It was a busy week in the world of Spanish football, with several big results in LaLiga being accompanied by contract renewals, a free agent signing and a coaching hire. Iñigo Pérez enjoys a super start as Rayo Vallecano coachRayo Vallecano made a managerial change this past week. After deciding to move on from Francisco, the club brought back former assistant coach Iñigo Pérez to become the head coach. His first game presented a very difficult challenge, with leaders Real Madrid visiting Vallecas, but Los Franjirrojos earned an impressive 1-1 draw. Real Madrid have failed to extend their lead in the La Liga title race to eight points, having been held to a 1-1 draw by local rivals Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas, in what was a promising start to life for the hosts’ head coach, Inigo Perez. pic.twitter.com/ubreEy12wp— All football (@SinghEshaw20355) February 19, 2024 Atlético Madrid put on a showAtlético Madrid put on a show for their fans at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano on Saturday, as Los Colchoneros thrashed UD Las Palmas 5-0. Marcos Llorente and Ángel Correa scored two goals each, while Memphis Depay came off the bench to add the fifth. Five things you may not know about Diego SimeoneRobert Lewandowski keeps Barça thirdA 2-1 win away at RC Celta means FC Barcelona remain in third place, and the Catalan side can thank Robert Lewandowski for the three points. The Polish striker scored at the end of each half, winning the game with a 97th minute penalty. UD Almería take Levante UD’s unwanted recordFor UD Almería, this weekend presented a golden opportunity to pick up their first win of the season as they faced second-bottom Granada CF. However, that match finished as a 1-1 draw and means UD Almería have now gone on the longest winless run in LaLiga history, of 28 matches. They’ve overtaken the run of 27 games without a win that Levante UD suffered between 2021 and 2022.Budimir climbs up the Pichichi rankingsCA Osasuna celebrated a 2-0 victory over Cádiz CF this weekend, in which striker Ante Budimir scored both Los Rojillos’ goals. The Croatian has been in fine form of late and now has 13 LaLiga goals, moving him into fourth in the Pichichi standings and just three goals behind leader Jude Bellingham. Real Sociedad end their droughtWhen Real Sociedad travelled to face RCD Mallorca in Matchday 25, they did so having endured a poor run of form. The Basque outfit hadn’t scored a goal in their previous three LaLiga games and had won just one of their previous eight fixtures in league play. Thanks to goals from Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Merino, Imanol Alguacil’s side won 2-1 in Palma, and climbed back into the European qualification spots.Kubo is staying in San SebastiánTakefusa Kubo also made headlines off the pitch this week, as the Japan international signed a long-term contract extension at Real Sociedad, committing until 2029. That is great news for the club, as Kubo has been one of the best La Real players since arriving in 2022.Other contract renewals around the leagueThere were several other contract extensions in LaLiga this week. For example, Germán Pezzella extended his Real Betis contract until 2026. Furthermore, two UD Las Palmas players put pen to paper on new deals, as Álex Suárez committed to the club until 2026 and Kirian Rodríguez until 2028. José Campaña signs with UD Las PalmasUD Las Palmas also made a signing this past week as they were able to bring in José Campaña as a free agent. The 30-year-old midfielder is recovering from a significant injury, but will bring experience to the Canary Islanders’ midfield, as he has already made over 150 LaLiga appearances in his career. Real Madrid and Real Sociedad return to the Champions LeagueThe Champions League knockouts commenced this past week and there were mixed results for Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in their Round of 16 first legs. The 14-time winners of the competition went away to RB Leipzig and won 1-0 thanks to a Brahim Díaz goal, while Real Sociedad went to Paris and made PSG suffer before ultimately losing that first leg 2-0. This coming week, it’s the turn of FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid to return to Champions League action, away at Napoli and Inter respectively. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7881768##
