The highs, lows, and highlights of La Liga: The second sacking and a swift journey through Galicia

A round-up of some of La Liga’s most intriguing storylines across the week, traversing through the good, the bad and something beautiful.

The Good

It is hard to believe that Espanyol, the same side that were hanging onto survival by Joan Garcia’s fingertips, look like one of the smartest outfits in Spain currently. If it has escaped your notice, former manager Manolo Gonzalez was once a bus driver, and the speed at which he is transforming the team should be headline news.

Los Pericos are the second side to keep a clean sheet against Celta Vigo this season, and only the third to secure three points at Balaidos, alongside Barcelona and Getafe, with the latter sharing in both of Espanyol’s remarkable achievements. As keen La Liga observers know, and as Elche discovered last week, anyone can fall victim to Getafe. Espanyol is now firmly in the European conversation, level on points with Real Betis and maintaining a four-point cushion over Getafe and Athletic Club.

For ball-playing midfielders, Gonzalez can rely on Urko Gonzalez, Ramon Terrats, or Edu Exposito, who is known for arguably the finest set-piece delivery in La Liga. Tyrhys Dolan, Carlos Romero, and Roberto Fernandez are hungry to exploit any spaces available, adding to a voracious team spirit. Craft comes from Pere Milla, playing with the confidence of the best player on the pitch. Kike Garcia and Leandro Cabrera bring veteran savvy to the mix, embodying the grit appreciated by the supporters.

The Bad

In Asturias, frustration erupted at the Real Oviedo board following the sacking of Veljko Paunovic, the hero of their long-awaited promotion, with many feeling it was premature. Paunovic was the first managerial casualty of the season, followed this week by Julian Calero, whose departure was met with a subdued silence at Levante — a respectful but uneventful response.

Calero's rise through the ranks to La Liga was notable, and he earned goodwill from fans after transforming the team. A respected figure, he was involved in the response to the 2005 terrorist attacks in Madrid. After being heralded as the ‘man who rescued Levante from depression,’ few were advocating for him to lead them through their current struggles.

Image via Rafa Babot/Getty Images

The former assistant to Julen Lopetegui struggled to instill the defensive resilience his predecessor was known for at Sevilla, as Los Granotas now hold the joint-worst record in the league, having conceded 26 goals in 14 matches. Levante has lost five of their last six fixtures, with both of their victories coming against teams also struggling to survive: Girona and Real Oviedo. During their 2-0 defeat to Athletic Club, Calero’s tactics left both players and fans bewildered, signaling a manager running out of strategic options.

The looming challenge for Levante is finding a way forward. Players like Unai Vencedor, Jon Olasagasti, and Manu Sanchez have the potential to meet La Liga demands but currently serve as secondary options. Meanwhile, Karl Etta Eyong, their standout performer, faces a call-up for the African Cup of Nations in less than two weeks. Football, as Jorge Valdano frequently reminds, is also a mental game, but keeping Levante up may prove a tough task for any new manager.

The Beautiful

The Seville derby delivered its share of chaos, with fans expressing their frustration by throwing objects onto the pitch during their team’s decline against Real Betis. Sevilla manager Matias Almeyda criticized Betis players for celebrating amid the unrest, suggesting that the episode of plastic bottles being thrown was a non-issue, a view that raised eyebrows given his past at La Bombonera.

Pablo Fornals brought the magic back to the football match, emerging as a highlight amid the absences of Isco, Giovani Lo Celso, and Antony. Fornals showcased his talent at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, deftly stealing the ball from Baptiste Mendy and leaving defenders in his wake before firing a low shot into the net after maneuvering through the defense.

In just 11 seconds, he demonstrated grit, determination, and precision, breaking through Sevilla’s defense. For Beticos concerned about missing their star players during the derby, Fornals solidified his case for becoming a key player on the pitch.