How the month of October went in the Liga BBVA

October’s action in the 2014/15 Liga BBVA season got underway with Getafe CF versus Córdoba CF on the 3rd of the month. Only three matchdays were played, bringing some stand-out performances both individually and collectively.

Highlights

On an individual level, it fell to Diego Alves to provide one of the high points. The Valencia CF goalkeeper shone in his team’s opening game of the month against Atlético Madrid, saving the first of the four penalties that he kept out during the season.

On matchday nine, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona came face to face for the first time in the season. The encounter saw Madrid come from behind to win, Neymar putting the Catalans ahead before goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema for los blancos. The match also brought two firsts: FC Barcelona conceded their maiden goal of the campaign, and fell to their opening defeat.

One of October’s most memorable clashes was SD Eibar’s fixture against Levante UD on matchday seven. In a game that finished 3-3 and was the highest-scoring affair of the entire month, los armeros came back from 0-2 down to level, before again pegging Levante back in time added on thanks to a goal from Federico Piovaccari.

Star of the month

The month delivered some outstanding individual contributions, such as that of Karim Benzema, who found the net three times over the period. The Frenchman hit a brace in Real Madrid’s 5-0victory over Athletic Club, followed by another goal in the 3-1 triumph against FC Barcelona. His mobility in attack was key towards Madrid winning every game in October, and he was named Liga BBVA player of the month.

Best coach

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti received the BBVA Award for coach of the month. The Italian oversaw a clean sweep of victories for Madrid in October, with 13 goals for and just one against in the side’s three matches.

Best goal

The goal of the month came courtesy of Saúl Berjónof SD Eibar, in the Basque outfit’s match-up with Levante UD. The midfielder connected with a perfectly-struck volley from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner of los levantinistas’ net.  

Outstanding team

The month saw several sides put together winning runs. One was Sevilla FC, who beat RCD Deportivo, Elche CF and Villarreal CF. Another two clubs who made it three victories out of three were Real Madrid and Málaga CF. The men from the capital saw off Athletic Club, Levante UD and FC Barcelona, while the Andalusians managed likewise with Granada CF, Córdoba CF and Rayo Vallecano.

Strange fact

October brought the unusual occurrence of a team registering two 5-0 wins on the trot. Real Madrid were the outfit in question, inflicting this result on Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu and Levante UD away on matchdays seven and eight. Los blancos then closed out a goal-laden month with a further three against FC Barcelona.

Revelation

Málaga CF were among the sides to enjoy the best records during the month, a fact that was in no small part down to Samuel García. The young winger started to stand out in October, demonstrating his talent and capping his good performances with two goals. One came against Córdoba CF in a 1-2 victory, while the other opened the scoring in a 4-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano.

Latin America also stands out in the Liga BBVA

There can be no doubt that October included a star turn from the Americas, with Colombian Carlos Bacca enjoying a sparkling month. The striker scored in all three of Sevilla FC’s matches, consolidating his good start to the season and helping Unai Emery’s men to take the three points in each of their games.