Goalkeepers are going down
like flies! The two Sevilla based keepers Palop and Ricardo are both likely to
miss the big derby match at the beginning of January after picking up injuries
this week. De Sanctis came on for Palop late on against Murcia at the weekend
and should be a reliable replacement, but Betis have a more serious problem as
second choice Doblas is also injured. B team keeper Casto has been drafted into
the squad with immediate effect.
Ricardo was one of seven
keepers to maintain a clean sheet on a low scoring weekend, in which 23 goals
were scored in all. Ricardo's namesake at Osasuna recovered from his knock the
week before to play in the midweek rescheduled match against Sevilla, and
played again at the weekend in a 0-0 draw against Cañizares's Valencia.
But Leo Franco will be missing for some time, Abbiati stepping in for him in
Atlético's 1-0 victory over neighbours Getafe, who ended with full back
Contra in goal after Abbondanzieri was sent off.
No such problems though for
Casillas, who was on top form again as Real Madrid won 0-1 at Athletic Bilbao.
Elsewhere there were clean sheets for Cobeño, who came back into the
Almería side after missing the last match against Sevilla for
contractual reasons, and for Sorrentino, who's team Recreativo won 0-2 at
struggling Levante. One other change as well, Munúa getting the nod at
Deportivo ahead of Dudu Aouate in an attempt by Lotina to change their
fortunes. (10.12.07) |