Highlights of Spanish Liga on matchday 19

As the Spanish Liga Santander reaches the midway point of the season, matchday 19 gave several points worth highlighting.

1) Injuries will test Madrid's resolve

Real Madrid's 2-1 win at home to Malaga came at a cost as Luka Modric and Marcelo were joined right back Dani Carvajal on the injury list. All three are likely to be out for around a month creating a big headache for Zinedine Zidane. Modric had been in fine form in recent weeks, controlling the Madrid midfield and although Mateo Kovacic has shown he can be an adequate replacement, Modric's loss will see Tony Kroos' workload increase over the coming month.

However, Zidane will be more worried by the loss of his fist choice full backs, both of whom are vital both in attack and defense. The only replacement for Carvajal is Danilio, who was booed by the home fans in last week's Cup defeat against Celta, while Fabio Coentrao, (Marcelo's natural replacement) has made just one appearance this season, with central defender Nacho preferred in the role.

The losses may not be noticed too much in a relatively benevolent league schedule, but with the Champions League around the corner, Zidane will be crossing his fingers nobody else gets hurt in the coming month.

2) Sevilla never say die

When Vicente Iborra scored a 62nd minute own goal to put his side 2-1 down away to Osasuna, it looked as if all of the good done by their 2-1 win at home to Real Madrid would be undone.

However, as they did in games against Madrid, Leganes and Alaves, Sevilla never gave up and thanks to their efforts (and a dose of fortune) fought back to win 4-3 to remain just one point off the top of the table. Without key players, Vitolo and Samir Nasri, it was a more physical Sevilla against Osasuna on a difficult playing surface, but as they have done throughout the season, they showed the adaptability and team spirit pulled them through.

3) Voro will save Valencia

Sometimes football clubs are guilty of lifting their gaze and staring off into the distance without focusing on what they have at home: that has certainly been the case of Valencia, who opted to sign Cesare Prandelli before once again turning to club delegate Voro Gonzalez to take over in the dugout. In his second temporary spell in charge Voro has led Valencia to wins at home to Espanyol and away to Villarreal, while his three game spell at the start of the campaign saw them beat Alaves and Sporting Gijon. In all 13 of Valencia's 19 points have come from the six games he has been in charge.

In Villarreal Voro's players again performed like a team, working hard and growing in confidence. This is not going to be a season to remember in Valencia, but at least it shouldn't end in tragedy.

4) What a difference a week off makes

The best game of matchday 19 was undoubtedly the clash between Athletic Club Bilbao and Atletico Madrid draw 2-2 in the San Mames Stadium. A match that saw twists in fortunes, changing tactics, great goals and a breathtaking finish as both sides went flat out for the win.

Barely eight days earlier Athletic gave a dreadful display when they drew 0-0 away to Leganes, but after being knocked out of the King's Cup by FC Barcelona, coach Ernesto Valverde had a full week to prepare for the game and the extra rest meant fresher legs and a vastly improved performance.

The current Cup schedule which sees sides that reach the semi-finals play two games a week until the middle of February stretches the resources of Barca, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid: but for sides will less cash and smaller squads it is almost impossible to maintain form in league and Cup... if you want proof, just look at the changes Celta Vigo made as they lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad. Endit