MADRID, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The second half of Spain's 2018/19 La Liga season opened at the weekend with Barcelona working hard for a win, and Real Madrid taking advantage of a flat Sevilla side to claim an important three points. Here are a few things we learned over the past two days.
1. Early start taking its toll on Sevilla?
It has already been a long season for Sevilla, who had to play in three Europa League qualifying rounds and have also reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.
Their early European adventures helped them get their La Liga season off to a good start, but though coach Pablo Machin has rotated his squad well, Los Nervionenses look to be suffering for having played 36 matches already this season.
Last week saw them lose twice to Athletic Bilbao, and on Saturday they looked tired against a Real Madrid side struggling for form.
Sevilla now face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals in a match that will only exacerbate their fatigue.
2. "Come back Iago", Celta cry
Celta Vigo are dropping like a stone towards the relegation zone, with four consecutive defeats leaving them just one point above Rayo Vallecano, who, by contrast, have taken ten points from their last 12 available.
It's hard to believe that a squad blessed with attackers such as Iago Aspas, Maxi Gomez and Brais Mendez are in danger of relegation, but Aspas has been missing since getting injured against Barcelona on 22 December, and Celta's slide has coincided with his absence.
Next weekend sees Celta travel to play Real Valladolid, another side on a downward curve and Los Celestes need Aspas' pace, talent and goals as soon as possible.
3. Carry on Getafe
Friday night saw Getafe entertain Alaves in what many expected to be a close game. It turned out to be anything but, as Jaime Mata and Jorge Molina both scored twice in a 4-0 rout for the home side.
Getafe coach Pepe Bordalas will have enjoyed the win against his former club, but more than anything he will have been delighted to see another complete display from his players, who gave nothing away in defense or midfield and took their chances in attack.
Bordalas has done a fine job in organizing his side, and with forwards such as Mata, Angel Rodriguez and the veteran Molina, he has three players who could carry them to Europe next season.
4. VAR still needs work
Last week saw a press conference by the referees in charge of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, in which they congratulated themselves for how well the system has worked since its introduction in Spain.
Perhaps Technical Committee head Velasco Carballo spoke too soon, as this weekend saw three more controversial VAR-sanctioned decisions, as Luis Suarez got away with possible dangerous play to score Barcelona's second goal against Leganes, Athletic Bilbao had a legal goal ruled out against Villarreal for offside when the VAR showed there was none, and Villarreal scored their equalizing goal with a move which started with a clear handball.
There is, it seems, still room for improvement.
