Liga Team of the Week: Messi & Iniesta joined by Barcelona team-mates Busquets & Adriano

Dec 18, 2012 12:00:00 PM

The Brazilian utility man scored a wonder goal in the 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday and the Catalans' defensive midfielder was also on target for the league leaders

The 16th round of Primera Division action saw Barcelona assume greater control of La Liga as the Catalans beat their closest rivals in the title race, Atletico Madrid.

They have now opened up a nine-point lead at the top and have moved 13 clear of eternal enemies Real after Jose Mourinho's men were surprisingly held at home to Espanyol.

Here, Goal.com looks at the standout performers from all of the weekend games in Spain's top flight.

In goal, Kiko Casilla impressed with a number of fine saves to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and company at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Casilla was beaten twice, once by Madrid's Portuguese full-back Fabio Coentrao, who scored his first goal for the Spanish side this term with what looked like it would be the winner until Espanyol's late leveller.

Malaga's Martin Demichelis set his side on their way to a 2-0 win at regional rivals Sevilla, in what was also a fine defensive display, while Adriano hit a wonder goal for Barcelona in their 4-1 success at home to Atletico.

Adriano is joined by Barca team-mates Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, the latter chipping in with a rare goal at Camp Nou as well as restricting Atletico with an accomplished performance in central midfield.

Elsewhere, Ruben was Levante's hero with the winner at Zaragoza, while Joaquin impressed for Malaga and set up his side's first goal at Sevilla.

Further forward, Lionel Messi added two more strikes to his tremendous tally in the 4-1 win over Atletico, while Aritz Aduriz continued his fine form in front of goal with the winner for Athletic Bilbao at Mallorca and Kike Sola impressed for Osasuna, scoring in their 1-1 draw at Getafe.

CASILLA

ESPANYOL

vs Real Madrid (a)

Rating:

ADRIANO	DEMICHELIS	COENTRAO

BARCELONA	MALAGA	REAL MADRID
vs Atletico Madrid (h)	vs Sevilla (a)	vs Espanyol (h)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:

RUBEN	BUSQUETS	INIESTA	JOAQUIN

LEVANTE	BARCELONA	BARCELONA	MALAGA
vs Zaragoza (a)	vs Atletico Madrid (h)	vs Atletico Madrid (h)	vs Sevilla (a)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:	Rating:

KIKE SOLA	MESSI	ADURIZ

OSASUNA	BARCELONA	ATHLETIC
vs Getafe (a)	vs Atletico Madrid (h)	vs Mallorca (a)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:

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