La Liga 2023/24 - Matchday 1 - 11-14th August, 2023

[Stan]

Friday 11th August, 2023
Almeria vs Rayo Vallecano, 18.30
Sevilla vs Valencia, 20.00

Saturday 12th August, 2023
Real Sociedad vs Girona, 16.00
Las Palmas vs Mallorca, 18.30
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid, 20.30

Sunday 13th August, 2023
Celta Viga vs Osasuna, 16.00
Villarreal vs Real Betis, 18.30
Getafe vs Barcelona, 20.30

Monday 14th August, 2023
Cadiz vs Alaves, 18.30
Atletico Madrid vs Granada, 20.30

[Coma+]

And thus begins the slow march toward relegation for Valencia.  I don't think they have enough quality to avoid it this year after scraping by last year.

[Stan]

10 hours ago, Coma said:

And thus begins the slow march toward relegation for Valencia.  I don't think they have enough quality to avoid it this year after scraping by last year.

It's a good start nonetheless! 

[Coma+]

15 minutes ago, Stan said:

It's a good start nonetheless! 

I haven't watched it yet. Later tonight 

[Coma+]

Decent performance away from home. But how bad was Sevilla? Still I'll take 3 points and hopefully it was a confidence builder.

[Michael]

Well it's just finished 1-1 between Real Sociedad and Girona. Sociedad took the lead as early as the 4th minute through Kubo. But it was an incredible start for Dovbyk on his debut for Girona. Dovbyk who was bough by Girona from Dnipro a few days ago, was named on the bench for this match. But Girona brought Dovbyk on mid-way through the 2nd half, as he came on for Stuani. It only took Dovbyk 8 minutes of being on the pitch to score and equalise for Girone.

It was in fact none other than his Ukrainian team mate at Girona, Tsyhankov who provided the assist for Dovbyk's goal. Tsyhankov delivered a beautiful cross and Dovbyk met it with a lovely header to score and equalise for Girona. It was a great debut for Dovbyk and it looks like both Dovbyk and Tsyhankov are going to play key roles for Girona this season.

Final score: Real Sociedad 1-1 Girona

[Michael]

https://twitter.com/GironaFC/status/1690402279428403200?s=20

[Carnivore Chris]

On 11/08/2023 at 12:26, Coma said:

And thus begins the slow march toward relegation for Valencia.  I don't think they have enough quality to avoid it this year after scraping by last year.

I was thinking of doing a city break(in-between Andalucía in Oct and Fuerteventura in February) in Valencia in December and watching Valencia vs Barcelona, but I've moved the week in Fuerteventura to December now. So I'll be away early Oct for a week and mid December for a week.

I wouldn't mind watching Barça away at somepoint this season, but I'm fully booked up now this year. I still haven't paid for the whole of the other 2 trips coming up, so I can't be booking another yet. 

 

[Coma+]

4 hours ago, Carnivore Chris said:

I was thinking of doing a city break(in-between Andalucía in Oct and Fuerteventura in February) in Valencia in December and watching Valencia vs Barcelona, but I've moved the week in Fuerteventura to December now. So I'll be away early Oct for a week and mid December for a week.

I wouldn't mind watching Barça away at somepoint this season, but I'm fully booked up now this year. I still haven't paid for the whole of the other 2 trips coming up, so I can't be booking another yet. 

 

If I get over there I would like to see a match at Granada. I'm obsessed with the beauty of that town.

[Stan]

Didn't expect this. Thought Villarreal would win. Betis just scored a last minute winner through Willian Jose! 

[Stan]

Red card for Raphinha. Deserved but Getafe should have had 2 themselves. Referee doesn't have control of this game. 

@Carnivore Chris you watching? 

[Danny]

Did Araujo just pick the ball up midair and get away with it? I’m watching without sound so don’t know the reasoning.

Honestly I don’t get the hype with Raphinha, I might have before but I see him and just think he’s not at that level and Barce should have spent elsewhere

[Stan]

15 minutes ago, Danny said:

Did Araujo just pick the ball up midair and get away with it? I’m watching without sound so don’t know the reasoning.

Honestly I don’t get the hype with Raphinha, I might have before but I see him and just think he’s not at that level and Barce should have spent elsewhere

Raphinha was the one player that looked like he would score before his moment of madness. Was the only one breaking in behind. 

And yeah, Araujo had a massive brain fart but somehow didn't get booked

How Damian Suarez has got away without a card or two is beyond me. Some sly moments on Lewandowski and an off-the-ball elbow on Gundogan too. Very dirty player. 

[Danny]

3 minutes ago, Stan said:

Raphinha was the one player that looked like he would score before his moment of madness. Was the only one breaking in behind. 

And yeah, Araujo had a massive brain fart but somehow didn't get booked

How Damian Suarez has got away without a card or two is beyond me. Some sly moments on Lewandowski and an off-the-ball elbow on Gundogan too. Very dirty player. 

Yeah Raphinha looks sharp but I fee like his chance gets taken by a player like Salah or Vini Jr for example.

On a side note, so refreshing listening to Graham Hunter. He is levels above most punditry we have in England.

[Carnivore Chris]

15 minutes ago, Stan said:

Red card for Raphinha. Deserved but Getafe should have had 2 themselves. Referee doesn't have control of this game. 

@Carnivore Chris you watching? 

Yeah, it's been a scrappy game, as expected away to Getafe.

The midfield and defence are spot on, but the attack needs more. There are various attackers in the squad but getting them to perform consistently or finding some form of fluidity has been an issue.

8 minutes ago, Danny said:

Did Araujo just pick the ball up midair and get away with it? I’m watching without sound so don’t know the reasoning.

Honestly I don’t get the hype with Raphinha, I might have before but I see him and just think he’s not at that level and Barce should have spent elsewhere

He thought the ball had gone out of play. Very strange moment to be honest 

[Stan]

Mata now sent off. Getafe down to 10 now. Could be game changing moment. 

[Stan]

7 minutes ago, Carnivore Chris said:

Yeah, it's been a scrappy game, as expected away to Getafe.

The midfield and defence are spot on, but the attack needs more. There are various attackers in the squad but getting them to perform consistently or finding some form of fluidity has been an issue.

Yeah especially up against a low block defence. 

What's the beef between Xavi and Bordelas? Heard the commentators mention it a couple of times. 

[Carnivore Chris]

Lamine Yamal and Ansu warning up. 

 

The speed then by Abde! Fuck me.

[Stan]

And now Xavi sent off

 

[Carnivore Chris]

10 minutes ago, Stan said:

Yeah especially up against a low block defence. 

What's the beef between Xavi and Bordelas? Heard the commentators mention it a couple of times. 

Now Xavi sent off. He lost his head as soon as the whistle blew to be honest. 

 

 

[Carnivore Chris]

2 minutes ago, Stan said:

And now Xavi sent off

 

He's still going mad now 

Yamal is coming on. Watch out for this kid this season!

[Stan]

Araujo kicked on the boot. Think he's milking it

Don't think ref will give this as a penalty. 

[Stan]

Handball against Gavi. What a joke that is

That's never a handball.