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La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 25
Goal.com unveils the best XI from Jornada 25.
Mar 9, 2010 6:55:00 AM
By KS Leong
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper
Andres Palop (Sevilla) – Despite ending up on the losing side, the Sevilla veteran just pipped Almeria’s equally impressive Diego Alves to the first XI having made more saves against a rampant, resilient Real Madrid. It looked as though his heroics would earn his side a famous victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the unrelenting pressure was just too much in the end for the 36-year-old and his defenders.
Defence
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) – Fresh from a dazzling display for Spain in midweek, iron man Sergio brought his form back to club level with what could potentially be regarded as two of his most vital contributions to Los Blancos. He may have been slightly troubled at the back by Diego Capel, but he scored Madrid’s second equaliser against Sevilla before whipping in a cross that led to the winner.
Jiri Jarosik (Real Zaragoza) – The midfielder turned centre-back was a towering figure for the Aragons as he brilliantly shackled Atletico Madrid twin terrors, Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan. To rub salt into his opponents’ wound, the Czech scored with a header from a corner for Zaragoza, who were unfortunate not to pocket maximum points. Another one of Los Blanquillos’ genius winter signings.
Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla) – For long periods of the game, Drago marshalled his Sevilla defence with authority to keep out the white storm. His strike from a freekick may have been a tad fortunate to sneak past Iker Casillas, but it’s not the first time he has netted directly from a set piece having scored from a similar range with an even more stunning finish two weeks ago against Mallorca.
Cisma (Almeria) – The unheralded left-back had to deal with the double threat of Lionel Messi and Dani Alves and although he did not suppress them completely, he was never overwhelmed by his superstar opponents either. Scored the crucial opening goal for Almeria that kept Barcelona on the backfoot for the rest of the game.
Midfield
Momo (Xerez) – With more than half the season gone, tiny Xerez finally bagged their first ever away win in La Liga against a resurgent Malaga. And it was all thanks to winger Momo, who gave his side an early fifth minute lead before sparking the comeback to level the game at 2-2 with 20 minutes left on the clock after their opponents had gone in front.
Mario Suarez (Mallorca) – After a shock home defeat a fortnight ago, Mallorca have quickly returned to form with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sporting Gijon. One of the key figures in the win was defensive midfielder Suarez, who along with Borja Valero completely controlled and closed up the centre of the park, which allowed his attacking team-mates to run riot upfront.
Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid) – One of Manuel Pellegrini’s masterstroke substitutions against Sevilla, Rafa only had 35 minutes on the pitch, but along with Guti, they completely turned the game around with their midfield dominance. His inch-perfect corner delivery was nodded in by Sergio Ramos but it would be his injury time winning goal that will stay in his memory forever as a Blanco. Player of the round.
Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna) – There were concerns over Guardado’s fitness after a recent illness, but you wouldn’t have guessed that he was suffering from dizzy spells during the 3-1 win over Tenerife. The Mexican was sublime in midfield as he set-up Depor’s leveller, scored the go-ahead goal before winning a corner which led to the third. Should have had more than one on the scoresheet himself.
Attack
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – There’s a reason why this man is nicknamed ‘El Mesias’. Not for the first time, he saved his side from the jaws of defeat. Twice. Scored with the most outrageous of freekicks for the first equaliser but showed his predatory instincts to pounce on an opponent’s defensive mistake and stab home the second from close range. While the likes of Ibrahimovic, Xavi and Iniesta are all struggling for consistency, Messi remains imperious.
Gaizka Toquero (Athletic Bilbao) – While most of the attention at Athletic this season has been focused on Fernando Llorente and Iker Muniain, it‘s the unfancied Toquero who has been one of the team’s best and most consistent performers in recent games. This week, the spotlight is indeed on the 25-year-old forward who scored two quality goals to lead the Basque outfit to a 2-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Honourable Mentions
Diego Alves (Almeria)
Diego Godin (Villarreal)
Maxwell (Barcelona)
Juan Rodriguez (Deportivo La Coruna)
Guti (Real Madrid)
Fabian Orellana (Xerez)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
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Goalkeeper
Andres Palop (Sevilla) – Despite ending up on the losing side, the Sevilla veteran just pipped Almeria’s equally impressive Diego Alves to the first XI having made more saves against a rampant, resilient Real Madrid. It looked as though his heroics would earn his side a famous victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the unrelenting pressure was just too much in the end for the 36-year-old and his defenders.
