Saturday 17 September 2011

Spanish Primera Liga Preview

Real Betis striker Jorge Molina has highlighted his side's never-say-die attitude as the promoted outfit head into the third round of Primera Division action as one of only three clubs still boasting a 100 per cent record.

Last season's Segunda Division champions are currently level on six points with Real Madrid and Valencia after starting their campaign with 1-0 victories over Granada and Real Mallorca.

Both of those victories have been secured with goals in the last four minutes from Ruben Castro, and Molina believes that is proof his side are ready to battle until the final whistle.

He said ahead of this weekend's trip to Athletic Bilbao: "The goals are arriving late but this shows that we don't give up at all. We're showing that we're going to fight for matches until the end and letting our rivals know that we want the points at all times.

"Hopefully things continue like that."

He added: "Clearly we would've wanted to start as well as this. It's very good to start with six points from six, although we know there's a long way to go."

Early-season pacesetters Madrid will look to build on their impressive start when they go to Levante.

Jose Mourinho's troops followed up their 6-0 opening win over Real Zaragoza with a 4-2 home triumph over Getafe last weekend.

Madrid then recorded a 1-0 midweek triumph at Dinamo Zagreb to begin their Champions League campaign on a winning note as well, and although the club were unhappy about the treatment meted out to Cristiano Ronaldo in that match, assistant coach Aitor Karanka is pleased with the way things are going.

"We must keep this up, growing and working hard to do a good job. It's easier to work when you earn positive results. If we keep this up we'll reap rewards," he said.

Defending champions Barcelona will be looking to end a disappointing week on a high note when they host Osasuna at the Nou Camp.

Last weekend Barca had to settle for a draw at Real Sociedad despite leading 2-0 after 11 minutes, and then on Tuesday they were held to a 2-2 Champions League draw at home by AC Milan after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer.

Barca midfielder Xavi said: "What happened on Tuesday is pure bad luck, totally unfair. The other day (against Sociedad) we dropped our intensity in the second half of the game, but this time the team played well, we pressurized them until the 90th minute, and we had possession of the ball."

He added: "We have to win, now, this Saturday. We'll battle on. We know we have a great team to carry on winning things, and we're competitive."

Valencia striker Roberto Soldado will look to add to the four goals he netted in wins over Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid when Los Che travel to second-bottom Sporting Gijon.

Sevilla and Real Sociedad will both attempt to build on their four-point haul so far when they meet at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, while Atletico host Racing, Espanyol go to Zaragoza and Malaga make the trip to Mallorca.

Also, rock-bottom Granada hunt their first points as they meet Villarreal while local rivals Getafe and Rayo Vallecano meet in this weekend's other match.

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