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La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 25
Barcelona were shocked in a classic at the Calderon, Real Madrid closed the gap to four points, Villarreal surrendered a two goal lead and Valencia lost at home yet again as La Primera reached round 25...
02-Mar-2009 10:11:29 PM
Goals were the order of the day in Spain this weekend and to reflect that the Team Of The Week has an attacking 3-3-4 formation, with most of the strikers coming from the enthralling clash at the Vicente Calderon...
Formation: 3-3-4
GOALKEEPER
Inaki Lafuente (Sporting Gijon)
Sporting Gijon might have lost on Sunday but it could have been a lot worse were it not for Lafuente, who made some brilliant saves between the sticks. The goalkeeper denied Aduriz on a few occasions and also kept out other efforts, including a last-minute shot by Keita.
DEFENDERS
Nasief Morris (Recreativo Huelva)
Playing against an attacking Malaga side was always going to be tough for Recre but at the back Morris put in a great stint to help his side pick up a win. The on-loan defender looked strong, closing down the ball whenever he could, and also helped out the midfield too.
David Navarro (Real Mallorca)
Rarely has a Mallorca defender graced this team this season but Navarro put in a great performance at the weekend and ensured his team picked up a priceless win over Sporting Gijon. His strength in the air and composure with the ball meant that the home team rarely got close to goal.
Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna)
Fresh from their UEFA Cup humiliation Depor needed a good result this weekend and they got it thanks to a strong rear-guard performance. Filipe and his colleagues ensured that Numancia never really got near to goal and the defender closed down the home side well all match.
MIDFIELDERS
Jonathan Sesma (Valladolid)
Has been in this side plenty of times this season and if he keeps putting in displays like he did against Valencia he will be in it many more too. His goal might not have been spectacular but he gave the home defence a torrid time all evening and crossed the dangerous ball that Raul Albiol knocked into his own net.
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)
Another solid and commanding display from the former Arsenal midfielder who controlled proceedings against Espanyol on Saturday. He goes about his work quietly and effectively and he really is becoming a key player for the defending Primera champions.
Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)
Has not been in the best of form this season but against Betis he was just brilliant and scored two goals of the highest quality. The first was a lovely drilled effort into the far corner from outside the box and the second showed his quick feet as he beat Ricardo after a nice flowing move, unlucky not to be on the winning side.
FORWARDS
Freddy Kanoute (Sevilla)
There is surely not greater praise that you can give Kanoute than the fact that without him Sevilla would not have won on Saturday, in fact they probably would have picked up nothing from San Mames. The striker was a constant thorn to the Basque defence and his two goals were just top-class, both of them illustrating his wonderful first touch and finishing ability.
Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid)
The striker might well have missed an absolute sitter against Barcelona but he scored two goals that led Atletico to a famous win, and the first was just brilliant. Just when the home side looked to be staring defeat in the face his 25 yard shot that flew over Valdes dragged them back into it and the Uruguayan never stopped running all game.
Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
Whilst Aguero might have lost out to Messi at the Camp Nou earlier this season there is no doubt that he beat his friend on Sunday and also secured a massive win for Atletico Madrid. Whilst he was not a threat all match his two goals were absolute vital and the composure that he showed to score with a minute left was illustrative of his talent.
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
Just when Barcelona were under the kosh at the Vicente Calderon Thierry Henry popped up with a moment of brilliance to spark some hope and life into them. His 25 yard lob-cum-shot was just what his team needed and whilst his second was a simple goal he was the best performer for Barcelona on Sunday evening.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Diego Alves (Almeria)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Ivan De La Pena (Espanyol)
Adrian Colunga (Recreativo Huelva)
Alvaro Negredo (Almeria)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Formation: 3-3-4
GOALKEEPER
Inaki Lafuente (Sporting Gijon)
Sporting Gijon might have lost on Sunday but it could have been a lot worse were it not for Lafuente, who made some brilliant saves between the sticks. The goalkeeper denied Aduriz on a few occasions and also kept out other efforts, including a last-minute shot by Keita.
DEFENDERS
Nasief Morris (Recreativo Huelva)
Playing against an attacking Malaga side was always going to be tough for Recre but at the back Morris put in a great stint to help his side pick up a win. The on-loan defender looked strong, closing down the ball whenever he could, and also helped out the midfield too.
David Navarro (Real Mallorca)
Rarely has a Mallorca defender graced this team this season but Navarro put in a great performance at the weekend and ensured his team picked up a priceless win over Sporting Gijon. His strength in the air and composure with the ball meant that the home team rarely got close to goal.
Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna)
Fresh from their UEFA Cup humiliation Depor needed a good result this weekend and they got it thanks to a strong rear-guard performance. Filipe and his colleagues ensured that Numancia never really got near to goal and the defender closed down the home side well all match.
MIDFIELDERS
Jonathan Sesma (Valladolid)
Has been in this side plenty of times this season and if he keeps putting in displays like he did against Valencia he will be in it many more too. His goal might not have been spectacular but he gave the home defence a torrid time all evening and crossed the dangerous ball that Raul Albiol knocked into his own net.
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)
Another solid and commanding display from the former Arsenal midfielder who controlled proceedings against Espanyol on Saturday. He goes about his work quietly and effectively and he really is becoming a key player for the defending Primera champions.
Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)
Has not been in the best of form this season but against Betis he was just brilliant and scored two goals of the highest quality. The first was a lovely drilled effort into the far corner from outside the box and the second showed his quick feet as he beat Ricardo after a nice flowing move, unlucky not to be on the winning side.
FORWARDS
Freddy Kanoute (Sevilla)
There is surely not greater praise that you can give Kanoute than the fact that without him Sevilla would not have won on Saturday, in fact they probably would have picked up nothing from San Mames. The striker was a constant thorn to the Basque defence and his two goals were just top-class, both of them illustrating his wonderful first touch and finishing ability.
Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid)
The striker might well have missed an absolute sitter against Barcelona but he scored two goals that led Atletico to a famous win, and the first was just brilliant. Just when the home side looked to be staring defeat in the face his 25 yard shot that flew over Valdes dragged them back into it and the Uruguayan never stopped running all game.
Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
Whilst Aguero might have lost out to Messi at the Camp Nou earlier this season there is no doubt that he beat his friend on Sunday and also secured a massive win for Atletico Madrid. Whilst he was not a threat all match his two goals were absolute vital and the composure that he showed to score with a minute left was illustrative of his talent.
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
Just when Barcelona were under the kosh at the Vicente Calderon Thierry Henry popped up with a moment of brilliance to spark some hope and life into them. His 25 yard lob-cum-shot was just what his team needed and whilst his second was a simple goal he was the best performer for Barcelona on Sunday evening.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Diego Alves (Almeria)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Ivan De La Pena (Espanyol)
Adrian Colunga (Recreativo Huelva)
Alvaro Negredo (Almeria)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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