LaLiga: Thriller in Sevilla, Costa's back with a bang but Real Madrid lose yet more ground

After the traditional winter break it was time for the world to embrace once again at the weekend. Would 2018 signal a change in fortunes for those sides who didn’t quite hit the mark in 2017? We were treated to yet another LaLiga classic though as the Sevilla derby didn’t disappoint.

THE WINNERS

A thriller in Sevilla

We are constantly told how form goes out of the window when it comes to local derbies or grudge matches. Real Betis made the short trip across the city to face Sevilla boasting a less than impressive record on their travels. Five losses in their previous eight away matches in LaLiga to be precise. Nor did Sevilla’s 29-match unbeaten record at the Sanchez-Pizjuan add any other reason to be optimistic. But it was ‘el Dia de Los Reyes’ – and Betis were due the best present of all.

The Day of Kings, or Kings Day, is essentially when most Spaniards celebrate Christmas. And for Real Betis’ loyal fan base, they only wanted one gift: bragging rights. It’s a derby which to the green and white half of the city hasn’t been competitive. Like an older brother, Sevilla have seemingly kept their smaller sibling at bay, almost toying with them. The last time Betis had won a LaLiga derby against Sevilla was back in 2012. That too, came at the home of their local rivals. You need to go all the way back to 2006 for the last Betis victory against Sevilla in front of their own fans.

It was a game with plenty of narratives: Vincenzo Montella’s first game in charge at Sevilla, the first since Monchi left and Steven N’Zonzi’s return to the fold. By the end of 90 minutes all three of those were largely forgotten. As this was a day for Betis and their supporters. A fan base, which throughout so many tough spells and disappointments, has remained loyal and vocal.

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You hope that for a side which dreams of competing in European football, this result could prove to be the catalyst to making it a reality. Young Fabian, who started the season so well before retreating to his shell a little, was the star of the show. Dani Ceballos who? His range of passing, vision and cutting edge pulled Betis further and further away from Sevilla. It’s vitally important they increase his buyout clause from the measly €15m it currently stands at.

There was a lot of quality on show but these are two sides with defensive issues. The final scoreline of 5-3 only underlines that. It was the first time in Betis’ history they had scored five on enemy territory. It was their moment to celebrate, their time to rub their rivals nose in the result. “Today no one can rest. Whoever arrives home before 5am will be fined!” Club legend Joaquin Sanchez knows best.

The good, the bad and the Costa

When you hype up something for so long the end result can often be underwhelming. The anticipation and desire fizzles out quickly, like when your parents buy a box of fireworks but they’re all Catherine wheels. For Diego Costa’s return to Atletico Madrid, we all expected fireworks – but none of us were disappointed by the spectacle.

Costa is either someone you love or you hate, there’s no in between. One of those Marmite players. He’s aggressive, wild but unlike so many others players in that style he actually possesses plenty of talent too. Diego Simeone knew this and so did the Atletico fans who felt their side lost an edge without their combative striker. All this despite two Champions League final appearances in his absence. So many wonder if the result of one – or both – would’ve been different if Diego was still in the side.

After a goalscoring return in the Copa del Rey for Costa, it was time for LaLiga duty. Five minutes into the match against Getafe, Costa was in space and unleashed a rocket towards Emiliano Martínez’s goal. It narrowly went over the bar but it was a sign of things to come.

Angel Correa put Atletico ahead but it was Costa who would double the side’s lead. Sime Vrsaljko’ cross was expertly passed into the back of the net by Costa. His natural reaction was to jump in the crowd and celebrate. Unfortunately for Costa he was already on a booking and this saw him sent off. From hero to villain in a matter of minutes. But for Atletico and their fans, Costa is their villain – and they wouldn’t change him for anyone else.

Valencia get back to winning ways

The final six months of 2017 saw that it was a year to remember for Valencia’s long-suffering fans. The progress under Marcelino – alongside better recruitment – meant Los Che were even daring to dream of mounting a title challenge. But three defeats in their last four league matches, including a painful home loss to rivals Villarreal, took the shine off things a little.

