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La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 24
Goal.com unveils the best XI from Jornada 24...
| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £90.00 | Draw £47.50 | Barcelona £13.33 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £85.00 | Draw £47.50 | Barcelona £13.60 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £85.00 | Draw £47.50 | Barcelona £13.60 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £85.00 | Draw £45.00 | Barcelona £13.10 |
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Mar 1, 2010 11:01:00 AM
By KS Leong
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper
Roberto Jimenez (Real Zaragoza) – The 24-year-old made his very first appearance for the Aragons after joining them from Atletico Madrid in January and he did not let slip the chance to make a good first impression. He became one of the heroes for Zaragoza when he pulled off a series of stunning acrobatic, one-handed, one-on-one saves to deny Getafe.
Defence
Raul Albiol (Real Madrid) – In an ever-changing Merengue backfour, Albiol has remained a constant in terms of selection and his performances. Against an adventurous Tenerife side, the ex-Valencia defender had to be very alert to plug any holes at the back and he made a number of pivotal interceptions that even won the approval of the hard-to-please Iker Casillas.
Weligton (Malaga) – A defensive-minded Malaga held off Barcelona at the Camp Nou for long periods and looked as though they would escape with a point. And it was thanks to the under-rated Weligton that the Andalucians frustrated the Blaugrana as he popped up all over the backline to stifle his opponents, and also made an off-the-line clearance.
Xabi Castillo (Athletic Bilbao) – The Basques outfit successfully plundered a precious point from the Sanchez Pizjuan due largely to their disciplined defending. And Castillo was at the heart of it all. Strong in the air and needed to be against a Sevilla side who had Frederic Kanoute. He was also very lively down the left flank as he initiated counter-attacks by bringing the ball forward with his pace.
Midfield
Jose Antonio Reyes (Atletico Madrid) – Many thought the Sevillano would never return to his best, but under Quique Sanchez Flores, Reyes is in fact playing his best football. The 26-year-old was almost impossible to stop against Valencia and Los Che constantly had to resort to illegal means to prevent the winger causing serious damage. Should have earned a penalty for his side after being hacked down by Ever Banega.
Modeste M'Bami (Almeria) – The Cameroonian midfield workhorse has quietly been one of the best performers in La Liga this season. But he was anything but quiet against Racing Santander as his battling display in the centre of the park helped the modest Andalucians to a 2-0 win at El Sardinero and in the process, extend their five-match unbeaten run.
Xavi (Barcelona) – The midfield architect was back to his best against an air-tight Malaga side as he carved open the opposition and created a string of opportunities for his team-mates. His through pass alone to set Dani Alves on his way to tee up Lionel Messi for the winner is enough to earn him a spot in the team of the week. Almost scored from the most outrageous of backheel horse-kicks.
Kaka (Real Madrid) – As the former Milan playmaker continues to rediscover his best form, consistency is now the key for the €68 million man. And consistency is precisely what 'Ricky' is exhibiting with yet another top drawer performance in the heart of midfield. More importantly, the Brazilian is now showing superb understanding and cohesion with his collaborators in attack.
Attack
Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) – Scored two outstanding goals, made the assist for Kaka immediately after Tenerife stunned Los Blancos by pulling one back early in the second half, and came close to a hat-trick with what would have been the goal of the game when he sublimely brought down a long ball and lobbed it over the goalkeeper, only to see it bounce back off the bar. Player of the round.
Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid) – Coolly scored from the penalty spot after much controversy and delay, before scoring the vital go-ahead goal against Valencia. Wrapped up his evening by providing an assist for Jurado, but he was also highly involved with his attacking team-mates in the final third of the pitch, especially opening up chances for Sergio Aguero.
Pedro (Barcelona) – The youngster finally ended his month-long goal drought and surprise, surprise, it was yet another important strike for the Blaugrana and yet another cracker of a goal as he broke the deadlock against a stubborn Malaga. Pedrito may not yet have the showmanship and the flamboyance of some of the Camp Nou megastars, but it is his directness that makes him such a vital component in Pep Guardiola's set-up.
