La Liga Team of the Week Round 7: Bilbao, Madrid Impress

While the world stops for El Clasico, many forget La Liga still hosts nine other fixtures worth talking about.

It wasn't just Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who put in performances to remember, as the entire league produced some wonderful individual showings.

Read on to see Bleacher Report's Team of the Week.

GK: Gustavo Munua

Miguel Angel Moya was just pipped to this spot by Gustavo Munua of Levante.

Valencia may have hit a tough patch with regard to form, but Munua's contributions at either end of the pitch helped them grind out an important 1-0 victory.

He was able to keep Roberto Soldado and co. out for the full 90 minutes and looked particularly dominant in the air.

It's rare to see a goalkeeper grab an assist, but that's exactly what Munua managed when he put Obafemi Martins through on goal for the winner.

RB: Andoni Iraola

Finally, we see the Andoni Iraola of last season.

The veteran right-back was a consistent menace from right-back last season under Marcelo Bielsa, but has found himself shackled this season due to poor defensive displays.

Iraola had a good all-round game against Osasuna and, while they are currently lingering near the very bottom of the table themselves, Bilbao securing just their second win of the season is huge.

The full-back saw plenty of the ball and created two or three chances himself.

CB:Paulao

Real Betis continued their impressive start to the season by downing Real Sociedad 2-0.

Béticos centre-back Paulao made a huge contribution at each end of the pitch against Philippe Montanier's side, enjoying a colossal game at the back and scoring the opener from a corner.

His goal, scored in the 17th minute by beating two defenders at the near post, set the tone for the game and brought the Benito Villamarín alive.

CB: Carlos Gurpegi

Athletic Bilbao, in general, have been poor so far this season. They've come down hard after an incredible campaign last year, followed by a tumultuous summer.

The defence has been porous, with the loss of Javi Martinez, the interception machine, allowing far more pressure on a creaking back line than they were previously accustomed to.

Carlos Gurpegi managed to stop the rot almost single-handedly this weekend, as his no-nonsense approach saw Los Leones come out victorious in an early relegation scrap.

LB: Nacho Monreal

In a round of matches short of star left-backs, Nacho Monreal of Malaga makes the team for the second week running.

Although his team succumbed to a loss in the Vicente Calderon, the Spaniard fizzed in a superb cross for Roque Sant Cruz to square up the game late in the first half.

His defensive contributions were good and he looked tidy in possession once again.

RW: Gabriel Torje

Gabriel Torje struggled for playing time at Udinese last season and accepted a loan move to Granada to improve.

He's been turning in some excellent performances for several weeks now, but the likes of Antoine Griezmann kept him out of the side last round.

Another superb performance grants his entry—not only did he score, but tracked back well to make an astonishing six tackles.

CM: Sami Khedira

Sami Khedira was a fitness doubt ahead of El Clasico and some questioned Jose Mourinho's decision to throw him in to start.

The Portuguese tactician was spot on though, as the German produced one of the best defensive midfield displays world football has seen in recent years.

His partnership with Xabi Alonso was almost unbreakable at times, thwarting the quick feet and silky tricks of Barcelona's midfield at every turn.

Read more about his performance here.

CM: Mario Suarez

Atletico Madrid beat Malaga to move joint top of the La Liga table as for once, the other side of the Spanish capital feels smug.

This team is not just Radamel Falcao vs. the world though, and Los Colchoneros have several players in the engine room that grind out the hard yards so the Colombian can shine.

Mario Suarez had another fine game against Los Boquerones on Sunday evening, seeing more of the ball than any of his midfield colleagues and putting in several successful tackles.

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo broke a record this weekend, becoming the only player in Real Madrid history to score in six consecutive El Clasicos.

However inadequate the defending was, both goals he scored were excellent. The first was a sublime stroke beating Victor Valdes at his near post, while his second was a good run and slotted finish.

ST: Iago Aspas

Iago Aspas continues to impress on his maiden Primera division campaign.

His penalty gave Celta Vigo an early lead against an impressive Sevilla defence containing the likes of Emir Spahic and Cicinho and he seems to be continuing where he left off in September.

If the Spaniard continues to perform like this, he could well fire Os Celestes to survival this season.

ST: Lionel Messi

Although Lionel Messi failed to exert his usual mesmerising influences on the game, his two goals could not have been more important.

The first was scrappy strike, but an important one as he dragged his team back into the game after going a goal down to the better team.

Nothing scrappy about the second though, was there? That free kick was perfection.

Manager: Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho slowed the unstoppable Barcelona train to a grinding halt.

His use of Sami Khedira, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema was brilliant as they caused a makeshift Blaugrana defence nightmares while staying solid themselves.

It was vitally important that Real Madrid did not lose the game as that would have finished the title race after just seven games and many managers would have been tempted to go in all guns blazing.

Not Jose. He knows a draw is a practical and efficient result.