La Liga Saturday Round-up: 07.11.09

Atletico Madrid will have to wait a few more months before they get another chance to break their derby jinx, as Real Madrid left the Vicente Calderon with another three points in the bag. Real came flying out the blocks and as has so often happened in the past, took an early lead with a Kaká belter from outside the box on 4 minutes. Marcelo doubled their lead with a close range drive from an angle after 24 minutes and suddenly Atletico were all over the place, chasing the match with four upfront and two in the middle, and it told as Lass and Xabi Alonso exerted total control. What was surprising is that it took until the 63rd minute for Real's third, when Higuain robbed the dithering Perea of possession and raced into the box to poke past Sergio Asenjo. But the match turned two minutes later when Sergio Ramos was shown red for taking out Agüero when through on goal. Forlán (who had a poor match) finished an excellent Atletico move to give them hope, and suddenly it was game on as Agüero powered pass Pepe to shoot across Casillas and into the net. The atmosphere was electric for the final few frantic minutes, and Casillas made a fantastic stop from Agüero at the death as the home side finished the match with five up top, but Real Madrid held on for a vital win in their two-horse race with Barca.

Barcelona were made to work by a well-oiled Mallorca unit, but their greater potency upfront proved crucial. Pedro put Barca infront after an outrageous back-heel pass from Ibrahimovic in the 11th minute, but Mallorca levelled eight minutes later when Nunes headed in from a corner. Mallorca stood toe to toe with Barca, but the champions killed the match just before half time with another goal from young Pedro (what a season he's having) after 40 minutes, and a close range header from Thierry Henry two minutes later. The second half saw Mallorca show the same determination and will as the first half and they certainly werent overawed in the Camp Nou. The introduction of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, who had all started on the bench, saw Barca lift the pace, and Messi lifted some of the pressure placed on him by the media, when he stroked home a penalty earned by Ibrahimovic in the 86th minutes. There was still time for Mallorca to restore some pride two minutes into injury time with a goal from Keita, but the match had already been won and Barca march on.

In the Heliodoro Stadium, neither Tenerife nor Málaga got the three points they both so desparately needed, as both defenses failed to cover themselves in glory. Román put the islanders infront after 18 minutes with a well-taken goal inside the area, after a fantastic run and cross from the ever-dangerous Omar. Seven minutes later they were two up when Alfaro smashed high into the net following a slide rule pass from Kome. But Málaga refused to cave in, and were back in it after 27 minutes when Portuguese striker Edinho tapped in a rebound from Obinna's shot. Tenerife had their chances to extend their lead, including a rejected stone-wall penalty, but were made to pay for their profligacy when young Javi Lopez curled in a delicious goal with little more than ten minutes left.

Team of the moment Deportivo La Coruña planted themselves in the Champions League positions with a deserved 0-2 victory away to Getafe. Former Valencia striker Mista repaid the faith shown by manager Lotina, by powering in a diving header after 14 minutes. The Galicians didnt make their task easy when Riki was shown red after 25 minutes, but having lost against Real Madrid with a numerical advantage, Getafe seem to prefer to play against eleven. Brazilian Luis Filipe was giving Getafe's Miguel Torres a torrid left down the left flank, and having set up the first goal, Mista returned the favour by squaring across goal for Luis Filipe to tap in for the second on 58 minutes. Getafe would have been horrified when Deportivo were reduced to nine with Sergio's dismissal in the 71st minute, but Coruña failed to take further advantage of Getafes inability to play against less than eleven men!

Getafe 0 - 2 Deportivo
Tenerife 2 - 2 Málaga
Barcelona 4 - 2 Mallorca
Atletico Madrid 2 - 3 Real Madrid