La Liga Team of the Week: Benzema, Xabi Alonso & Di Maria inspire Madrid back into form

25-Sep-2012 4:30:00 PM

Goal.com is on hand to look at the standout performers on matchday 5 of La Liga, as Barcelona narrowly won against Granada, and Real returned to winning ways

The fifth round of Liga action saw Barcelona secure victory with only three minutes of normal time remaining, thanks to stout rearguard action by Granada, and in particular the heroics of Tono in goal. Although he was beaten twice late in the game, many players remarked afterwards on how he had almost helped El Grana to an unlikely point at Camp Nou.

Further outstanding defensive performances over the weekend came from the goal-scoring Diego Godin, as Atletico Madrid made it three wins on the bounce, and Betis' centre-backs Mario Alvarez and Paulao, with the latter climbing high to head in the match-winning goal from a free-kick as the Verdiblancos kept a clean sheet at home against Espanyol, helping them to climb to sixth in the league.

In midfield, the exciting wing-play of Denmark international Michael Krohn-Dehli, which saw him set up both goals in Celta Vigo's 2-1 victory over Getafe, sealed his nomination. Meanwhile, the sure promptings, leadership and physical play of Xabi Alonso against Rayo Vallecano have seen him make the team.

Jose Mari, similarly, laid the platform in midfield for his team-mates to profit for Zaragoza on Saturday, while attacking midfielder David Zurutuza's goal and all-round display also caught our eye, but was not enough to stop Real Sociedad sliding to defeat at Levante.

Karim Benzema scored the crucial opening goal as Real Madrid returned to victorious ways, and he was ably assisted by Angel Di Maria, whose fine cross meant that the Frenchman could hardly miss. The final place in our team goes to powerful Nigerian frontman Obafemi Martins, who smashed in a late winning goal on his debut for Levante after coming on at half-time.

TONO

GRANADA

vs Barcelona (A)

Rating:

MARIO	GODIN	PAULAO

BETIS	ATLETICO	BETIS
vs Espanyol (H)	vs Valladolid (H)	vs Espanyol (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:

KROHN-DEHLI	XABI ALONSO	JOSE MARI

CELTA	REAL MADRID	ZARAGOZA
vs Getafe (H)	vs Rayo Vallecano (A)	vs Osasuna (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:

ZURUTUZA

REAL SOCIEDAD

vs Levante (A)

Rating:

DI MARIA	BENZEMA	MARTINS

REAL MADRID	REAL MADRID	LEVANTE
vs Rayo Vallecano (A)	vs Rayo Vallecano (A)	vs Real Sociedad (A)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating: