18/09/2005
Real slump to third defeat, Atletico beat Barca
Real Madrid completed a miserable week when
they slipped to a third defeat in a row after losing 1-0 at Espanyol in
the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Champions Barcelona also suffered as they were dealt their first loss of
the season when they went down 2-1 at Atletico Madrid in the day's late
match.
A determined and well-organised Espanyol grabbed victory when defender
Daniel Jarque got behind the Real back four to head in Ivan de la Pena's
free kick 22 minutes from time.
Real's pride was further wounded when two of their new signings sent off
in the closing minutes.
Sergio Ramos was dismissed for a body check on the outstanding De la
Pena as he surged towards goal and Julio Baptista followed him down the
tunnel in injury time after a reckless studs-up challenge on substitute
Jonathan Soriano.
Real lost 3-2 to Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu last Saturday before being
put to the sword in a 3-0 defeat at Olympique Lyon in the Champions
League on Tuesday.
The results are a carbon copy of the events that led former coach Jose
Antonio Camacho to throw in the towel last season when Real lost 3-0 to
Bayer Leverkusen in Europe and 1-0 at Espanyol in their third league
game with two players sent off.
Barca took an early lead when Samuel Eto'o steered in from close range
but Atletico hit back with their first goal of the season when Fernando
Torres powered in a header after Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov had torn
his way down the left flank.
Mateja Kezman scored the winner when he ghosted in at the far post early
in the second half and Atletico withstood some heavy pressure after
being reduced to 10 men when centre back Pablo Ibanez was sent off with
23 minutes still to play.
PULSATING WIN
Earlier, Bernd Schuster's Getafe claimed top spot in the Primera Liga
for the first time in their history thanks to a pulsating 4-3 win at
Alaves.
The modest Madrid-based side, who played in the top flight for the first
time last season, twice came from behind to goals from Alaves's
Brazilian striker Nene in the opening half hour.
Striker Riki put Getafe ahead with his second goal when he volleyed home
seven minutes from the break and defender Mariano Pernia made it 4-2
early in the second half with a curled free kick into the top corner.
Nene notched his hat-trick with a second penalty in the 65th minute but
it was still not enough to prevent a defeat.
Getafe join Deportivo Coruna, who drew 2-2 at Valencia on Saturday, at
the top on seven points, one ahead of Celta, who dropped their first
points this season in a 1-0 defeat at home to Racing Santander.
Real Madrid had the better of the early play at Montjuic and Ronaldo
almost gave the visitors the lead when he powered a close-range header
against the base of the post after David Beckham swept a free kick into
the area.
But they began to run short of ideas as the half wore on and it was
Espanyol who appeared to have a much clearer game plan with their deep
defending and swift counter-attacks.
The Catalans finally broke the deadlock when Jarque headed in De la
Pena's probing free kick, although Real complained they heard the
referee's whistle just before the goal was scored.
Real then lost their cool completely in the final minutes with Ramos and
Baptista deserving their marching orders.
The defeat left Real in 15th place with three points from three matches.
Barcelona are eighth just a point ahead of Real.
