Who was the better player overall in May and throughout the 2011-12 season in La Liga? Goal.com takes a look at their performances
ANALYSIS
VIL
FCB
Compiled by KS Leong
As part of our monthly series, Goal.com compiles the statistical data, expert analysis, and progressive season records in La Liga on two of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
| LA LIGA: ROUND 36 |
 vs  MALAGA May 2 Camp Nou |
RESULT | Barcelona 4-1 Malaga | |||||||||||||
| INDIVIDUAL MATCH STATS |
|
||||||||||||||
| GOAL.COM PLAYER RATING |
8.0 'Broke Gerd Muller's record of 67 goals in a single season with his eighth hat-trick of the season this evening. Two of the goals came from the penalty spot, while the third was a well-taken finish after being played in by Andres Iniesta. A clinical performance from the Argentine.' |
 vs  ATHLETIC BILBAO May 3 San Mames |
RESULT | Athletic 0-3 Real Madrid | |||||||||||||
| INDIVIDUAL MATCH STATS |
|
||||||||||||||
| GOAL.COM PLAYER RATING |
7.5 'Tried to be far too deliberate with his early penalty that was saved by Iraizoz, but made up for it minutes later when he picked out Ozil with an incredible pass to the back post for the German's goal. Grabbed an early second half goal with a towering header which proved to be the killer blow for Athletic.' |
| LA LIGA: ROUND 37 |
 vs  ESPANYOL May 5 Camp Nou |
RESULT | Barcelona 4-0 Espanyol | |||||||||||||
| INDIVIDUAL MATCH STATS |
|
||||||||||||||
| GOAL.COM PLAYER RATING |
9.0 Top of the Match 'Settled the derby nerves at Camp Nou with a delightful free kick into the corner in the 12th minute. Lit up the match with a number of bursting runs and scored a second with a coolly taken penalty. Third goal was nothing short of genius as he showed a majestic first touch before leaving Sanchez for dead and then lashing home into the bottom corner. Sealed a fourth goal with another penalty.' |
 vs  GRANADA May 5 Nuevo Los Carmenes |
RESULT | Granada 1-2 Real Madrid | |||||||||||||
| INDIVIDUAL MATCH STATS |
|
||||||||||||||
| GOAL.COM PLAYER RATING |
6.5 'Off target with a header early on and then blasted a free kick into the wall. Ran the ball out of play later, much to the amusement of the home fans. Wide with a header from close range in the second half before converting a penalty to level the scores late on.' |
| LA LIGA: ROUND 38 |
 vs  REAL BETIS May 12 Estadio Benito Vilamarin |
RESULT | Betis 2-2 Barcelona | |||||||||||||
| INDIVIDUAL MATCH STATS |
|
||||||||||||||
| GOAL.COM PLAYER RATING |
6.5 'A fairly quiet game by his exceptionally high standards. Set Afellay free with a delightful pass early on, but Casto was alert to sweep up the danger. Embarked on a driving run himself across the Betis penalty area in the 36th minute before having a left-footed shot blocked by the diving Paulao. Hit the post with a free kick in second half injury-time with Casto well-beaten.' |
 vs  MALLORCA May 12 Santiago Bernabeu |
RESULT | Real Madrid 4-1 Mallorca | |||||||||||||
| INDIVIDUAL MATCH STATS |
|
||||||||||||||
| GOAL.COM PLAYER RATING |
7.0 'Looked up for it as the match got underway and gave Madrid the lead with a fine first-half header, becoming the first player to ever score against all 19 Liga sides in the same season. Played his part in the build-up to the second goal, but missed a one-on-one with Aouate in the second period. Produced a wonderful piece of skill to beat his marker in the area after that. Also appealed for a penalty in first period, but foul took place outside the box.' |
| MAY STATISTICS |
 |
  |
 |
| 280 | MINUTES PLAYED |
279 |
| 7 | GOALS |
3 |
| 4 | PENALTIES |
1 |
| 0 | ASSISTS | 1 |
| 15 / 7 (46.7%) | TOTAL SHOTS / ON GOAL |
25 / 11 (44%) |
| 127 / 104 (81.9%) | PASSES / COMPLETED | 90 / 61 (67.8%) |
| 7.8 | GOAL.COM AVERAGE RATING |
7.0 |
| 46 | 2011-12 LA LIGA GOALS | 50 |
| 72 (59) | 2011-12 COMPETITIVE GOALS (APPEARANCES) |
60 (55) |
| 2011-12 LA LIGA SEASON STATISTICS |
 |
|
 |
| 3406 | MINUTES PLAYED |
3483 |
| 50 (37) | GOALS (GAMES) |
46 (38) |
| 10 | PENALTIES |
12 |
| 15 | ASSISTS | 12 |
| 201 / 98 (48.7%) | TOTAL SHOTS / ON GOAL |
260 / 103 (39.6%) |
| 2439 / 1995 (81.8%) | PASSES / COMPLETED | 1529 / 1175 (76.8%) |
| 7.46 | GOAL.COM AVERAGE RATING |
7.24 |
| 72 (59) | 2011-12 COMPETITIVE GOALS (GAMES) |
60 (55) |
| WHO WAS BETTER IN 2011-12? |
|
 Who was better in the 2011-12 Liga season? Who was more consistent? Who was more productive? Join the debate on goal_intl and leave your tweets with the hashtag #goalh2h. Goal.com will publish the best comments in our poll result article on Friday May 18, 2012. |
