Guardiola and Emery say goodbye on night of few highs: La Liga Round-Up and Highlights

By Staff Writer
Updated: 13 May, 2012

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Pep Guardiola and Unai Emery bid farewell to Spain’s top flight on Saturday night as they lead Barcelona and Valencia out as coaches for the last time in la liga. It was a night of few highs however, as Barça could only muster a draw at Real Betis and Valencia slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.

In Seville, Barça needed a late Seydou Keita strike to earn Guardiola a 2-2 draw in his final league game in charge of the Catalan giants; after playing the final 35 minutes with 10 men. The visitors began the game strongly and took the lead in the ninth minute when Sergio Busquets headed a Xavi corner past Casto in the Betis goal. Barcelona went in at the break with a much-deserved one goal advantage and began the second half looking to extend their lead.

The home side were given a huge boost less then 10 minutes after the restart however, as Dani Alves was given his marching orders after receiving a second caution for scything down Jerrerson Montero, and Betis turned the game on its head with two quick-fire goals from Ruben Castro 20 minutes later.

The hosts looked to be heading to victory until Keita popped up to grab the leveller deep into stoppage time to salvage a point for Pepe Mel’s side.

In the night’s other game, Valencia fell to a lacklustre 1-0 loss against Real Sociedad at the Anoeta; ensuring Unai Emery tasted defeat in his final match as Valencia coach.

The game itself was a tepid affair between two teams who had little to play for, with Antoine Griezmann’s 63rd minute strike proving enough to separate the sides.

The victory secured a 12th placed finish for Philipe Montanier’s Basques; their best in la liga for nine years, while Valencia had already clinched their third consecutive third place after last week’s 4-0 victory over Osasuna at the Mestalla.

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REAL BETIS 2-2 BARCELONA

REAL SOCIEDAD 1-0 VALENCIA

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