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MADRID (AP)—David Navarro produced a performance fitting for Oscar night.

The Valencia defender elbowed Fernando Llorente in the back of the head while jumping for a ball that flew high over the pair, and then fell to ground clutching his own noggin in apparent agony.

While Llorente was eventually led to the sidelines for treatment and quickly returned to action, Navarro remained motionless before being removed on a stretcher. Seconds later, the Valencia captain was back on the field to help his team rally from a 1-0 deficit to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Sunday in the Spanish league.

“He deserves an Oscar for what he did,” Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose said Monday, referring to the American movie awards ceremony that took place Sunday night in Los Angeles. “David Navarro’s attitude is really disgusting. Football is a contact sport and you can give your opponent a blow with an elbow but if that happens you have to own up to it and not throw yourself on the ground. That’s the worst thing about it.”

Replays showed that Navarro’s head did not make contact with anyone or anything during the play, while Bilbao.

Navarro has previously served a six-month ban from all national and international matches for his part in a melee during a Champions League game in 2007. Navarro came off the bench and punched Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso from behind, breaking the Argentine player’s nose.

Llorente, who said Navarro was a dangerous player, called on Spanish officials to review the incident and impose a ban after he needed three stitches because of the incident.

“No doubt tonight they’ll give him the Oscar,” Llorente said after the match. “What a referee. Knowing how this player is and then to allow these types of things is shameful. I’m outraged.

“I’m tired of this, that no one wants to stop these types of players. He was trying to intimidate me all game because that’s the only way he knows how to play.”

TV commentators were equally critical during the broadcast.

“Navarro obviously received a tremendous shock of electricity all through his body after his elbow met (Llorente’s) head,” Canal Plus analyst Carlos Martinez said. “What David Navarro has done is very nasty.”

Navarro said he stayed down after feeling a twinge in his neck during the play.

“On the field there are a lot of hard challenges but everything stays there. I didn’t mean to hurt Llorente,” said Navarro, who clutched his forehead as he tumbled to the ground. “They saw more yellow cards than us. You should see how the legs of my teammates look.”

Agences de presses

Labels: Athletic, David, Navarros, Oscarworthy, theatrics

Jornada 24 in the Primera Division was a weekend that witnessed defences come out on top, with just seventeen goals netted in the ten league fixtures.

There simply had to be a place in our La Liga Team of the Week, however, for a goalkeeper who opted to show the shot-shy strikers how it's done. Daniel Aranzubia's 94th minute leveller for his team was a finish worthy of any forward, and represented one of the most novel moments of the round.

Barcelona, driven by maestro Xavi, eventually edged past a stubborn Athletic Bilbao side who had threatened to cause an upset, and ensured their five-point advantage at the top of the table following Real Madrid's straightforward 2-0 win over Levante.

Goal.com has selected the best eleven of the week below in a 4-4-2 formation. Disagree? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Formation: 4-4-2

Goalkeeper - Daniel Aranzubia (Deportivo)

TOTW Apps: 2

It is always worth celebrating when a 'keeper gets his name on the scoresheet, and the Galician shot-stopper produced an incredible end to the match against Almeria, leaping highest to head home a 94th minute equaliser.

Right-back - Pablo Pinillos (Racing)

TOTW Apps: 2

The veteran full-back was part of the staunch Verdiblancos back line that managed to keep Getafe at bay, but also kept his nerve in the dying moments to slot home the winning goal from the penalty spot, and ensure that coach Marcelino could enjoy two wins from two upon his return to Cantabria.

Centre-back - Ricardo Carvalho (Real Madrid)

Player Rating: 7.5 (vs Levante)
TOTW Apps: 3

The Portuguese prefers the company of Pepe alongside him in the centre of the Blancos back line, but he strolled through the ninety minutes against the Granotes in his absence. He also chipped in with a goal on the stroke of half-time that clinched the three points, and put pressure on leaders Barcelona.

Centre-back - Alberto Botia (Sporting)

TOTW Apps: 2

It's been quite a week for the former Barcelona defender; he turned in a superb performance to snatch a point from his former club last weekend, and against Valencia on Saturday he comfortably dealt with everything the home side could throw at him, on the way to a composed clean sheet.

Left-back - Luis Perea (Atletico Madrid)

TOTW Apps: 1

The Colombian can be guilty of inconsistent form and a lack of concentration at times, but he proved to be a steady influence as Atleti held out for a valuable three points. He was a towering figure in the centre of the back four, and to squeeze him into our team, we find a spot for him at left-back.

Right-midfield - Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)

Player Rating: 8 (vs Levante)
TOTW Apps: 4

The Santiago Bernabeu faithful has taken to the tricky Argentine in his debut season in Spain, and the mazy run that helped put the ball on a plate for Karim Benzema typified the skill and technique that has made the 23-year-old one of Los Blancos' players of the season.

Centre-midfield - Xavi (Barcelona)

Player Rating: 8.5 (vs Athletic Bilbao)
TOTW Apps: 5

The Blaugrana suffered from a tumultuous week, and despite the resilience shown by Athletic Bilbao, Xavi ensured that a five-point gap was maintained at the top of the table. His two glorious passes in the build-up to each goal helped unlock a disciplined Leones defence.

