La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 4

Real Madrid smashed Sporting in a match containing a number of eye-catching individual displays, but the terrible defending and generally minimal resistance put up by the visitors counts against Schuster's stars here. Barcelona also turned some heads, not least Sami Eto'o, though Betis fought their way back into the contest before ultimately falling, while Valencia and Villarreal delivered good performances to maintain their status as joint leaders of La Liga.

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Goalkeeper

Miguel Moya (Mallorca)
Round 4 was not a vintage one for goalkeeping, but Los Bermellones' custodian keeps his place with another clean sheet as Mallorca eased past Numancia to secure their first win of the season, following up Moya's heroic exploits in the Riazor last weekend.

Defenders

Dani Alves (Barcelona)
The Brazilian has settled well at Camp Nou and seems unshackled my the massive transfer fee. Simply made for Barcelona, Dani let it all shine through with another notable performance down the Blaugrana right, as Barca snatched all the points from Betis.

Alexis (Valencia)
After an understandably troublesome first season that was 07/08, Alexis is beginning to show why so many clubs across the country were interested in his services. The young defender was called upon on numerous occasions in Malaga and did not disappoint.

Raul Albiol (Valencia)
Gets in along with his centre-back partner with a marvellous performance as captain on the night. Put challenges in everywhere and cleared Pablo's shot off the line superbly, keeping Los Che on level terms before Villa and Mata worked their magic

Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)
Spain's vastly experienced first choice left back at Euro 2008 got the opening goal in an important victory over a tricky Racing Santander outfit. The former Atletico and Deportivo defender again proved a vital part of El Submarino Amaraillo's mean defence.

Midfielders

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Another livewire performance from the midfielder/winger/support striker who links up so perfectly with Lionel Messi. After an outstanding summer and consistently excellent performances this season, Iniesta is starting to get the praise he deserves.

Rafael Van der Vaart (Real Madrid)
Has the Santiago Bernabeu fallen in love with this guy or what? Perhaps it's the other way round, but his hat-trick tops the superb strike of two weeks ago, and it will be interesting to see how VDV fits in when Dutch compatriot Sneijder returns.

Ruben De La Red (Real Madrid)
Sneaks into the best eleven again after another eye-catching performance this week. Proved he should be given a pivotal role in Schuster's team again, and Guti and Gago may find games hard to come buy if De La Red continues to shine in their absence.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Outstanding again for Barcelona's inspiration, on a night which proved a mite more difficult than it should have been at the end. Messi set up two and was a menace throughout. A joy to watch as always.

Forwards

Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona)
With the vultures circling after some quiet games this season, Eto'o pounced like the days of old, ensuring Barca raced into an early two goal lead, and his first was one to remember.

David Villa (Valencia)
Much of the praise must go to his assistant Juanma Mata, but El Guaje's now legendary predatory instincts were showcased in sublime fashion yet again in Malaga, and he was carrying an injury to boot. His importance to Los Che cannot be understated.


                          Moya
    
    Dani Alves    Albiol    Alexis    Capdevila

     Iniesta     De la Red    Van der Vaart

                          Messi          

               Eto'o              Villa




Honourable Mentions

You're probably all thinking, 7-1! Where on earth are Robben, Higuain and Raul? Well, there just isn't space I'm afraid with a raft of excellent attacking midfield displays in the last two days, though the chosen front two are absolute certainties for inclusion. The aforementioned Merengue trio are all unlucky to miss out, though Sporting were so very poor in defence, as we already know this season. Joseba Llorente proved any doubters of his talent were firmly wrong with another goal for Villarreal, while his team-mate Senna also had a good night. Enzo Maresca was knocking on the door of the best eleven again and got the opener in Sevilla's win over Espanyol, while Sergio Garcia was a bright spark in the Seville derby. Florent Sinama-Pongolle continued his excellent start as Atletico's 'back-up' striker this season, while Juan Manuel Mata was superb is setting up El Guaje for both his goals at La Rosaleda.


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