Old friends and rivals reunited in first LaLiga midweek games
LaLiga’s first midweek round of games of 2018/19 brings together many old friends and rivals, as leaders Barcelona look to stay ahead of a chasing pack headed by Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi shoots a penalty kick to score a goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs CD Leganes at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 19, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Josep Lago
Barcelona visit Leganes early Wednesday evening with former blaugrana defender Mauricio Pellegrino, who spent the 1998/99 season at the Camp Nou, hoping to repeat the victory over his old side he achieved as Alaves manager two years ago.
Later that night, Madrid captain Sergio Ramos travels to his former club Sevilla, with the Andalusian often having a dramatic time on LaLiga returns to the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan – including spectacular goals in two of the last three seasons.
Atletico Madrid supporters will also have a warm welcome for a former player when current Huesca coach Leo Franco, who played 153 LaLiga games as Atletico’s goalkeeper between 2004 and 2009, brings his team to the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night.
Tuesday’s action begins earlier in the evening with Espanyol looking to continue their 100% record in front of their own fans this season, but Eibar travelling confident having won for the first time ever at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat last term.
Also on Tuesday is Real Sociedad at home to Rayo Vallecano, with the San Sebastian side looking for a first home win at their newly renovated Anoeta stadium, where Rayo have taken the points in two of their last three LaLiga visits.
Wednesday sees Athletic Bilbao host Villarreal, with the visitors not having won a LaLiga game at San Mames since way back in 2011. That evening also has Celta Vigo coming to Mestalla to face Valencia, who are still looking for their first home win of 2018/19.
Thursday has Real Valladolid also hoping for a first three points of the campaign at their Estadio Jose Zorrilla, with Levante visiting for the first time in five LaLiga seasons.
Alaves welcome Getafe to the Estadio de Mendizorroza with Jose Bordalas’ side having won five of their last six away games in LaLiga, a run dating back to the end of 2017/18.
The last game of the midweek list has Girona at home to Real Betis late on Thursday evening – with Betis having secured goalless draws in both their away LaLiga matches so far this term.
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