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La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 24
There were plenty of shocks in the Primera Division on Matchday 24 and Goal.com picks out the eleven best players from the weekend...
23-Feb-2009 10:53:37 PM
Formation: 3-4-3
GOALKEEPER
Tono (Racing Santander)
His side might have eventually lost to Real Mallorca at the weekend but Tono was brilliant throughout the game and very nearly grabbed a point for Racing. The 'keeper made a number of good saves during the 90 minutes and even saved a late penalty, but unfortunately the rebound was tapped in to give Mallorca the win.
DEFENDERS
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Real Betis might have been hopeless on Saturday evening but part of that was thanks to the effectiveness of the Real Madrid defence, who worked tirelessly all evening. Ramos burst up and down the wing all match, making some great tackles at the back, and even got himself on the score sheet with a diving header.
Nico Pareja (Espanyol)
Keeping Samuel Eto'o under wraps is never an easy task but Pareja did it brilliantly on Saturday evening as Espanyol picked up a superb win against Barcelona. The defender was strong, uncompromising and never let the Cameroonian striker turn and run at the defence, great performance.
Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)
Has been having a quiet year with Villarreal so far but on Saturday he helped his side pick up a vital win with a goal and also a solid defensive display. His header might not have been anything special but it was a crucial goal for his team and he was one of the better players at El Madrigal.
MIDFIELDERS
Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
Yet again, Navas was the main man for Sevilla at the weekend, but this time it was him finding the back of the net, not assisting someone else. Nevertheless, he still worked just as hard as always and was the best player for the home team by some way against Atletico Madrid.
Ivan de la Pena (Espanyol)
Almost undoubtedly the player of the weekend; De La Pena was superb for Espanyol on Saturday evening and scored the two goals that grabbed them a priceless victory. The Little Buddha has been out of the team recently and he showed just what his side have missed as he created chances from midfield and scored a wondeful second goal with a lob over Valdes.
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)
Held the midfield together against Real Betis on Saturday evening and most of the play came through him in the centre of the pitch. His touch and awareness is improving every match and he will be crucial for the rest of this season for Madrid.
Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna)
It was absolutely vital that Osasuna beat Numancia at the weekend and Plasil got them off to a perfect start with a well taken goal after less than five minutes. The Czech then proceeded to cause havoc for the opposition defence all match and was the bright spark for the Pamplona side.
FORWARDS
Raul (Real Madrid)
Scored two goals of the highest quality at the weekend and they were very different goals too. The first was just pure instinct as the Spaniard curled in a gorgeous first time shot from the edge of the box and the second was an inspirational lob over Ricardo from a tight angle. Also helped out his team with an assist and worked hard up front.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid)
The Dutch striker looks to be finally finding his feet at Madrid and on Saturday he got on the score sheet twice to make it three goals in two matches. Neither of the goals were particularly special but the fact he is getting in the right place at the right time shows he is starting to fit into this side.
Albert Luque (Malaga)
The former Newcastle man put in a brilliant display against Valladolid at the weekend to help his side move even further up the table. The opening goal he scored with the outside of his boot was superb and he could have had more goals had it not been for some good saves from Villar.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Roberto (Osasuna)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Fazio (Sevilla)
Apono (Malaga)
Jose Jurado (Real Mallorca)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
GOALKEEPER
Tono (Racing Santander)
His side might have eventually lost to Real Mallorca at the weekend but Tono was brilliant throughout the game and very nearly grabbed a point for Racing. The 'keeper made a number of good saves during the 90 minutes and even saved a late penalty, but unfortunately the rebound was tapped in to give Mallorca the win.
DEFENDERS
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Real Betis might have been hopeless on Saturday evening but part of that was thanks to the effectiveness of the Real Madrid defence, who worked tirelessly all evening. Ramos burst up and down the wing all match, making some great tackles at the back, and even got himself on the score sheet with a diving header.
Nico Pareja (Espanyol)
Keeping Samuel Eto'o under wraps is never an easy task but Pareja did it brilliantly on Saturday evening as Espanyol picked up a superb win against Barcelona. The defender was strong, uncompromising and never let the Cameroonian striker turn and run at the defence, great performance.
Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)
Has been having a quiet year with Villarreal so far but on Saturday he helped his side pick up a vital win with a goal and also a solid defensive display. His header might not have been anything special but it was a crucial goal for his team and he was one of the better players at El Madrigal.
MIDFIELDERS
Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
Yet again, Navas was the main man for Sevilla at the weekend, but this time it was him finding the back of the net, not assisting someone else. Nevertheless, he still worked just as hard as always and was the best player for the home team by some way against Atletico Madrid.
Ivan de la Pena (Espanyol)
Almost undoubtedly the player of the weekend; De La Pena was superb for Espanyol on Saturday evening and scored the two goals that grabbed them a priceless victory. The Little Buddha has been out of the team recently and he showed just what his side have missed as he created chances from midfield and scored a wondeful second goal with a lob over Valdes.
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)
Held the midfield together against Real Betis on Saturday evening and most of the play came through him in the centre of the pitch. His touch and awareness is improving every match and he will be crucial for the rest of this season for Madrid.
Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna)
It was absolutely vital that Osasuna beat Numancia at the weekend and Plasil got them off to a perfect start with a well taken goal after less than five minutes. The Czech then proceeded to cause havoc for the opposition defence all match and was the bright spark for the Pamplona side.
FORWARDS
Raul (Real Madrid)
Scored two goals of the highest quality at the weekend and they were very different goals too. The first was just pure instinct as the Spaniard curled in a gorgeous first time shot from the edge of the box and the second was an inspirational lob over Ricardo from a tight angle. Also helped out his team with an assist and worked hard up front.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid)
The Dutch striker looks to be finally finding his feet at Madrid and on Saturday he got on the score sheet twice to make it three goals in two matches. Neither of the goals were particularly special but the fact he is getting in the right place at the right time shows he is starting to fit into this side.
Albert Luque (Malaga)
The former Newcastle man put in a brilliant display against Valladolid at the weekend to help his side move even further up the table. The opening goal he scored with the outside of his boot was superb and he could have had more goals had it not been for some good saves from Villar.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Roberto (Osasuna)
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Fazio (Sevilla)
Apono (Malaga)
Jose Jurado (Real Mallorca)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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