La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 15

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Goalkeeper

Gustavo Munua (Malaga)

Strugglers Malaga had drawn seven out of their previous eight fixtures before this tie and needed a win to get themselves back into contention to avoid the drop. Munua produced a timely performance for the hosts to keep Mallorca at bay for large periods and give Malaga their first league win since the opening day of the season.

Defenders

Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao)

The 27-year-old full back was solid as a rock as Bilbao overcame Osasuna with relative ease at San Mames. Iraola snuffed out the attacking threat from the Pamplona side and got forward regularly to support his attackers. With performances like these he is likely to give Vicente Del Bosque plenty of food for thought when he picks his World Cup squad.

Alexis (Valencia)

Produced a fine performance in a difficult game for Los Che at the Riazor. Although not a regular starter, Alexis slotted in to give an instrumental display at the heart of Valencia's defence and ensure that Deportivo La Coruna did not creep above them into the Champions League places going into the winter break.

Nivaldo (Real Valladolid)

Chica (Espanyol)

Midfielders

Javi Marquez (Espanyol)

After the Camp Nou disappointment Mauricio Pochettino's men knew they had to finish  the year with a win to arrest the recent slump and Marquez was at the centre of everything good the Blanc i Blau did,  producing a polished midfield display, capped with a goal just before the interval to give his side a deserved lead.

Francisco Yeste (Athletic Bilbao)

Bilbao have pushed themselves up to seventh in the Primera Liga within touching distance of the Champions League spaces at the Christmas break and can thank Yeste, who opened the scoring inside a minute against Osasuna, to send them on their way to a comfortable home win. The 30-year-old produced a classy performance for Los Leones who certainly appear to be buzzing after securing their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Marcos Senna (Villarreal)

In recent weeks the Yellow Submarine have been resurgent in the Primera Liga and after their first away win of the season against Atletico Madrid, were keen to follow that with another three points, which they did with a convincing performance against Racing Santander. Senna was instrumental as the driving force from midfield and has returned to form just in time as Barcelona are next.