What’s been going on in LaLiga this past week? From transfer and injury news to the best of the action on the pitch, here’s a quick roundup.
SEVILLA AND ATLETICO STAY PERFECT
Two matchdays into the 2019/20 LaLiga Santander and just two sides have a 100% record. Sevilla stayed perfect with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Granada on Friday night thanks to a goal from summer signing Joan Jordan to follow up their win away at Espanyol on Matchday 1. A goal from Vitolo handed Atleti a 1-0 win over Leganes on Sunday evening, a week after Simeone’s side overcame Getafe.
GRIEZMANN SCORES FIRST BARCELONA GOALS
The first official goals of Antoine Griezmann‘s Barcelona career came in their 5-2 win over Real Betis on Sunday evening. The Frenchman was key in the comeback win and celebrated by throwing glitter into the night’s sky at the Camp Nou. He also became the first player to score a brace on his home debut for Barcelona since Rivaldo back in 1997.
ANSU FATI BECOMES LALIGA’S FIRST PLAYER BORN IN 2002
Sunday night’s match at the Camp Nou was special for another reason, as Ansu Fati made his Barcelona debut and, at the age of 16 years, nine months and 25 days, became the second youngest player to do so since Vicenç Martinez in 1942. Fati is the first player born in 2002 to ever play in LaLiga Santander and remarkably was born after Joaquin, who was on the Betis bench, had already played for Spain at a World Cup!
REAL MALLORCA SIGN TAKEFUSO KUBO
Takefusa Kubo was one of the breakout stars of Real Madrid‘s pre-season tour, with the 18-year-old Japan international impressing with every twist and turn. He’s now gone out on loan to RCD Mallorca to gain some first-team experience. He is one to watch for future, but definitely also a player that can make a difference right now.
KICKOFF TIMES ANNOUNCED TO SEPTEMBER
Kick-off times have been announced for fixtures up until Matchday 7. The highlight? The hotly awaited Madrid derby blockbuster between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano is scheduled for Saturday 28th September at 9pm (CET).
MARTIN ØDEGAARD’S FIRST LALIGA GOAL
Martin Ødegaard made his first LaLiga appearance back in 2015 when he came on as a substitute in a 7-3 Real Madrid victory over Getafe, at the age of 16. Now, multiple loan spells and over four years later, the Norwegian sensation has scored his first goal in the league in just his third overall appearance, netting the winner in his new side Real Sociedad‘s victory over RCD Mallorca.
MORE THAN 600,000 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
The atmosphere in the stadiums of LaLiga Santander should be extra special this season. Several clubs have set new records for season ticket holders this campaign and the league’s combined total has passed the 600,000 mark.
JAVI ONTIVEROS IS BACK IN THE TOP FLIGHT
Villarreal have signed Javi Ontiveros from Málaga CF, bringing a very talented midfielder back into the top flight of Spanish football. Having made his debut for the Andalusian club at 18 years of age, Ontiveros represented Málaga in the top division of Spanish football between 2015 and 2018 before their relegation two seasons ago. Now back in the top flight, he wasted no time in impressing during his Villarreal debut against Levante on Friday night.
CARLOS SOLER FACES SPELL ON SIDELINES
Bad news for Valencia starlet Carlos Soler. The 22-year-old, tipped by many for a breakout season after winning the U21 European Championship with Spain this summer, suffered a ligament injury in training. The timeline for his return is unclear but the injury is likely to keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks at least.
JUST ONE MORE HURDLE FOR ESPANYOL
Espanyol have won each of their five Europa League qualification fixtures so far in impressive fashion and travel to Ukraine this week to face Zorya Luhansk with a 3-1 first-leg lead. Avoiding an unlikely turnaround, they’ll be in the pot for the group stages next month.
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