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Spanish Inquisition: La Liga Team Of The Season 2008-09
With the Primera Division reaching the home straight, Goal.com's Ewan Macdonald picks his team of the season...
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May 21, 2009 1:55:08 PM
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper
Andres Palop (Sevilla) – Although Sevilla's back line has been a movable feast this season, they've had Andres Palop to thank for helping them to maintain a highly respectable goals against tally. It's true that the veteran has been beaten at his near post now and again, but for the most part he is a commanding influence and well worthy of standing between the sticks.
Defence
Dani Alves (Barcelona) – The Brazilian's first year in Barcelona has gone as well as could have been expected, which is to say 'very.' For the most part he plays an ultra-offensive game, yet we've also seen him drop back when needed to chip in defensively. Exactly what the doctor ordered - he's the best in the world at his very particular role.
Carles Puyol (Barcelona) – Next to Alves is Puyol - or, more accurately, next to or in place of. Just like last season, Carles has been compelled to play out of position at times due to the frailty of Barca's back line in terms of depth. He's done a sterling job in each defensive place, but it's at centre-back next to Gerard Pique where he has impressed. An excellent fight-back from a man who looked on the verge of collapse just two short years ago.
Raul Albiol (Valencia) – Puyol's partner at international level has come of age, putting in a series of confident performances in what has often been an embattled Valencia line-up. Far less error-prone than most of his team-mates, Albiol is improving with age.
Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna) – The outspoken left-back is Deportivo's Mr. Consistent, having started almost 60 consecutive matches for the Riazor side. Filipe stands on the brink of a call-up to the Brazilian national side after a series of solid displays for the A Coruna outfit in which he has been largely responsible for Depor's sound defensive record.
Midfield
Achille Emana (Real Betis) – His arrival in Andalucia was greeted with muted happiness, with some calling into question his match fitness and attitude. A healthy goal haul later, most of his critics are now silent. The Cameroonian has a habit of scoring screamers, and also terrorising opposing defences with surging runs forward - just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Beticos.
Xavi (Barcelona) – One half of Barcelona's dynamic attacking duo, Xavi has cemented his reputation as perhaps the finest through ball player in the Liga (although Guti would surely have something to say about that.) Although the Blaugrana central line has at times been derided for being too slow, it's his ability to spot the killer pass that can confound even the most packed defences.
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) – Iniesta, meanwhile, is more apt to run with the ball, and more so than any other midfielder in the Primera is he able to strike fear into the opposition. An absolute must-play for both club and country, Iniesta also possesses a single-minded professionalism that puts him in good stead for next season.
Attack
Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) – Along with Lassana Diarra, Higuain is one of the few bright sparks in what has been a fairly disastrous season for the men in white. Once derided for lacking a finish, Gonzalo is now an accomplished goalscorer, as well as a useful wide player. And he's still just 21.
Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid) – A hard-working forward of the old school, Forlan has on several occasions this season dragged Atleti up by their bootstraps, even more so than his much-lauded team-mate Sergio 'Kun' Aguero. The man once branded a Manchester United flop is attracting attention far and wide after another superlative season.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – This man needs no introduction, but we'll give him one anyway: he's already more than doubled last year's Liga goals tally and is set to gain more assists, too, while drawing defenders onto him with such regularity that at times he can appear triple-marked. And he can still get past them. Invaluable to our best XI.
Do you agree with those who made it into the above Team of the Season? Who would make it into your XI? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think...
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
Goalkeeper
Andres Palop (Sevilla) – Although Sevilla's back line has been a movable feast this season, they've had Andres Palop to thank for helping them to maintain a highly respectable goals against tally. It's true that the veteran has been beaten at his near post now and again, but for the most part he is a commanding influence and well worthy of standing between the sticks.
Defence
Dani Alves (Barcelona) – The Brazilian's first year in Barcelona has gone as well as could have been expected, which is to say 'very.' For the most part he plays an ultra-offensive game, yet we've also seen him drop back when needed to chip in defensively. Exactly what the doctor ordered - he's the best in the world at his very particular role.
Carles Puyol (Barcelona) – Next to Alves is Puyol - or, more accurately, next to or in place of. Just like last season, Carles has been compelled to play out of position at times due to the frailty of Barca's back line in terms of depth. He's done a sterling job in each defensive place, but it's at centre-back next to Gerard Pique where he has impressed. An excellent fight-back from a man who looked on the verge of collapse just two short years ago.
Raul Albiol (Valencia) – Puyol's partner at international level has come of age, putting in a series of confident performances in what has often been an embattled Valencia line-up. Far less error-prone than most of his team-mates, Albiol is improving with age.
Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna) – The outspoken left-back is Deportivo's Mr. Consistent, having started almost 60 consecutive matches for the Riazor side. Filipe stands on the brink of a call-up to the Brazilian national side after a series of solid displays for the A Coruna outfit in which he has been largely responsible for Depor's sound defensive record.
Midfield
Achille Emana (Real Betis) – His arrival in Andalucia was greeted with muted happiness, with some calling into question his match fitness and attitude. A healthy goal haul later, most of his critics are now silent. The Cameroonian has a habit of scoring screamers, and also terrorising opposing defences with surging runs forward - just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Beticos.
Xavi (Barcelona) – One half of Barcelona's dynamic attacking duo, Xavi has cemented his reputation as perhaps the finest through ball player in the Liga (although Guti would surely have something to say about that.) Although the Blaugrana central line has at times been derided for being too slow, it's his ability to spot the killer pass that can confound even the most packed defences.
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) – Iniesta, meanwhile, is more apt to run with the ball, and more so than any other midfielder in the Primera is he able to strike fear into the opposition. An absolute must-play for both club and country, Iniesta also possesses a single-minded professionalism that puts him in good stead for next season.
Attack
Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) – Along with Lassana Diarra, Higuain is one of the few bright sparks in what has been a fairly disastrous season for the men in white. Once derided for lacking a finish, Gonzalo is now an accomplished goalscorer, as well as a useful wide player. And he's still just 21.
Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid) – A hard-working forward of the old school, Forlan has on several occasions this season dragged Atleti up by their bootstraps, even more so than his much-lauded team-mate Sergio 'Kun' Aguero. The man once branded a Manchester United flop is attracting attention far and wide after another superlative season.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – This man needs no introduction, but we'll give him one anyway: he's already more than doubled last year's Liga goals tally and is set to gain more assists, too, while drawing defenders onto him with such regularity that at times he can appear triple-marked. And he can still get past them. Invaluable to our best XI.
Palop
Dani Alves – Puyol – Albiol - Filipe
Emana - Xavi - Iniesta
Higuain – Forlan - Messi
Dani Alves – Puyol – Albiol - Filipe
Emana - Xavi - Iniesta
Higuain – Forlan - Messi
Do you agree with those who made it into the above Team of the Season? Who would make it into your XI? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think...
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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