Honourable Mentions
Gorka Iraizoz (Athletic Bilbao)
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Paulo Assuncao (Atletico Madrid)
David Fuster (Villarreal)
Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Goalkeeper
Roberto Jimenez (Real Zaragoza) – The 24-year-old made his very first appearance for the Aragons after joining them from Atletico Madrid in January and he did not let slip the chance to make a good first impression. He became one of the heroes for Zaragoza when he pulled off a series of stunning acrobatic, one-handed, one-on-one saves to deny Getafe.
Defence
Raul Albiol (Real Madrid) – In an ever-changing Merengue backfour, Albiol has remained a constant in terms of selection and his performances. Against an adventurous Tenerife side, the ex-Valencia defender had to be very alert to plug any holes at the back and he made a number of pivotal interceptions that even won the approval of the hard-to-please Iker Casillas.
Weligton (Malaga) – A defensive-minded Malaga held off Barcelona at the Camp Nou for long periods and looked as though they would escape with a point. And it was thanks to the under-rated Weligton that the Andalucians frustrated the Blaugrana as he popped up all over the backline to stifle his opponents, and also made an off-the-line clearance.
Xabi Castillo (Athletic Bilbao) – The Basques outfit successfully plundered a precious point from the Sanchez Pizjuan due largely to their disciplined defending. And Castillo was at the heart of it all. Strong in the air and needed to be against a Sevilla side who had Frederic Kanoute. He was also very lively down the left flank as he initiated counter-attacks by bringing the ball forward with his pace.
Midfield
Jose Antonio Reyes (Atletico Madrid) – Many thought the Sevillano would never return to his best, but under Quique Sanchez Flores, Reyes is in fact playing his best football. The 26-year-old was almost impossible to stop against Valencia and Los Che constantly had to resort to illegal means to prevent the winger causing serious damage. Should have earned a penalty for his side after being hacked down by Ever Banega.
Modeste M'Bami (Almeria) – The Cameroonian midfield workhorse has quietly been one of the best performers in La Liga this season. But he was anything but quiet against Racing Santander as his battling display in the centre of the park helped the modest Andalucians to a 2-0 win at El Sardinero and in the process, extend their five-match unbeaten run.
Xavi (Barcelona) – The midfield architect was back to his best against an air-tight Malaga side as he carved open the opposition and created a string of opportunities for his team-mates. His through pass alone to set Dani Alves on his way to tee up Lionel Messi for the winner is enough to earn him a spot in the team of the week. Almost scored from the most outrageous of backheel horse-kicks.
Kaka (Real Madrid) – As the former Milan playmaker continues to rediscover his best form, consistency is now the key for the €68 million man. And consistency is precisely what 'Ricky' is exhibiting with yet another top drawer performance in the heart of midfield. More importantly, the Brazilian is now showing superb understanding and cohesion with his collaborators in attack.
Attack
Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) – Scored two outstanding goals, made the assist for Kaka immediately after Tenerife stunned Los Blancos by pulling one back early in the second half, and came close to a hat-trick with what would have been the goal of the game when he sublimely brought down a long ball and lobbed it over the goalkeeper, only to see it bounce back off the bar. Player of the round.
Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid) – Coolly scored from the penalty spot after much controversy and delay, before scoring the vital go-ahead goal against Valencia. Wrapped up his evening by providing an assist for Jurado, but he was also highly involved with his attacking team-mates in the final third of the pitch, especially opening up chances for Sergio Aguero.
Pedro (Barcelona) – The youngster finally ended his month-long goal drought and surprise, surprise, it was yet another important strike for the Blaugrana and yet another cracker of a goal as he broke the deadlock against a stubborn Malaga. Pedrito may not yet have the showmanship and the flamboyance of some of the Camp Nou megastars, but it is his directness that makes him such a vital component in Pep Guardiola's set-up.
Roberto
Albiol - Weligton - Castillo
Reyes - Xavi - M'Bami - Kaka
Higuain - Forlan - Pedro
Albiol - Weligton - Castillo
Reyes - Xavi - M'Bami - Kaka
Higuain - Forlan - Pedro
Honourable Mentions
Gorka Iraizoz (Athletic Bilbao)
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Paulo Assuncao (Atletico Madrid)
David Fuster (Villarreal)
Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
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