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La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 28
Yet again Barcelona made the headlines in Spain as they thrashed Malaga 6-0, whilst Real Madrid kept up the chase by beating Almeria by three goals to nil...
Mar 23, 2009 10:26:02 AM
Formation: 3-4-3
GOALKEEPER
Cesar (Valencia)
Just when los Che desperately needed to win they managed to pull it out of the bag and owed plenty to goalkeeper Cesar. He might have been fortunate that Serrano blasted his late penalty against the woodwork but before that he had already made some great saves to deny the forward, as well as other Racing players.
DEFENDERS
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
The usual suspects might have grabbed the headlines on Sunday evening but yet again Daniel Alves was superb for Barcelona. He never stopped running up and down the wing all evening, spending most of his time in the opponents half, and even got his name on the score-sheet too.
Miguel Flano (Osasuna)
Osasuna might have been fairly inconsistent in terms of results this season but at the back they have been remarkably solid throughout. Miguel Flano has been at the heart of most things good in defence and in a key match against Espanyol he was strong and assured.
Adriano (Sevilla)
The defender has not hit the dizzying heights recently that he managed with Sevilla towards the end of last year but against Valladolid he was nearly back to his best. Much like Alves he is always willing to get forward down the flank and his pass to set up Fabiano's goal was illustrative of the fact he is so much more than just a defender.
MIDFIELDERS
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Barcelona tore Malaga apart on Sunday evening and it is no surprise that Messi was at the heart of the action. Every time he got the ball he looked dangerous and his goal was absolutely brilliant as he bamboozled the defence and fired into the top corner.
Sebastien Eguren (Villarreal)
Has taken a while to settle down in Spain but against Athletic he put in one of his best performances in a Villarreal shirt and was brilliant. Not only was he strong in defence to help cut off the service to the visiting forwards but he linked up well his own attack and started plenty of moves.
Xavi (Barcelona)
Whilst Messi provided the flair in the Barcelona win, Xavi was the brains, as he pulled the strings from the centre of the pitch. The ease with which the Spaniard plays the game is just astounding and he fully deserved to get on the score-sheet in what was a vintage display.
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
It was a tough call between the Brazilian and Thierry Henry but the fact that the Real Madrid man sparked the win on Sunday gives him the edge. Has come under plenty of criticism for his performances this year but he is really starting to find form lately and along with Klaas Jan Huntelaar he was the best player for his side.
FORWARDS
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid)
The Dutch striker started off slowly in Spain but lately he has hit some brilliant form and against Almeria he grabbed another couple of goals. Much like his partner Raul he often is not involved throughout the match but his instinctive finishing means that he could be a valuable player for Madrid.
Freddy Kanoute (Sevilla)
Whilst many of the strikers in La Primera dazzle with flair and trickery, Kanoute just oozes class and against Valladolid he was yet again on top of him game. His three goals were all of the highest quality and the way he controls the ball with so much ease is just magnificent to watch. Had he been fit all season along with Fabiano then Sevilla could well be challenging for more than third place at the moment.
Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)
Reports today suggest that the striker could well stay with Barcelona for a few years to come and there is surely no doubt that would be a good thing for the club. The way he links up with the rest of the front men is just brilliant and much like Huntelaar he always knows where the goal is and how to put the ball in it.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia)
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)
Roberto Soldado (Getafe)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
GOALKEEPER
Cesar (Valencia)
Just when los Che desperately needed to win they managed to pull it out of the bag and owed plenty to goalkeeper Cesar. He might have been fortunate that Serrano blasted his late penalty against the woodwork but before that he had already made some great saves to deny the forward, as well as other Racing players.
DEFENDERS
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
The usual suspects might have grabbed the headlines on Sunday evening but yet again Daniel Alves was superb for Barcelona. He never stopped running up and down the wing all evening, spending most of his time in the opponents half, and even got his name on the score-sheet too.
Miguel Flano (Osasuna)
Osasuna might have been fairly inconsistent in terms of results this season but at the back they have been remarkably solid throughout. Miguel Flano has been at the heart of most things good in defence and in a key match against Espanyol he was strong and assured.
Adriano (Sevilla)
The defender has not hit the dizzying heights recently that he managed with Sevilla towards the end of last year but against Valladolid he was nearly back to his best. Much like Alves he is always willing to get forward down the flank and his pass to set up Fabiano's goal was illustrative of the fact he is so much more than just a defender.
MIDFIELDERS
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Barcelona tore Malaga apart on Sunday evening and it is no surprise that Messi was at the heart of the action. Every time he got the ball he looked dangerous and his goal was absolutely brilliant as he bamboozled the defence and fired into the top corner.
Sebastien Eguren (Villarreal)
Has taken a while to settle down in Spain but against Athletic he put in one of his best performances in a Villarreal shirt and was brilliant. Not only was he strong in defence to help cut off the service to the visiting forwards but he linked up well his own attack and started plenty of moves.
Xavi (Barcelona)
Whilst Messi provided the flair in the Barcelona win, Xavi was the brains, as he pulled the strings from the centre of the pitch. The ease with which the Spaniard plays the game is just astounding and he fully deserved to get on the score-sheet in what was a vintage display.
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
It was a tough call between the Brazilian and Thierry Henry but the fact that the Real Madrid man sparked the win on Sunday gives him the edge. Has come under plenty of criticism for his performances this year but he is really starting to find form lately and along with Klaas Jan Huntelaar he was the best player for his side.
FORWARDS
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid)
The Dutch striker started off slowly in Spain but lately he has hit some brilliant form and against Almeria he grabbed another couple of goals. Much like his partner Raul he often is not involved throughout the match but his instinctive finishing means that he could be a valuable player for Madrid.
Freddy Kanoute (Sevilla)
Whilst many of the strikers in La Primera dazzle with flair and trickery, Kanoute just oozes class and against Valladolid he was yet again on top of him game. His three goals were all of the highest quality and the way he controls the ball with so much ease is just magnificent to watch. Had he been fit all season along with Fabiano then Sevilla could well be challenging for more than third place at the moment.
Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)
Reports today suggest that the striker could well stay with Barcelona for a few years to come and there is surely no doubt that would be a good thing for the club. The way he links up with the rest of the front men is just brilliant and much like Huntelaar he always knows where the goal is and how to put the ball in it.
SUBS
Those who were close but didn't quite make it...
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia)
Thierry Henry (Barcelona)
Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)
Roberto Soldado (Getafe)
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
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