This is a summary of some of the most interesting La Liga storylines from the past week, covering the positive, the negative, and the truly beautiful aspects of the game.
The Good: Enough to get you off your seat, at least
“I recognise that player.” Perhaps that’s what Ernesto Valverde jotted down when he sat back down after Oihan Sancet dummied, feinted, threatened, and finally hammered in Athletic Club’s fourth and decisive goal against Alaves. Los Leones secured a 4-2 victory, propelling them to 8th place and, surprisingly, into a European qualification race. As the weekend began, Athletic trailed Getafe by two goals on difference for a Conference League spot and were just three points behind Celta Vigo for a Europa League place. In a season marked by fatigue, frustration, and a deafening lack of rhythm, it’s rather perplexing that they might achieve their objective by the end.
Even better news? The emergence of not only Sancet but also Nico Williams. Sancet looked sharp, composed, and understated in the final third, shedding the image of a sloppy player who had been masquerading as himself all season. Williams scored twice, and his celebration for the second goal, which put Athletic ahead, was filled with emotion from the gifted 23-year-old. Part of his charisma stemmed from his easy smiles and the freedom with which he conducted himself. He roared like a man who felt like himself again.
In both his one-two with Gorka Guruzeta – a smart initial move followed by a cunning eye to find the gap for the shot – and his exquisite lofted finish in a one-on-one situation, Williams moved with that same freedom. To score those two goals, he needed only six uncomplicated touches. Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera had to slam on the brakes as he misjudged how quickly Williams could reach the ball, nearly sliding right past him.
While that might further illustrate the point, the conclusion on Valverde’s notepad must be the same: “I recognise that guy.” Over the coming years, Williams and Sancet will have a significant say in the direction of Athletic Club and, in Williams’ case, the Spanish national team. Watching them against Alaves was enough to make even the scowling Txingurri (Valverde’s nickname) get up in the rain and cheer.
The Bad: Michel Sanchez threatens a sour farewell
As Michel Sanchez draws increasingly closer to being appointed the next Ajax manager, he can ill afford to let his focus waver from Girona’s relegation battle. Following a victory over Villarreal and a draw at the Santiago Bernabeu, it truly seemed like they could start ordering more La Liga branding for the following year. However, a 3-2 loss to Real Betis at Montilivi, a 1-0 defeat at home to RCD Mallorca last weekend, and a 2-1 loss at Mestalla have compounded their issues. Mallorca have now overtaken Girona on goal difference, leaving them just two points above the drop zone again.
Individually, the first two results are not a cause for major concern, but it’s worth noting that it was an out-of-form Real Betis side that secured their first La Liga win against Girona in 11 games. This occurred in a match where Girona took the lead and then equalized, only to concede from all three shots on target. A week later at Mestalla, Valencia scored with their only two shots on target, and Girona came away with nothing from a game that was, as the saying goes, “not for losing.”
Michel’s sense of injustice might have grown against Mallorca, as his side outperformed their opponents, causing the islanders significant problems, yet walked away without a goal from their 1.72 expected goals. Even Cristhian Stuani missed an open goal. Their expensive number nine signing, Vladyslav Vanat, hasn’t been prolific but has been fairly consistent with his 10 goals. Now that he’s out for the season, Girona have been relying on talented teenager Claudio Echeverri, but in the fierce relegation wilderness, he needs too many opportunities to finish.
This is starving Girona of points. Their remaining schedule includes Rayo Vallecano (away), Real Sociedad (home), Atletico Madrid (away), and Elche (home). While they may hope some of those teams will be less aggressive, three of them are currently stronger sides than Girona. Without labouring the metaphor any further, Girona are in more trouble than their play has warranted this season, but they are in it nonetheless. Michel has been the greatest manager in Girona’s history – it would be a cruel twist of fate if he left them where they began together.
The Beautiful: Just a tourist in Galicia
One of the great joys of Spanish football is stumbling upon a wealth of mixed terminology and language that often feels slightly awkward but sometimes conveys the meaning much better than any native terms. When we say Williot Swedberg invented an assist for Borja Iglesias in Celta Vigo’s 3-1 win over Elche, it perfectly describes the fact that it was an idea he conceived.
While some people might have seen the run, nobody foresaw the method, and nobody anticipated such a smooth execution of a move that required exceptional vision to even conceive. Least of all poor Elche defender Victor Chust, whose legs seemed to operate with a delay. Perhaps the only other fitting adjective is “conjure” – he magicked the goal out of thin air. “The pass he made today was incredible, a work of art,” said manager Claudio Giraldez. “He does it with astonishing composure. If you see him before matches, wearing a jacket and shorts, he looks like a tourist just passing through. The more composed he seems, the better player he is.”
If you watch the celebrations, you’ll see not only several fans doubled over, hands to their heads, unsure whether to be delighted at the goal or astonished at the manner of its arrival, but also one of his Celta teammates doing the same. It’s a pass that softens every cynic and turns every adult back into a child. Swedberg had a tough start to his time in Galicia, but he’s no longer a “bad tourist.” He’s beginning to leave indelible marks on his destination.
