Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Few Bad Days Is More Like It

Raul Albiol probably wants to bury his head under a pillow for a bit.

The Valencia central defender has hit rough patch here in the middle of February. First, he was credited with an own goal against Malaga on Saturday, allowing the home side to earn a 1-1 draw against a Valencia team now well within their sights on the table (just two points back). Not good when a true six pointer becomes a push.

But hey, it happens to the best of defenders. And to John Arne Riise.

Unfortunately for Albiol, it has happened twice to him, and in successive matches. In today's UEFA Cup match against Dinamo Kiev, Albiol netted a 63rd minute own goal so that the Ukrainians could level at 1 in their home leg. Video here. Although 101 Great Goals has it credited to Artem Milevskiy, the official score sheet has it as an own goal for Albiol. Milevskiy did get red carded in the 72nd but the Spanish side was unable to push another across, obviously.

Poor Albiol, perhaps he and the Dweez can commiserate.

4 comments:

EbullientFatalist said...

"Albiol" you need to lose the game.

UF, you may revoke my commenting rights.

Sarah said...

Took me a little while to get that one, Andrew.

The whole Valencia defense is pretty shocking at the moment. But poor Albiol, that second goal didn't even look like an OG.

jjf3 said...

Watching a replay of MU-FFC, and "untouchable" might be an understatement by Voyeur. Wow. I realize FFC can't attack on the road worth crap, but usually their defense is there, and MU looks completely unconcerned by Fulham, if not bored, to be honest. That said, is Bobby Zamora actually ultimately an even worse EPL striker than Emile Mpenza? At least Emile never even created a chance, whereas Zamora finishes glorious chances like someone who's a 60-yo virgin...

jjf3 said...

66 minutes into the game. Sorry, make that "dead 110-yo virgin"...