutes, was the only Yank to play in La Liga this weekend, as well as Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad with a very special game against Basque rivals Athletic Club.
Athletic Club 2-1 Real Sociedad
The Basque derby is one of the most important games in Spanish soccer. Unlike other regional derbies, this northern matchup is known for its friendly and ecstatic atmosphere. It was the fourth time Matarazzo would face Athletic Club as Real Sociedad’s head coach, and he hadn’t lost yet, as he registered two wins and one draw.
The game started with a very early substitution for Athletic Club, as Maroan Sannadi got injured and had to be replaced, Robert Navarro came on for the Moroccan-Spanish striker.
In the 14th minute of the game, Iñaki Williams opened the score for Edin Terzic’s men, but Croatian midfielder Luka Sucic equalized for Matarazzo’s side just 15 minute later.
Right before halftime, Jon Aramburu tripped Nico Williams and comitted a penalty. Alex Berenguer wouldn’t miss and sealed the victory for Athletic Club in the Basque derby.
Matarazzo‘s Real Sociedad remain 5th with 19 points and will face Rayo Vallecano at home next weekend, right after their Europa League game against Tanner Tessmann’s Olympique Lyonnais.
Villarreal CF 0-1 RCD Espanyol
Alex Freeman was subbed on in the 80th minute in Villarreal’s 0-1 defeat at home against RCD Espanyol. He didn’t have time to do much, but he still managed to win three of his duels, completed three progressive carries, and completed 83 % of his passing.
Leandro Cabrera scored the only goal of the match in the 60th minute for RCD Espanyol.
Villarreal, who drop to the 8th position with 12 points, will host Getafe next weekend after they host PSG in a very tough Champions League game.
Notes
In Segunda Federación, Xanti Oyharçabal played 52 minutes in CD Basconia’s goalless draw against SD Compostela.
Cameron Williams played 81 minutes in what was also a 0-0 score between CP Mijas Las Lagunas and Marbella FC.
Axel Pérez played 80 minutes in CD Castellón B’s 1-5 thrashing over Ilicitano.
Down in Tercera Federación, Keller Storlie went the distance for Palencia CF in the Palencian derby against Cristo Atlético Palencia. However, Storlie’s team lost 1-0.
Roberto Albuquerque played the whole game for Caudal Deportivo in their 1-0 win against UP Langreo away.
