La Liga Player Rankings After Weekend of September 12-15
After the temporary hiatus caused by the international break, La Liga returned to action at the weekend with some impressive individual and team performances.
Barcelona needed the introduction of Neymar to finally get back into their rhythm against a resilient Athletic Bilbao side, while Atletico Madrid stole the headlines for the weekend with an impressive 2-1 derby victory over Real Madrid. A contest that always used to be so one-sided—did Real Madrid ever lose?—has suddenly become extremely competitive once again.
Elsewhere there were wins for Valencia and Sevilla, along with a series of fine individual performances in the weekend's other matches.
Here are our player rankings after Jornada 3; as always you can expect a certain amount of personnel turnover as players all search for consistency in these early weeks. It's a pretty subjective judgement—and the rankings could all change again pretty soon.
20. Fede Cartabia
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A second start of the season and a second goal for winger Fede Cartabia, as he helped Cordoba to a 1-1 draw with Almeria at the weekend.
The Argentine has scored all of his side's goals so far in the league this season, helping them secure their first two points of the campaign after the understandable opening defeat to Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old could well be a player to keep an eye on this season.
19. Sergio Ramos
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Real Madrid have lost two of their opening three matches, yet Sergio Ramos is the fifth-highest performer in La Liga, according to WhoScored.com. Perhaps that only proves that you cannot always trust statistics, or perhaps it underlines how the Spaniard has often been the one positive element in an otherwise misfiring Real defensive unit so far this term.
Ramos was again generally solid in Saturday's derby game against Atletico Madrid, as the club conceded two poor goals (from their perspective) as they slumped to defeat.
Real Madrid have plenty of work to do, but Ramos can be absolved from some of the blame.
18. Joaquin Larrivey
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Another game, another goal for Joaquin Larrivey, something of a journeyman striker who is carving out a solid reputation for himself in Spain.
The Argentine put Celta Vigo 2-0 up in Saturday's game against Real Sociedad—his second goal of the season—as he also showcased his formidable ability to hold the ball up and link the attacking play.
Celta could not hold on to claim the three points, eventually drawing 2-2, but they will be enthused by Larrivey's start to life at the club.
17. Javi Lara
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Javi Lara, 28, has had such a nomadic career that the only photograph we have of him in our archives is the above shot from a 2012 Copa del Rey match when he was playing for Alcoyano against Real Madrid.
The midfielder, like many of his Eibar team-mates, has made his Liga debut this season—and has performed to a commendable standard over the opening weeks, even scoring Eibar's first-ever goal in the top-flight from a free-kick.
Not long ago a player who could not even progress from Valencia's B side, Lara seems to encapsulate the determination and hunger of his new team.
16. Miguel Angel Moya
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Who knows what is really going on with summer signing Jan Oblak, but for now Atletico Madrid are doing just fine with Miguel Angel Moya in goal.
The Spaniard put in another composed performance in the high-pressure environment of the Madrid derby, even if he was beaten for Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half penalty.
Oblak's situation continues to perplex, but for now the 30-year-old Moya is proving a more than adequate No. 1.
15. Dani Parejo
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Valencia's young midfielder scored for the second game in succession at the weekend, as Valencia added another three points with a 3-1 win over Espanyol.
At 25, the former Real Madrid player should be slowly reaching his peak—his start to this season certainly suggests that might be the case. Valencia will hope he continues such production as they look to build on a start that has seen then acquire seven points from a possible nine.
14. Tiago
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The veteran Portuguese midfielder was a pivotal factor in Atletico Madrid's victory over Real Madrid at the weekend, a goalscoring display that catapults him into this list.
His defensive contribution should not be ignored, however, as he also provided a shielding presence in Diego Simeone's midfield as Los Colchoneros produced one of the results of the season so far.
13. Cristiano Ronaldo
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By his own ridiculously high standards it has not been a stunning start to the season for Cristiano Ronaldo, although by anyone else's it has been pretty reasonable.
Two goals in three games is a solid return, although Ronaldo will be as worried as anyone that his side have lost their last two games—games they would have expected to win.
12. Iker Muniain
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Iker Muniain could not trouble the scorers against Barcelona at the weekend, but it would be pretty harsh to grade him down too much for that.
The flying winger has nevertheless started the season in scintillating form, although it will be interesting to see whether he and his team-mates are able to sustain their high level of performances once the Champions League is added to their schedule.
