Match Analysis: Atletico Madrid 4-3 Rayo Vallecano

El partido llegó a la media hora con una propuesta del Rayo. (Foto: EFE

Atletico Madrid continued their fine start to the season with a 4-3 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday – but it was far from comfortable. 

Mario Suarez opened the scoring for the home side after 29 minutes, but the victory was effectively wrapped up in seven second-half minutes. 

Koke added Atletico's second with a cool finish after 49 minutes, while Arda Turan scored an almost identical goal moments later. 

Radamel Falcao added gloss to the scoreline from the penalty spot after 56 minutes, but a late double from Andrija Delibasic and a stike from Leo cut the deficit to 4-3 in the final stages. 

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two sides. 

Match statistics: 

Atletico Madrid: 
Shots 11 
On target 6 
Possession 39% 
Corners 9 
Fouls 16 

Rayo Vallecano: 
Shots 11 
On target 5 
Possession 61% 
Corners 5 
Fouls 14 

Was the result fair? 

On the balance of play, you would have to say yes. Atletico Madrid dominated the opening half and rightly entered the break ahead. They played some wonderful football in the early stages of the second period – scoring three goals – but their defence was shaky in the final minutes. On paper, it looked a close match, but it would have been harsh if Atletico didn't secure all three points. 

Atletico Madrid's performance 

6/10. Atletico showed the best and worst of themselves this evening. At times, their attacking play was simply sensational as they raced into a 4-0 lead. However, the victory has been somewhat tainted by an incredibly poor defensive lapse in the final 10 minutes. They look like a side who could achieve big things this season, but they must improve as a unit. 

Rayo Vallecano's performance 

5/10. It was a really strange performance from Rayo. They entered the match in a fine run of form, but didn't really offer any attacking intent in the first half. They dominated possession, but simply did not create, and were lucky to register three freak goals in the latter stages. 

Sports Mole's man of the match 

Gabi: The Atletico midfielder was really impressive this evening. He did a lot of the ground work – especially in the first half – as his side continued to create the better openings. 

Biggest gaffe of the match 

Atletico's defensive lapse in the final moments. In the end, the home side got away with it, but the way they collapsed under pressure was really worrying. 

Referee performance 

Muniz Fernandez had a bit of a 'picky' game this evening. The Spaniard was guilty of stopping the game all too often in the first half, while he awarded Atletico a soft penalty in the second period. 

What next? 

Atletico Madrid: Atletico begin their defence of the Europa League title against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, before facing Real Valladolid on Sunday. 

Rayo Vallecano: Rayo have the small matter of a home clash with Real Madrid to prepare for next Sunday.

article source:  http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/atletico-madrid/match-analysis/match-analysis-atletico-madrid-4-3-rayo-vallecano_45600.html

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Cristiano Ronaldo Transfer Rumour Round-Up: Mourinho Rules Out Exit, Real Madrid To Issue Official Statement

Cristiano Ronaldo's statements that he felt unhappy at Real Madrid fuelled speculations that he might leave the company of the Spanish champions. Manager Jose Mourinho moved to deny those rumours and went on to deny transfer links with Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Anzhi Makhachkala.

The remarks made by Ronaldo following a 3-0 beating of Granada in La Liga came as a result of two main premises – the absence of a contract extension deal from Real Madrid and inadequate support for his bid to be named this year's Ballon d'Or replacement over Barcelona's Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

Mourinho downplayed rumours that Ronaldo is currently tending to offers from any of the three wealthy clubs – City, PSG and Anzhi. He said that the striker will only play for a club that has a prestigious history. While City seems to have no offer for Ronaldo, PSG and Anzhi have not spoken yet on the possibility that they might sign the £80 million striker.

While it cannot be denied that Real Madrid will face problems from Spanish taxation reforms brought about by the abolition of the “Beckham law”, Mourinho affirmed that Ronaldo's taste is reserved for clubs with a celebrated history in playign against tough oponnent sides and winning trophies. Aside from Madrid, he cited Barcelona and Bayern Munich as clubs that are fitting for the striker.

Real Madrid will issue an official statement regarding Ronaldo's issue – a move which will put a stop to all the allegations concerning the striker. In light of that, the club promises to keep him past his 2015 contract expiry and support his interest in winning the Ballon d'Or.

Aside from the two main reasons cited for Ronaldo's unhappiness, rumours that he is not well-supported by Madrid fans are widespread. That is in contrast to how some of his Manchester United fans continue to chant his name on present matches.

