Spanish Football

Sofascore Team of the Week – Segunda Division Round 8

Leaders Osasuna lost heavily against Alaves although they have had more of the ball and the game, while Mallorca finally won in the Round 8 of Segunda.

By Richard Downing

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CD Alaves have somehow managed to get three points in their home match against Osasuna in an undisputed match of the week in Segunda, allowing Cordoba to fully catch Navarre-crew at the top of the table. Mirandes also grabbed three points away at Elche in a match that has seen five goals in second half alone, while Mallorca finally got a win in against Llagostera to move away from the very bottom of the table.

Only undefeated side in the league, Numancia, avoided defeat yet again with a draw against Athletic Bilbao B, however, they will be less satisfied side with a goalless draw, having missed a penalty and periods of domination throughout the end of first and much of the second half. Athletic have also had their chances, but Biel Ribas stood firm for Numancia to deny them all, as he collected four very good saves, kept his sheet clean and deserved a place in the Team of the Week.

Mallorca defenders were in a good shape to grant their team desperately needed defensive stability in order to get victory. Two of them got in this Team of the Week – right back Biel Company, who assisted for only goal in the match, and David Costas at the center back position, having collected three clearances, four interceptions and won thirteen out of his seventeen duels.

Second center back comes from Mirandes, as Ernesto Galan Inigo showed resilience at both ends of the pitch, defending his goal with four interceptions and two tackles, as well as assisting and scoring upfront. As for left back, Diego Rico of Zaragoza was an obvious choice, scoring one goal in a 3-1 victory against Albacete to help his team get second victory in a row.

Midfield consists of four players of four different teams – Quique of Almeria scored an early penalty opener to get his side in front away at Girona, and although they were soon denied victory, wing man remained dangerous throughout the game, creating some big chances and collecting passes. Nestor Salinas scored and assisted for Mirandes, Sasa Markovic was rock in the midfield of Cordoba as they won 2-1 in Lugo with his passing and tackling, and Manuel Arana showed his experience for Mallorca combining very good with Javi Ros and Eduard Campabadal to give his side midfield advantage.

In attack, we opted for Xisco of Gimnastic, who played marvelous match although he was on the field for 27 minutes only – having been brought on in the middle of the second half, Balearic-born veteran forward scored an equalizer for Nastic and later assisted for another one, for a final 2-2 draw against Ponferradina. Gaizka Toquero of Alaves is his partner in attack, having scored an opener against Osasuna in his team’s 3-0 victory.