How the month of September went in the Liga BBVA

Highlights

An historic side in Spanish football, RC Deportivo returned to the Liga BBVA this season. In August, they failed to obtain any wins, but they did get three points on matchday three in September. The Galicians won 0-1 against another recently promoted side, el SD Eibar at Ipurúa thanks to a goal from Juan Domínguez.

Defenders started to emerge as key figures in many sides throughout the month. Of the four matchdays in September, there was only one that did not have a 0-0 result. There were five goalless games throughout September, among which theMálaga CF 0-0 FC Barcelona game stands out.

Also, FC Barcelona had a phenomenal month in September, as they did not concede a single goal, thus demonstrating their defensive reliability. Barcelona took 10 of 12 possible points, and scored 13 goals in just four games.  

Star of the month

September’s star turn was Manuel Agudo 'Nolito'. RC Celta’s good start to the campaign was in no small measure down to the terrific form shown by the 28-year-old, and he had a big hand in los celestes finishing the month in sixth place with 12 points, scoring three goals in four games and having a huge impact on the Vigo outfit’s all-round play.

Best coach

In September, Valencia CF enjoyed outstanding results that spoke volumes for the work done by their coach, Nuno Espírito Santo. In a little over a month, the Portuguese boss earned the respect and affection of the Mestalla crowd, piloting los ché to second place and a total of 14 points at the close of a September in which they were unbeaten over the four matchdays played and won 10 points.

Best goal

Javier Hernández 'Chicharito' was the scorer of the goal of the month. The Mexican, who found opportunities to shine few and far between in September, more than made the most of the minutes he was given. The strike, Hernández’s first ever goal in the Liga BBVA, made it 2-7 to Real Madrid against RC Deportivo at Riazor, ‘Chicharito’ firing the ball into the top corner with a terrific left-footed effort to earn himself this accolade. 

Outstanding team

Valencia CF showed some authority in September. The Valencia side went top of the table on matchday five, taking advantage of FC Barcelona’s draw in Málaga to draw level with them on points and overtake them on goal difference. Three wins and a draw (1-1 against Real Sociedad on matchday 6) were Valencia’s results this month, with ten goals for and just two against.  

Strange fact

The RC Deportivo 2-8 Real Madrid game that took place on matchday 4 was the game with the most goals in the entire season, equal with the Real Madrid 9-1 Granada CF and the Real Madrid 7-3 Getafe CF. The Whites went in at half time with a 0-3 lead, but after the restart Haris Medunjanin reduced the deficit. In order not to get an unpleasant shock of not winning the game, the Madrid side crushed the Galicians over the next few minutes with two goals from Gareth Bale and one more from Cristiano Ronaldo. José Verdú 'Toché' scored again for Deportivo and Javier Hernández 'Chicharito' finished the thrashing with a brace.

Surprise Player

Paco Alcácer, the Valencia CF forward, was one of the most outstanding players in September. The Valencia forward sent his side top of the table on matchday five, dethroning FC Barcelona due to goal difference. Alcácer contributed three goals to his side in September, one in each of Valencia’s three wins of the month and his performances were enough to earn him a call up to the Spanish national squad.

Latin America also stands out in the Liga BBVA

Neymar was one of the top performing players in September. The Brazilian managed to score six goals for FC Barcelona in just four games, giving the first indication that his performance level was going to be better than in his debut year with the azulgrana side. The player from Rio de Janeiro scored a 'hat-trick' in the 6-0 win against Granada CF, as well as a brace against Athletic Club and another goal against Levante UD.