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Photo credits:

Cristiano Ronaldo [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 11 September 2012, from < http://www.donateli.us/cristiano-ronaldo.html/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid >

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Cristiano Ronaldo “Unhappy” At Real Madrid

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo spoke of his discontent for the club, following his odd behaviour during his side’s last La Liga match.

Granada was playign against tough oponnent Real Madrid last Monday. Ronaldo scored two goals, but did not present his usual acts of goal celebration for the club. He explained that he did not celebrate for his goals due to his disappointment over “professional” matters.

As Ronaldo remarked that Real Madrid understands the reason for his displeasure, his agent Jorge Mendes noted that he fully knows the issues his striker is having now. He continued to emphasize that the striker has the liberty to disclose the full details openly.

There are reports tagging Ronaldo that he allegedly wants to have an improved contract with the La Liga champions. The club’s main problem in meeting that request lies on the Spanish government’s adjustment measures on taxation.

The abolition of the “Beckham Law”, a regulation introduced in 2005 that allows foreign workers with high income to have lower taxes, gave Real Madrid a great burden to fulfil Ronaldo’s exorbitant wages – marked at around €12 million a year. Now, the striker can expect a 40% tax cut on a new deal, a move that might force Los Blancos to break the bank.

Rumours that high-spending clubs might pursue Ronaldo have been prevalent following his announcement. Viable candidates include wealthy sides Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Anzhi Makhachkala, and Paris-Saint Germain, but they have to match the striker’s very expensive release clause – reported to be within the €1 billion region.

Ronaldo’s thunderous pace, sharp eye for the goal and enormous €94 million transfer price from Manchester United make him an extremely popular figure in the football world, but his in-game antics make him a highly controversial figure. During his days with the Red Devils, he once threw his tracksuit in response to his substitution in a Manchester City match. Ex-Germany keeper Oliver Kahn dubbed him a “true diva” after the Germans’ 1-0 victory over Portugal in EURO 2012.

Midfielder Kaka offered a different view on Ronaldo, saying that the whole team is behind him and wishes him to be happy. There are speculations that the striker is having unsavoury relations with his teammates, especially with Marcelo when he remarked that keeper Iker Casillas is more fitting to become the world footballer of the year.

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Photo credits:

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Granada [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 4 September 2012, from <http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/SN-hoi1QK-1/Real+Madrid+CF+v+Granada+CF+La+Liga/wEbf3965GB_/Cristiano+Ronaldo >

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Liga España Matches and Team Standing

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Liga España

08/26	Osasuna	1	-	2	Barcelona
08/26	Granada	1	-	1	Sevilla
08/26	Getafe	2	-	1	Real Madrid
08/26	Valencia	3	-	3	Deportivo
08/27	Valladolid	2	-	0	Levante
08/27	Atlético Madrid	4	-	0	Athletic Bilbao
09/01	Celta Vigo	2	-	0	Osasuna
09/01	Zaragoza	0	-	1	Málaga
09/01	Deportivo	1	-	1	Getafe
09/01	Mallorca	1	-	0	Real Sociedad
09/02	Rayo Vallecano	0	-	0	Sevilla
09/02	Athletic Bilbao	2	-	0	Valladolid
09/02	Levante	3	-	2	Espanyol
09/02	Real Madrid	3	-	0	Granada
09/02	Barcelona	1	-	0	Valencia
09/15	Málaga	vs			Levante	‎-10:00 AM (ET)
09/15	Valencia	vs			Celta Vigo	‎-12:00 PM (ET)
09/15	Getafe	vs			Barcelona	‎-2:00 PM (ET)
09/15	Sevilla	vs			Real Madrid	‎-4:00 PM (ET)
09/16	Espanyol	vs			Athletic Bilbao	‎-6:00 AM (ET)
09/16	Granada	vs			Deportivo	‎-10:00 AM (ET)
09/16	Osasuna	vs			Mallorca	‎-12:00 PM (ET)
09/16	Real Sociedad	vs			Zaragoza	‎-1:50 PM (ET)
09/16	Atlético Madrid	vs			Rayo Vallecano	‎-3:30 PM (ET)
09/17	Valladolid	vs			Betis	‎-3:30 PM (ET)

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Madrid beats Granada, Barcelona edges out Valencia

Cristiano Ronaldo – Photo: AP

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice from the play with their tough opponents before injuring his leg to steer Real Madrid to a 3-0 home win over Granada on Sunday, the defending champions' first victory after three rounds of the Spanish season.

