Picking a La Liga Best XI Without Barcelona and Real Madrid Players
Outside of Spain's top two there are some very good footballers.
But you knew that.
The following slides assemble the best of them into a 4-2-3-1 formation, as it is the most commonly used in La Liga.
It is weighted heavily in favor of how a player has performed this season, and no more than three players per club have made the final 11.
Opinions differ greatly, though, so add your team to the comments section, and let's appreciate the often unnoticed talent...
The 'keeper
1 of 6Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid)
He's only just turned 21 and has arguably been La Liga's most consistent goalkeeper over the last two seasons. He's managed 19 clean sheets this year, as Atleti look set to end the campaign with the league's meanest defense.
Just missed out
Willy Caballero (Malaga)
Kiko Casilla (Espanyol)
Jaime (Real Valladolid)
The Fullbacks
2 of 6Right: Carlos Martinez (Real Sociedad)
La Real lost five of their first eight matches this season. Since right-back Martinez returned to the side, they've lost just three in 25—and he was suspended for one of those. A full-back who often favors substance over style, the 27-year-old has been the best in his position in La Liga this season.
Left: Damia (Osasuna)
They may be 16th and not yet safe from the drop, but if they do go down it won't be due to a leaky back four—they have the league's fourth-best defense. Damia, like Carlos Martinez, is a full-back who offers a valuable defensive contribution. The 31-year-old can play on either the left or the right side too.
Just missed out
Jesus Gamez (Malaga)
Hugo Mallo (Celta Vigo)
Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
The Center Backs
3 of 6Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Sitting in front of Courtois, and also a large contributing factor to Atleti's defense, is Uruguayan Godin. The 27-year-old reads the game tremendously well and, alongside Miranda, has formed the spine of a Los Rojiblancos' side that will finish third and head into the Champions League next year.
Martin Demichelis (Malaga)
Few would have expected Demichelis to have the dominating effect he's had this season. And, despite their drop in form since Champions League elimination, Malaga's season will be remembered for one that was built on a solid defence. The Argentinian, now 32, has returned performances reminiscent of his younger years at Bayern Munich.
Just missed out
Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)
The Midfield Duo
4 of 6Asier Illaramendi (Real Sociedad)
La Real lost six of their first 10 matches, but just two of their next 24; Illaramendi missed the two. The 23-year-old has a huge future in the game and dictates the pace of Sociedad's passing from a deep midfield position. Inevitably, comparisons have been struck with Xabi Alonso—he's far from a carbon copy, though.
Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis)
Los Beticos look set to take the hunt for Europe down to the last day of the La Liga season. At one point it looked like the Champions League was even possible. A large chunk of the success can be attributed to the feet of their Basque midfielder; the 26-year-old controls the play, has scored four goals and created eight more.
Just missed out
Jeremy Toulalan (Malaga)
Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao)
Victor Sanchez (Espanyol)
The Attacking Triumvirate
5 of 6Right: Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad)
Any of La Real's triumvirate could have featured here, but it's the former Arsenal player who does.
The 24-year old Mexican has enjoyed a glittering season, operating predominantly as the right-sided player in the free. He has weighed in with 14 goals, making him the club's top scorer, and contributed eight assists as well.
Central: Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla)
Sevilla, despite only one away win and periods of indifferent form, are still in European contention and large parts of that can be contributed to their talented Croatian playmaker—and their top scorer Alvaro Negredo too.
The 25-year-old has chipped in with seven goals and eight assists and is a constant threat to opposing sides—expect him to feature in this summer's transfer madness.
Left: Isco (Malaga)
Most people know about Isco by now, following a watershed season both domestically and in Europe.
The 21-year-old has scored 11 goals and added four assists, building on last year's contribution and attempting to step into the void left by Santi Cazorla last summer. An exodus is expected at Malaga soon, and there will be no shortage of takers for Isco.
Just missed out
Joaquin (Malaga)
Patrick Ebert (Real Valladolid)
Antoine Griezmann and Xabi Prieto (Real Sociedad)
Pizzi (Deportivo la Coruna)
Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid)
The Lone Striker
6 of 6Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
Perhaps the toughest position to fill, given the invaluable contributions of so many forwards to their sides this summer (see below).
In the end Atletico's Colombian tiger edged it, based on the fact he's scored the most goals and is the league's best No. 9. His 28 league goals have fired Los Rojiblancos into the Champions League, although he may not hang around.
Just missed out
Roberto Soldado (Valencia)
Ruben Castro (Real Betis)
Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)
Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao)
Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
