La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 26

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper

David De Gea (Atletico Madrid) – Kept Atletico in the game with some excellent and commanding saves when they were under pressure and under attack early on against Osasuna. Definitely Spain’s next big goalkeeping success and it comes as no surprise how he is not only forcing Sergio Asenjo off the Colchoneros first team, but leaving the ex-Valladolid custodian on the verge of a departure.

Defence

Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna) – The young wing-back continues to prove that he is now ready to step up to Spain’s senior national squad. A mature and disciplined performance on the right side of defence left Atletico’s Simao frustrated and he also coped brilliantly with Jurado. Also provided the necessary support to his team-mates in attack.

Alberto Lopo (Deportivo La Coruna) – Against a Sevilla side who had towering titans Frederic Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo leading their attack, Depor were always going to be under aerial siege. But Lopo, along with Diego Colotto, suppressed the danger with authority and ease and kept the Nervionenses duo quiet throughout the game.

Federico Fazio (Sevilla) – If Lopo was excellent for Depor, then his opposite number Fazio was Sevilla’s hero. With Negredo and Kanoute unable to unleash their aerial threat, Fazio had to chip in with a typical centre-back’s goal. The Argentine also did well bringing the ball out of defence and stepping up to midfield to intercept the Galicians’ counter-attacks.

Pablo Sicila (Tenerife) – The little known full-back has been impressive in recent games and it was no different as he help Tenerife blitz Espanyol. A sure-footed performance at the back left the Catalan side with little to feed off on in attack and he also contributed to his own team’s offences with his clever runs and passes down the left flank.

Midfield

Dani Parejo (Getafe) – Young Dani has a lot to live up to as he looks to follow in the footsteps of fellow Real Madrid graduates Ruben de la Red and Esteban Granero at Los Azulones. And the 20-year-old had one of his best games for El Geta at the weekend in their sensational 3-0 win over Mallorca. Showed that he had the instincts to play in the ‘hole’ as he quietly drifted into the box to score his side’s opening goal before setting up the second with a delightful through ball.

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid) – Xabi’s performance against Valladolid was a perfect illustration of how much Madrid missed him in last week against Lyon in the Champions League. The 28-year-old quietly pulled the strings for Los Blancos, dropping down to help defend and stepping up to initiate attacks with a combination of simple, direct passes and outrageous cross-field deliveries.

Jurado (Atletico Madrid) – With Jose Antonio Reyes suspended for Atletico, Jurado had to take up one of the slots out wide. And he delivered the goods with a vibrant display, constantly cutting into the middle from the wings and drawing out defenders. His hard work was duly rewarded with a gem of a goal late in the game which earner his side all three points.

Attack

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – There is simply no stopping ‘El Mesias’ at the moment. The stunning hat-trick against Valencia was his sixth goal in his last three La Liga outings and he now races clear in the Pichichi race. What’s even more remarkable was his ability to turn his poor start to the game against Los Che into a match-winning performance with three world class goals. As if there were any doubts... player of the round.

Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) – Not one to be overshadowed by his Argentine compatriot, Higuain matched Messi’s scoring feats with a hat-trick of his own to move him up to second in the goalscoring charts. Huge credit has to be given to Pipita for bouncing back so emphatically after being criticised for his wasteful performance against Lyon just four days earlier.

Thierry Henry (Barcelona) – Talk about bouncing back, Titi put weeks and months of under-performances behind him with a stellar super-sub display. His introduction in the second half against Valencia rejuvenated Barca’s attack and completely turned the game around. The French veteran may have been overshadowed this round by Messi and Higuain’s exploits, but he made two clever assists for his strike partner.

Honourable Mentions

Juan Pablo (Sporting Gijon)
Dani Alves (Barcelona)
Laure (Deportivo La Coruna)
Ever Banega (Valencia)
Fernando Soriano (Almeria)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Nino (Tenerife)

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