Marcelino was back in the dugout after an accident involving a wild boar disrupted his Christmas plans. Girona would prove to be tough opposition as they continue to defy their critics and remain eight points clear of the relegation places. And it was the visitors who would take the lead through ex-Valencia player Portu. Suspect defending was duly punished by the striker but he refused to celebrate out of respect for his former employers.

Valencia responded well and got back on level terms when Goncalo Guedes trickery down the right saw his cross turned into his own net by Jonás Ramalho. The home side should’ve had a penalty before the break when Bono caught Rodrigo Moreno in the box. The referee waved away the protests.

Early in the second half, Valencia did get their penalty. Jose Luis Gaya was sliced down. Dani Parejo converted from 12 yards to put Valencia 2-1 up. Neto made some smart saves to keep Valencia’s lead in tact but the home side were worthy winners. No doubt their collective wish for Christmas is finding the cash to make Guedes move to Valencia a permanent one.

THE LOSERS

New year, same problems for Zidane

Managing Real Madrid is notoriously difficult. The expectations at the club are beyond what most managers need to deal with. Just ask Vicente Del Bosque who was sacked because he didn’t win the Champions League. The demands are high but so are the rewards. That’s why so many managers want an opportunity to sit in the dugout at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane had already achieved legend status at the club from his playing days and last year saw him achieve the same status but as a manager. In 18 months at the helm he was tripping over trophies. Eight to be precise. Back to back Champions League crowns as well as ousting Barcelona from the top of LaLiga. Following the FIFA Club World Cup triumph back in December, Zidane said he still hoped the club could win six titles by the end of the season. Now, at best, it can only be five.

Whether it’s the injuries to key players, complacency or the lack of new blood in the side something isn’t quite working at Madrid. Zidane looks lost and devoid of ideas in trying to turn the situation around. It feels bizarre that the Frenchman is under pressure. After all, in such a short space of time he’s become the fourth-most decorated coach in the club’s history. He’s now under serious pressure to deliver.

Gareth Bale’s double was only enough for Real Madrid to take a point from Celta Vigo. And take nothing away from the hosts as they deserved at least a share of the spoils.

Cristiano Ronaldo was anonymous, almost going through the motions. Marcelo isn’t the same force anymore either. Zidane’s stubbornness when it comes to change could be his undoing.

Heartbreak for Samper

If someone had told you, four to five years ago, that Barcelona would be top of LaLiga then it wouldn’t have surprised many of us. But to find out that Sergi Samper wasn’t a part of the squad would have. Such was the hype with Samper that it seemed a question of when, not if he’d claim his place in the Catalan giant’s midfield. Samper was the future.

An unsuccessful spell out on loan at Granada did little to help his stalling career. In a poorly constructed squad he found it difficult to adapt and stamp his authority on games. By the beginning of March, he was out of the starting line-up. Disaster.

A move to Las Palmas this season looked like a good fit for him, even with Quique Setien moving on. But unfortunately under Pako Ayestaran it was a similar situation to that at Granada. A team without ideas, without leadership and set to crash down in the second division.

The appointment of Paco Jemez was a ray of light at the end of a long tunnel for Samper. Jemez, like Setien, is an advocate of aesthetically pleasing football. This would seemingly suit the Barcelona academy star. In just his second start for Las Palmas, the curse continues. Samper’s foot got stuck in the ground and his momentum saw him fall in the opposition direction. Immediately you knew it was bad news. Samper had broken his leg and torn ankle ligaments ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Villarreal stumble at home to Deportivo

This week saw Cedric Bakambu say his goodbyes at Villarreal as he’s heading to the Chinese Super League. Villarreal will pocket a cool €40m for the striker but, much like Liverpool with the Coutinho money, it’ll only be worth it if the replacements make up the difference.

A 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo de La Coruña wasn’t how Villarreal wanted to start 2018. Their fans are used to seeing star players leave for high sums but there must be a concern that they won’t be as strong without Bakambu to call upon.

Enes Unal, the former Man City striker, did get on the scoresheet at least. However you sense it’ll be difficult for him to replicate the form of Bakambu.