11. Mario Mandzukic
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Mario Mandzukic did not score in the victory over Real Madrid, but being a lone striker in the modern game can often be about so much more than simply scoring goals. The Croatian was a persistent menace at the Bernabeu, creating the space and avenues for his team-mates to move into dangerous positions. He also proved a major distraction at set pieces, a weakness Real have had all season so far.
Much has been made about Diego Costa's start to life at Chelsea, but Mandzukic has slotted in similarly seemlessly in his bid to replace the naturalised Spaniard.
10. Nicolas Otamendi
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Another game, another solid performance from Nicolas Otamendi—this time as Valencia picked up a 3-1 victory over Espanyol.
The Argentine has started the season as one of the best-performing defenders in La Liga, even if it is some of his attacking team-mates who have stolen most of the plaudits.
9. Grzegorz Krychowiak
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The 24-year-old Polish enforcer has started the season brightly, putting in another composed performance in the holding role as Sevilla beat Getafe 2-0 at the weekend.
Sevilla are unbeaten so far in this fledgling campaign, picking up seven points from a possible nine. Krychowiak has played a key role in that, giving his side a brilliant base—thanks to his partnership with the similarly impressive Carlos Iborra—in the middle of the pitch.
8. Jordi Alba
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While Lionel Messi and Neymar stole the focus in the victory over Athletic Bilbao, it was arguably Jordi Alba who was the game's most impressive performer. The full-back was all action all game, doing his defensive job well but joining the attack with remarkable frequency as Barcelona looked to break down their dogged opponents.
Luis Enrique's preferred Barcelona system seems designed to allow the full-backs plenty of room to push up and down the flanks, and Alba in particular looks well equipped to make the most of that opportunity.
7. Fran Rico
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A goal and an assist in the opening three games would be a decent return for most attacking players, let alone a central defender. Granada's Fran Rico has been a key factor at both ends of the pitch as his side have started the campaign in unbeaten fashion.
The 27-year-old was perhaps the most impressive player on the pitch during the weekend's 0-0 draw with Villarreal, continuing the fine form that saw him provide an assist in the opening-day victory over Deportivo la Coruna and then the late equaliser in the draw with Elche.
6. Paco Alcacer
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After enjoying his first call-up to the Spain side, Paco Alcacer returned to club responsibilities with another goal in Valencia's 3-1 win over Espanyol.
The 21-year-old was a peripheral figure at times during the game, but reacted brilliantly to clinch the points when the chance fell to him late in the game at the new Mestalla.
It is just three games into the new season, but Alcacer already appears poised for a campaign that takes his promising career to the next level.
5. Ander Iturraspe
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Another player seeming to have drawn great confidence from his inclusion in the national team setup, Ander Iturraspe put in another commendable performance against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
It was not enough to help his side to victory, but the 25-year-old was a key reason the game was so close for so long—just as he has been a key reason for Bilbao's positive start to the campaign as a whole.
4. Fabian Orellana
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The Celta Vigo winger continued his lively start to the season at the weekend, opening the scoring in the 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad.
The Chilean tormented the Sociedad defence time and time again at Balaidos, with his goal meaning he now already has three from as many games this season. It remains to be seen if he can possibly keep up that pace, but for now Orellana is one of the most in-form players in Spain.
3. Miranda
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Atletico Madrid continue to prosper under Diego Simeone, with their defensive organisation at the root of everything they aim to achieve.
Miranda perhaps did not have his very best game against Real Madrid at the weekend, but it is hard to be too critical of any defender who helps his side to a victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. The performance continued a fine personal start for the centre-back, after his goalscoring exploits in the earlier win over Eibar.
2. Lionel Messi
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You cannot really leave the Argentine out, can you?
Another game, another dominant performance, another two assists to add to his statistics. Once again Messi was the overriding influence as Barcelona edged to a 2-0 win over a resilient Athletic Bilbao side—a result secured when Neymar came on to finish off Messi's passes.
Barcelona have hit the ground running so far this season, and absolutely no one will be surprised to learn that Messi has been a crucial factor in that.
1. Sergio Busquets
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Sergio Busquets retains his place at the head of these rankings after another solid performance in the 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
With Ernesto Valverde's side proving to be a rarity in its commitment to push forward and attack at the Nou Camp, Busquets' calming presence in the heart of the Barcelona midfield proved additionally important as Barcelona struggled to break down the Basques.
A clean sheet was a testament to the organisation and solidity of the Barcelona back line, and Busquets played his role once again.
With Real Madrid struggling to win the midfield battle since the departure of Xabi Alonso, Busquets' value has only been drawn into sharper relief over the past few weeks.