Centre-midfield - Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla)

TOTW Apps: 1

The former Schalke midfielder has wasted no time in settling into his new role with Los Nervionenses, and won the match with a neat finish against Hercules at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. His runs from deep are providing coach Gregorio Manzano a new dimension, and he typified his impact by combining with Luis Fabiano to good effect.

Left-Midfield - Javad Nekounam (Osasuna)

TOTW Apps: 1

The Iranian was missed by Los Rojillos during his recent spell at the Asian Cup, and he showcased his importance to the team in yesterday's thumping defeat of Espanyol. The 30-year-old scored two first half goals, handing coach Jose Luis Mendilibar a perfect start to his reign in Pamplona.

Centre-forward - Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)

TOTW Apps: 4

These days, it seems that whenever the diminutive Argentine performs, he manages to drag Atleti from mediocrity, and he netted his first goal in two months to see off the challenge of Zaragoza, as well as providing an inspirational all-round display that offered respite to coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

Centre-forward - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Player Rating: 7.5 (vs Athletic Bilbao)
TOTW Apps: 13

Most definitely a game of two halves for the Argentine, who seemed unable to control the ball in the first, but was mesmerising in the second as he caused the Basque side no end of problems, before netting what could prove to be a vital winning goal.

Did what so few defenders have managed to this season and dealt with Nani's two pronged approach of cutting inside or taking the ball down the channel with relative ease. The Cameroonian never really looked threatened at White Hart Lane, delivering a fine performance. Follow Goal.com on to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's

Agences de presses

Labels: Athletic, Barcelona, Bilbao, Goalcom, Lionel, Messi, Overcome, Round

A late Lionel Messi goal was enough to see La Liga leaders Barcelona defeat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 and return to winning ways despite a spirited performance from the Basque club.

The home team opened the scoring on four minutes through David Villa yet an Andoni Iraola penalty on 50 minutes saw Bilbao draw level. However Lionel Messi scored what was to be the winning goal on 78 minutes.

The result sees the Catalan giants regain their five point lead over rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

The home side started brightly as they have done so often this season and found themselves a goal up after four minutes. A wonderful chipped Xavi pass found Dani Alves in space on the right side of the Athletic box. The Brazilian wing-back played a neat cut-back to David Villa who made no mistake in directing the ball ball past a helpless Gorka Iraizoz from 12-yards out.

Athletic responded well to going a goal down and came close to an equaliser on 11 minutes. Star striker Fernando Llorente drifted out to the left before clipping a precise cross to Markel Susaeta whose header could only hit the side-netting.

The away team continued to repel Barcelona's constant attacks and came even closer to equalising on 37 minutes. Igor Gabilondo did brilliant to find space on the left wing before curling an inviting ball into the box. The towering Llorente powered a firm header goalwards but Jose Pinto was on hand to make a stunning low save. The former Celta Vigo 'keeper could play a pivotal role in the Catalan club's fortunes this season with the news that Victor Valdes could miss the next six weeks.

Los Leones started the second half with plenty of ambition and were level on 50 minutes after the home side gifted their opponents a soft penalty. Eric Abidal played a tame pass to Sergio Busquets in the Barcelona box but Llorente did well to get a foot to the ball with Busquets clumsily bringing down his international team-mate. With Llorente on the sidelines receiving treatment, Andoni Iraola was handed the task of converted the spot-kick which he did with ease, sending Pinto the wrong way.

The La Liga champions responded fairly well and could have re-taken the lead on 69 minutes. Xavi played a decent through ball to Villa who had the beating of Fernando Amorebieta before seeing his snapshot expertly tipped around the post by Iraizoz.

Despite not being at their best, Barcelona scored their second on 78 minutes. Xavi's wonderful pass found Alves once again on the right. The former Sevilla man drilled a low cross into the feet of Lionel Messi who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from six-yards out for the goal that gave Pep Guardiola's men all three points.

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Agences de presses

Labels: Athletic, Barcelona, Bilbao, Goalcom, Messi, rescue

ATHLETIC BILBAO

Coach: Joaquin Caparros (fourth season)

Last Result: 2-0 win at Atletico Madrid, January 30

Record: 11-8-2

Streak: Won 3

Next Match: at home to Sporting Gijon, February 05

Athletic Bilbao has won its last three Primera Division games and is now all alone in sixth spot, just six points behind fourth-placed Valencia. Last weekend’s 2-0 win at Atletico Madrid was impressive, but Athletic now faces a totally different challenge on Saturday. A rejuvenated Sporting Gijon visits San Mames, with the game likely to be an intense derby affair between the two northern outfits. Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora is fit again, but Fernando Amorebieta remains sidelined, along with Ibai Gomez and Jon Aurtenetxe. Borja Ekiza is doubtful. “We’ve been able to win our last three games, but Sporting is a rival that knows us well and the club is in its best moment of its season,” midfielder Carlos Gurpegi said. Athletic has signed Zaragoza midfielder Ander Herrera, but the player will remain at the Aragonese outfit until the end of the campaign.

Agences de presses

Labels: Athletic, Bilbao, Report