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Real humbled in Spanish opener
Monday 01 September 2008
Spanish champions Real Madrid were
upset 2-1 at Deportivo La Coruna in the opening match
of their bid for a third straight league title on Sunday,
while bitter rivals Barcelona lost 1-0 at promoted Numancia
in a major disappointment for new coach Pep Guardiola.
Bernd Schuster’s Real have
not won at Deportivo since 1991, and went behind in
the 26th minute to Mista’s goal.
Without the injured Wesley Sneijder
and the suspended Rafael van der Vaart Madrid lacked
creativity but when Ruud van Nistelrooy reacted well
to a deflected Raul cross Real leveled two minutes after
halftime.
Defender Alberto Lopo put the hosts
ahead again with the eventual winner on 51.
Numancia midfielder Mario Martinez
decided the game against Barcelona in the 13th minute
at Los Pajaritos Stadium with a fierce shot which flew
past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Barcelona attacked Numancia’s
goal after falling behind, with striker Samuel Eto’o
coming closest when he curled a shot that hit the bar
four minutes later.
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