Defence
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) – Fresh from a dazzling display for Spain in midweek, iron man Sergio brought his form back to club level with what could potentially be regarded as two of his most vital contributions to Los Blancos. He may have been slightly troubled at the back by Diego Capel, but he scored Madrid’s second equaliser against Sevilla before whipping in a cross that led to the winner.
Jiri Jarosik (Real Zaragoza) – The midfielder turned centre-back was a towering figure for the Aragons as he brilliantly shackled Atletico Madrid twin terrors, Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan. To rub salt into his opponents’ wound, the Czech scored with a header from a corner for Zaragoza, who were unfortunate not to pocket maximum points. Another one of Los Blanquillos’ genius winter signings.
Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla) – For long periods of the game, Drago marshalled his Sevilla defence with authority to keep out the white storm. His strike from a freekick may have been a tad fortunate to sneak past Iker Casillas, but it’s not the first time he has netted directly from a set piece having scored from a similar range with an even more stunning finish two weeks ago against Mallorca.
Cisma (Almeria) – The unheralded left-back had to deal with the double threat of Lionel Messi and Dani Alves and although he did not suppress them completely, he was never overwhelmed by his superstar opponents either. Scored the crucial opening goal for Almeria that kept Barcelona on the backfoot for the rest of the game.
Midfield
Momo (Xerez) – With more than half the season gone, tiny Xerez finally bagged their first ever away win in La Liga against a resurgent Malaga. And it was all thanks to winger Momo, who gave his side an early fifth minute lead before sparking the comeback to level the game at 2-2 with 20 minutes left on the clock after their opponents had gone in front.
Mario Suarez (Mallorca) – After a shock home defeat a fortnight ago, Mallorca have quickly returned to form with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sporting Gijon. One of the key figures in the win was defensive midfielder Suarez, who along with Borja Valero completely controlled and closed up the centre of the park, which allowed his attacking team-mates to run riot upfront.
Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid) – One of Manuel Pellegrini’s masterstroke substitutions against Sevilla, Rafa only had 35 minutes on the pitch, but along with Guti, they completely turned the game around with their midfield dominance. His inch-perfect corner delivery was nodded in by Sergio Ramos but it would be his injury time winning goal that will stay in his memory forever as a Blanco. Player of the round.
Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna) – There were concerns over Guardado’s fitness after a recent illness, but you wouldn’t have guessed that he was suffering from dizzy spells during the 3-1 win over Tenerife. The Mexican was sublime in midfield as he set-up Depor’s leveller, scored the go-ahead goal before winning a corner which led to the third. Should have had more than one on the scoresheet himself.
Attack
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – There’s a reason why this man is nicknamed ‘El Mesias’. Not for the first time, he saved his side from the jaws of defeat. Twice. Scored with the most outrageous of freekicks for the first equaliser but showed his predatory instincts to pounce on an opponent’s defensive mistake and stab home the second from close range. While the likes of Ibrahimovic, Xavi and Iniesta are all struggling for consistency, Messi remains imperious.
Gaizka Toquero (Athletic Bilbao) – While most of the attention at Athletic this season has been focused on Fernando Llorente and Iker Muniain, it‘s the unfancied Toquero who has been one of the team’s best and most consistent performers in recent games. This week, the spotlight is indeed on the 25-year-old forward who scored two quality goals to lead the Basque outfit to a 2-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Palop
Sergio Ramos - Jarosik - Dragutinovic - Cisma
Momo - Suarez - Van der Vaart - Guardado
Messi - Toquero
Sergio Ramos - Jarosik - Dragutinovic - Cisma
Momo - Suarez - Van der Vaart - Guardado
Messi - Toquero
Honourable Mentions
Diego Alves (Almeria)
Diego Godin (Villarreal)
Maxwell (Barcelona)
Juan Rodriguez (Deportivo La Coruna)
Guti (Real Madrid)
Fabian Orellana (Xerez)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
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