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La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 19
The La Liga season reached it's half-way point at the weekend, and Goal.com looks at the best eleven performers from another exciting round of matches...
19-Jan-2009 10:38:03 PM
Barcelona maintained their lead at the top of La Liga at the weekend with a crushing 5-0 defeat of Deportivo La Coruña, whilst Real Madrid and Sevilla ground out hard fought wins to cling on their coattails.
Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao continued their good recent form by stunning Valencia, and Málaga thrashed Espanyol to move level on points with Atlético Madrid, who drew with Almería.
Down at the bottom there was an important win for Recreativo Huelva, and Real Betis got back to winning ways by beating Valladolid away from home.
Goal.com looks at the best eleven players from the weekend, and also those who didn't quite make it.
Formation: 3-4-3
GOALKEEPER
Diego Alves (Almería)
Almería battled hard to pick up a point against Atlético Madrid but were it not for a decent display from Alves, they would have got nothing. Denied both Forlán and Agüero with one-on-one saves and, aside from the goal, he looked confident in his box.
DEFENDERS
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Yet again the Barcelona man was superb for his side, bursting up and down the wing all night and causing defenders all kinds of trouble. Stuck some great balls into the box, one of which Henry scored from, and his awareness and passing was brilliant.
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid might owe their victory over Osasuna to the referee but they were also grateful for the strength of Pepe at the back. The central defender looked strong both in the air and on the ground and, even though he should have conceded a penalty late on, he put in another good display.
Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)
The first goal at El Madrigal was always going to be key this weekend and Capdevila made sure that the home fans did not have to wait too long for it as he headed home from a corner early on. Did his defending well all evening and got forward on plenty of occasions to supply the crosses for the forwards.
MIDFIELDERS
Juan Mata (Valencia)
Might have been on the losing side but he will be pleased with his performance as he was an integral player for Valencia. Created the first goal with a beautiful ball over the top for Villa and then set up Joaquín for a chance later on when he hit the bar. Probably should have scored himself when he blasted over from close range but, nevertheless, it was a good display.
Seydou Keita (Barcelona)
Amongst all the talent in the Barcelona midfield, Keita was the best on Saturday evening as he drove forward with the ball and pressed the Deportivo players all night. Had some good chances to get on the score sheet himself but will be pleased with a dominant display in the centre of the park.
Sisi (Recreativo Huelva)
Recreativo Huelva made light work of Sporting Gijón on Sunday and Sisi was at the heart of most things good going forward. Carried the ball with pace and, even though he did not score, he picked out some great passes and tested the 'keeper on a few occasions.
Adrían (Málaga)
Málaga were in terrific form as they smashed Espanyol on Sunday and Adrían was one of the key players for the island side. Clinical finish for the first goal, then won the penalty that created the second goal, then continued to pass the ball well and link-up with the other forwards.
FORWARDS
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
He might have started this season off slowly but Henry has been in great form lately and at the weekend he notched another two goals to take his tally to eleven. Scored the first with a pinpoint header and the second with a tap-in, could easily have had more had the defenders not closed him down quickly on some occasions.
Sergio Garcia (Real Betis)
Hasn't been in great form since joining Real Betis but they desperately needed to win at the weekend and he delivered the goods on two occasions. Even though the Valladolid defence was poor he had to finish his chances and he did so well. The first was a lovely chip over the 'keeper from inside the box and the second a lob from distance over the onrushing goalkeeper. Also set up the first goal in a fine all-round display.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Messi might have finished second in the FIFA World Player this year but if he keeps this form up there is no doubt where he will finish next season. Showed his class with a wonderful goal against Deportivo that started near the half-way line, and looked a threat all evening at the Camp Nou.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Javi Varas (Sevilla)
César (Racing Santander)
Igor Gabilondo (Athletic Bilbao)
Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)
Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao continued their good recent form by stunning Valencia, and Málaga thrashed Espanyol to move level on points with Atlético Madrid, who drew with Almería.
Down at the bottom there was an important win for Recreativo Huelva, and Real Betis got back to winning ways by beating Valladolid away from home.
Goal.com looks at the best eleven players from the weekend, and also those who didn't quite make it.
Formation: 3-4-3
GOALKEEPER
Diego Alves (Almería)
Almería battled hard to pick up a point against Atlético Madrid but were it not for a decent display from Alves, they would have got nothing. Denied both Forlán and Agüero with one-on-one saves and, aside from the goal, he looked confident in his box.
DEFENDERS
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Yet again the Barcelona man was superb for his side, bursting up and down the wing all night and causing defenders all kinds of trouble. Stuck some great balls into the box, one of which Henry scored from, and his awareness and passing was brilliant.
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid might owe their victory over Osasuna to the referee but they were also grateful for the strength of Pepe at the back. The central defender looked strong both in the air and on the ground and, even though he should have conceded a penalty late on, he put in another good display.
Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)
The first goal at El Madrigal was always going to be key this weekend and Capdevila made sure that the home fans did not have to wait too long for it as he headed home from a corner early on. Did his defending well all evening and got forward on plenty of occasions to supply the crosses for the forwards.
MIDFIELDERS
Juan Mata (Valencia)
Might have been on the losing side but he will be pleased with his performance as he was an integral player for Valencia. Created the first goal with a beautiful ball over the top for Villa and then set up Joaquín for a chance later on when he hit the bar. Probably should have scored himself when he blasted over from close range but, nevertheless, it was a good display.
Seydou Keita (Barcelona)
Amongst all the talent in the Barcelona midfield, Keita was the best on Saturday evening as he drove forward with the ball and pressed the Deportivo players all night. Had some good chances to get on the score sheet himself but will be pleased with a dominant display in the centre of the park.
Sisi (Recreativo Huelva)
Recreativo Huelva made light work of Sporting Gijón on Sunday and Sisi was at the heart of most things good going forward. Carried the ball with pace and, even though he did not score, he picked out some great passes and tested the 'keeper on a few occasions.
Adrían (Málaga)
Málaga were in terrific form as they smashed Espanyol on Sunday and Adrían was one of the key players for the island side. Clinical finish for the first goal, then won the penalty that created the second goal, then continued to pass the ball well and link-up with the other forwards.
FORWARDS
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
He might have started this season off slowly but Henry has been in great form lately and at the weekend he notched another two goals to take his tally to eleven. Scored the first with a pinpoint header and the second with a tap-in, could easily have had more had the defenders not closed him down quickly on some occasions.
Sergio Garcia (Real Betis)
Hasn't been in great form since joining Real Betis but they desperately needed to win at the weekend and he delivered the goods on two occasions. Even though the Valladolid defence was poor he had to finish his chances and he did so well. The first was a lovely chip over the 'keeper from inside the box and the second a lob from distance over the onrushing goalkeeper. Also set up the first goal in a fine all-round display.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Messi might have finished second in the FIFA World Player this year but if he keeps this form up there is no doubt where he will finish next season. Showed his class with a wonderful goal against Deportivo that started near the half-way line, and looked a threat all evening at the Camp Nou.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Javi Varas (Sevilla)
César (Racing Santander)
Igor Gabilondo (Athletic Bilbao)
Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)
Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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