Levante facing tricky Malaga clash

Levante are one of only three teams yet to lose in La Liga, but face a tough tie against big-spending Malaga.

Friday 14th October 2011

Levante goalkeeper Gustavo Munua, a former Malaga player, said in AS: "We are playing in front of our own fans and we want to continue being strong and solid at home. We know we're going well and that the matches at our stadium are going to be key to our objective of survival.

"Malaga have an impressive project and it's a nice challenge for us to play this game. We will try to win because we have to take it game by game, as we still haven't achieved anything."

In other matches this weekend, Rayo Vallecano host Espanyol, and Real Sociedad go to Real Zaragoza.

On Monday night, Athletic Bilbao make the short trip to take on Osasuna.

Saturday Round-Up

Lionel Messi reached another Lionel Messi reached another Barcelona landmark with two more brilliant goals to inspire them to a 3-0 victory over Racing Santander.

The Argentinian added the finish following a slick one-two with Andres Iniesta to move clear in second on the Catalan club's list of all-time top goalscorers.

And he rounded off the scoring after a rare headed goal by Xavi with a simple finish after Iniesta had produced an outrageous piece of skill and shot against a post.

Real Madrid remain a point behind their bitter rivals as Gonzalo Higuain's third hat-trick in his last four matches steered them to a 4-1 win over Real Betis.

Kaka scored Real's second just before the hour mark, with Jorge Molina briefly threatening to bring Betis back into it before Higuain struck twice more to seal the win.

Real Mallorca enjoyed a dramatic start to life under new coach Joaquin Caparros after snatching a draw against Valencia with a last-minute penalty.

Valencia looked certain to claim all three points after taking the lead through Adil Rami in the 38th minute.

But the home side refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded for their persistence in the dying moments when Mehmet Topal was penalised for handball and striker Tomer Hemed.

Granada moved above Racing into 18th spot with a goalless draw at home to Atletico Madrid, while Getafe and Villarreal continued their poor starts to the season as they played out a dire 0-0 draw, a result which left both sides still with just one league win apiece to their name in the campaign.