La Liga News: 20 September 2015; Real Madrid Survive Granada Scare, Valencia Struggles Continue

La Liga preview: Ronaldo chasing Raul's record as injuries pile up for Madrid and Barca - Goal.com
La Liga enters its fourth round of matches following the European fixtures in midweek and as usual, there are plenty of talking points. At the top, Barcelona is the only side with maximum points, having edged out Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon last weekend. Real Madrid is now second with seven from nine, just like Celta Vigo, Villarreal and Eibar.

Karim Benzema header edges Real Madrid past Granada | Sky Sports
Karim Benzema scored the only goal as Real Madrid were made to sweat to see off a bold Granada side at the Bernabeu. The Frenchman headed in a cross from Isco nine minutes into the second half to break the deadlock against the dogged Andalusians, who had what looked to be a legitimate goal ruled out for offside and squandered a number of clear scoring chances.

Rafa Benitez concerned by Real Madrid 'mistakes' - ESPN FC
Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez said his team still had room for improvement after Saturday's unconvincing 1-0 win at home to Granada put them top of the early La Liga table. The game was billed as a likely record-breaking occasion for Cristiano Ronaldo, but for the Portuguese had an off-day as Real's 1-0 victory was clinched by Karim Benzema's header.

Perez: Madrid needed new impetus | Football Espana
Florentino Perez has explained how Real Madrid’s need for “a new impetus” led to the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season. Ancelotti ended Los Blancos’ much-coveted pursuit of a 10th European cup as he guided the side to the 2013-14 Champions League but failed to win a major trophy last season.

Granada's Youssef El Arabi unhappy with referee after Real Madrid loss - Goal.com
Youssef El Arabi was unable to hide his frustration with referee Juan Martinez Munuera's display in Granada's 1-0 La Liga loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Martinez Munuera controversially ruled out El Arabi's effort halfway through the first half, before allowing Karim Benzema's second-half goal to stand after Isco had seemingly strayed into an offside position in the build up to the winner.

Marcelo: Refs can make mistakes | Football Espana
“We started off with some chances but they had some too,” the left-back said after the game. “We managed to score a goal in the end, and that helped us a lot to get the three points. [On El-Arabi’s disallowed goal], everyone has the right to make a mistake, including referees and players."

Fernando Torres inspires Atletico Madrid to victory vs Eibar - ESPN FC
Argentinian youngster Correa opened the scoring two minutes after coming off the bench by taking advantage of a pass from Torres, and he later returned the favour for the Spaniard, who sealed the points for Atletico with 12 minutes to go.

Valencia 0-0 Real Betis - ESPN FC
Valencia's underwhelming start to the Primera Division season continued as they were held to a goalless draw at their Mestalla home by Real Betis, who played most of the second half with 10 men. Midfielder Dani Ceballos was dismissed after 48 minutes for the visitors, and although Valencia took the initiative for much of what remained of the game, they failed to create many clear chances.

Nuno accepts responsibility for misfiring Valencia - Inside Spanish Football
“The team are producing but aren’t converting chances, and this is a problem we have to work on. The two halves were very different: In the first we had opportunities but they took more risks, although we combined better. In the second half the sending off saw Betis stay back and the space, was reduced. We have to carry on, work much more and keep calm.”

Last-gasp Hernan Perez goal earns Espanyol win over David Moyes' Real Sociedad - ESPN FC
Hernan Perez headed a last-time winner to clinch Espanyol a 3-2 Primera Division victory at 10-man Real Sociedad and heap more pressure on their under-fire boss David Moyes. Moyes' side have yet to win this season after a summer of big spending but looked set for another point when Jonathas drew them level in the 86th minute, but Perez snatched victory for Espanyol with a far-post header in the final minute of regulation time.

Source: Bostjan Cernensek http://ift.tt/1OnfRDv