Barcelona, meanwhile, edged out Valencia 1-0 thanks to Adriano's first-half screamer to remain perfect after three games and lead the standings. Madrid displayed little of the attacking flair it unleashed to topple Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup earlier this week, but Ronaldo's first league goals this season proved more than enough against the modest talents of Granada.

Ronaldo scored in the 26th and 54th minutes before leaving the pitch grimacing and favoring his left leg following a tackle by Borja Gomez that cost the Granada defender a second booking. The Portugal forward uncharacteristically did not celebrate his goals.

"I am sad and the club knows it, that's why I didn't celebrate the goals," Ronaldo said, adding that he was upset for "professional" reasons before refusing to elaborate. With Granada down a man, Gonzalo Higuain scored in the 76th to seal the much-needed win. Madrid had only one point after the first two rounds. It trails Barcelona by five points.

"Ronaldo is an important player for us, he is our goal-scorer," Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said. "I hope he takes advantage of (this week's) international break and gets better soon." Barcelona had the chance to decide the game after Adriano's goal, but Cesc Fabregas missed two clear chances and the hosts struggled to protect their slimmest of leads in the final minutes.

"The important thing is that we pulled out the win," said Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, recently crowned UEFA's best player in Europe. "We could have increased the margin, above all in the first half. When you have chances you have to put them in because if not you suffer later."

One of the few bright spots for Barcelona was former Arsenal player Alex Song, who fit in seamlessly with his new team, not erring in passes and providing a defensive presence in midfield. Also Sunday, Athletic Bilbao beat Valladolid 2-0 for the Basques first win of the season. Sevilla drew 0-0 at Rayo Vallecano, and 10-man Levante came from behind to win 3-2 against visiting Espanyol.

In his first start for Madrid since joining from Tottenham, Luka Modric looked eager to justify his €35 million ($44 million) price tag. The Croatia playmaker drew an early save from Antonio "Tono" Rodriguez and combined well with his new teammates.

Ronaldo got the defending champions going in the 26th when he slotted Jose Callejon's pass between Tono's legs from a tight angle. But just like in the previous two matches against Valencia and Getafe, Madrid retreated after going in front, giving Granada a chance to come forward.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho sent on winger Angel Di Maria at the start of the second half to try to jumpstart his attack. The Argentina international quickly responded by sliding a through ball to Ronaldo cutting toward the near post. Tono did well to block his first shot, only to see the ball fall to Ronaldo's feet for him to fire into the open net.

Reduced to 10 men after Gomez's sending off, the visitors fell apart at the back, leaving Higuain alone to tap in a cross from an equally unmarked Karim Benzema and cap the victory. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho remained unsatisfied with his team's play in the league.

"Against Barcelona we played to the limit and in league games, no. It's difficult for me to explain," said Mourinho. "I am not happy. We have to play with more intensity and work harder." Barcelona started well with Lionel Messi forcing goalkeeper Diego Alves into a diving parry to keep his early header out.

But Diego Alves could do nothing to stop Adriano 22 minutes in. The Brazilian left back took a short pass from a corner, used one touch to gather momentum, and rocketed a right-footed shot from outside the area past the outstretched goalkeeper.

Fabregas wasted two excellent opportunities to double the lead on either side of halftime. Messi drew the defense in and laid off for the unmarked Fabregas to send his chip shot floating by the upright. Then, Fabregas fired high after Alexis Sanchez had found him inside the box.

"We didn't play an excellent game, but we got a good result against an important team," said Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who defended Fabregas. "Cesc is important for this team. He will make a difference and score goals for us this season."

Valencia, which had been limited to a miss by Roberto Soldado in the first 45 minutes, provoked nerves at Camp Nou after the restart as it started to pepper Barcelona's area. Barcelona assistant Jordi Roura, on the sideline with coach Tito Vilanova serving the first of a two-game ban for arguing with the referee, sent on Iniesta for Fabregas in the 64th.

Barcelona, however, stalled in attack, apparently either tired or affected by the loss to Madrid on Wednesday. Valencia defender Victor Ruiz came inches away from scoring the equalizer when his header just missed in the 90th.

On Saturday, it was: Celta Vigo 2, Osasuna 0; Zaragoza 0, Malaga 1; Deportivo La Coruna 1, Getafe 1; and Mallorca 1, Real Sociedad 0. Originally scheduled for Monday, Real Betis vs. Atletico Madrid has been postponed due to international matches.

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