La Liga blog: Kaka and Pique back in style but Betis steal the headlines
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Wednesday is La Liga day, and here's www.spanishfootball.info 's David Cartlidge with his take on the week's big issues in Spain.
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After their recent slump of sorts, Real Madrid have pulled themselves together.
First, they triumphed over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend. Rayo are one of the newly-promoted teams and are also based in Madrid, so were desperate to put one over on their glamorous local rivals. A few thousand Rayo fans made the short trip across the city and couldn't believe their eyes when Michu grabbed a goal inside one minute to stun the home crowd. But after staggering for a while, Madrid soon got into the groove against naive opponents who continuously pushed on. The result: Real won 6-2. Still, Rayo came, and they did indeed make a go of things so credit to them.
Next Jose Mourinho's were back in Champions League action andset about taking Ajax apart 3-0 last night. In the early stages, Madrid again looked disjointed as Ajax's young side played some slick stuff but the Spanish side's class shone through. Xabi Alonso directed traffic from central midfield in a composed, classy manner that Liverpool fans will remember fondly but it was a certain Brazilian star who grabbed the limelight.
Kaka has been a much maligned figure at the Bernabeu since his arrival from Milan, as injuries and poor form have stalled his career. Madrid's notoriously fickle media and support have taken a few pops at him too, so it's pleasant to see him smiling again. Against Ajax he looked back to his glorious best as he weighed in with two assists and a goal before being substituted to a standing ovation from the Bernabeu. If Mourinho can get Kaka's fitness levels up and playing like this consistently, it will be like having a brand new player.
Barcelona, meanwhile, were in action against Atletico Madrid, and what was being billed as a contest turned into another one-sided affair. Pepe Guardiola's men steamrollered Atletico with Lionel Messi very much behind the wheel, with the Argentinean in stunning form to grab a hat-trick. He's also on the verge of breaking all-time goal scoring records at the club, with greats Kubala (2 goals away) and Cesar (43 goals away) in his sights. You'd be mad to bet against Messi not smashing those into pieces.
If that wasn't enough good news for Barcelona fans, then they received more when Gerard Pique made his long awaited return from injury against Atletico. Given Guardiola's recent implementation of 3-4-3, there has been more strain applied to the midfield to defend, but with Pique back the likes of Xavi and Sergio Busquets can relax a little more, such is the stature of the one time Manchester United man at the club.
The nicest story of the season this has far has to be that of Real Betis. Away from the top flight for two years, they are sitting at the summit of La Liga after five games, and despite losing this past weekend to Getafe 1-0 they managed to stay top.
Historically speaking Betis are a club of epic proportions, particularly so in their loyal fan base which is dotted all around Spain. They're loud, and extremely proud of the club despite the trials and tribulations which have entwined its being - mainly due to abysmal ownership and one particular president who loved the sound of his own name just a little too much. They are under no illusions that they'll be in the same position come end of the season but right now it's Betis' time once again.
Their fans are enjoying it, neutrals are enjoying it and well... even some opposition fans are enjoying it. Betis really are that much fun.
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Follow David Cartlidge on Twitter @Nerdyyy and at www.spanishfootball.info
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