La Liga Team of the Week Round 31: Messi returns to make his 13th appearance, while Real Madrid players miss out

9 Apr 2012 09:15:00

Goal.com picks the best from Spain's top flight in the most recent round of action

La Liga

Team Of The Week:

Round 31

Table/Results

GOALKEEPER

Vicente GUAITA
Valencia
TOTW Apps: 1

Vicente Guaita was the Man of the Match between the posts for Valencia as Los Che held Real Madrid to a goalless draw at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spanish goalkeeper pulled off a number of world-class saves and denied Cristiano Ronaldo on two occasions.

DEFENDERS

TITO Rayo Vallecano TOTW Apps: 2	Adil RAMI Valencia TOTW Apps: 8	Carles PUYOL Barcelona TOTW Apps: 4	Guillherme SIQUEIRA Granada TOTW Apps: 1
Rayo Vallecano registered a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Osasuna at home, and Tito was a key figure playing from the right-back position. He provided some lovely deliveries into the box, one of which was turned home by Michu, and he also etched his name on the scoresheet. Guillherme Siqueira had yet another outstanding game at left-back for Granada, providing solid work in defence and also contributing in attack against Real Mallorca. Adil Rami and Carles Puyol were the two outstanding central defenders in La Liga this weekend - the former was rock solid for Valencia against Madrid, the latter scoring the equaliser and putting in another typically committed performance for Barcelona in their 4-1 defeat of Real Zaragoza.

MIDFIELDERS

Iker MUNIAIN
Athletic Bilbao
TOTW Apps: 4

BENAT
Real Betis
TOTW Apps: 1

MICHU
Rayo Vallecano
TOTW Apps: 3

Jose BARKERO
Levante
TOTW Apps: 3

Iker Muniain continued to star for Athletic Bilbao as the Basque giants got the better of Sevilla 1-0 at home. The Spanish teenager was involved in the patient build-up to the game’s only goal and was at the centre of his side's other attacking moves.

Benat produced a complete performance in central midfield for Real Betis in their 3-1 triumph over Villarreal, creating one goal and scoring another to cap off a dominant display. Michu was the hero in Rayo’s demolition of Osasuna with two goals and one direct assist.

Jose Barkero was the creator-in-chief in Levante’s 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid as the Valencian club sustained their dream of finishing in the top four. Barkero’s exquisite cross from the left in the first minute resulted in Valdo heading home, and his free kick nine minutes later was turned in by Arouna Kone.

FORWARDS

Lionel MESSI Barcelona TOTW Apps: 13	Carlos VELA Real Sociedad TOTW Apps: 2
Lionel Messi continues to chalk up the goals for Barcelona as he inspired the Blaugrana to a 4-1 win at Zaragoza. The 24-year-old scored twice, the second of which took his tally to 60 competitive strikes this season. Messi also set up Pedro for Barca’s fourth. Carlos Vela also netted a double, as Real Sociedad squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Espanyol. Vela’s first goal was a work of beauty when he fired in from 25 yards out after collecting a pass from Xabi Prieto. His second was equally impressive as he lobbed goalkeeper Francisco Casilla from 12 yards.
La Liga Team of the Week: Round 30 - Cristiano Ronaldo makes 13th appearance in all-Real Madrid attack