La Liga Player Rankings After Weekend of October 17-20
The first weekend back in La Liga after the international break brought plenty of talking points, whether it was big wins for the big teams or surprise results elsewhere.
Throughout, there were impressive individual performances to take note of, many of which affect our latest bout of player power rankings from Spain's top flight. We've got plenty of movement in our top 20 this week, partly as a result of a number of players from the top teams being rested after international exertions ahead of Champions League fixtures in midweek.
We also have two new entrants and the same top two as last time out.
Other Mentions
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Xabi Prieto drops out of our top 20 this week, having been in since the beginning of the season. His own impact hasn't been able to survive Real Sociedad's poor form, though. Denis Cheryshev also drops out after not having much impact off the bench for Villarreal.
We do have a couple of new entrants this week, both from the big two, but the likes of Fabian Orellana, Ignacio Camacho, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Bacca continue to be on our radar.
20. Gareth Bale, RMA
2 of 21
Change: -3
Real Madrid wideman Gareth Bale was suffering a slight muscle strain and remained on the bench for the duration of Real Madrid's 5-0 win over Levante.
He is not expected to play in midweek either, per the Press Association (via The Guardian), but he could return for next weekend's Clasico.
19. Mario Mandzukic, ATL
3 of 21
Change: -3
Mario Mandzukic played most of the game for Atletico Madrid as they beat Espanyol 2-0, but it wasn't the happiest of games for the Croatian as he simply couldn't find the back of the net, wasting a couple of presentable chances.
He worked hard off the ball, but it was just one of those days when things weren't running for him. With goals continuing to come from elsewhere, it wasn't a problem on this occasion, but Atleti will want him to offer better than his return of two goals in six games so far.
18. Claudio Bravo, FCB
4 of 21
New entrant
Claudio Bravo doesn't always have a tremendous amount to do now as the new Barcelona No. 1, but the Chilean made a couple of important and impressive saves against Eibar in the first half to not only keep his team level but also to preserve his clean-sheet record.
As ridiculous a statistic as the goals scored by his attacking team-mate Lionel Messi is, Bravo deserves similar acclaim for his own—he hasn't yet been beaten as a Barca keeper in what is now eight straight matches since the beginning of the season.
17. Luka Modric, RMA
5 of 21
New entrant
Luka Modric was always likely to enter our top 20 sooner or later, having been the best midfielder around for most of the last campaign, and it seems as though the middle of the park is jelling rather nicely for Real Madrid of late.
The Croatian was sublime against Levante, in part because he was allowed to be, as Real dominated throughout, but his comfort and composure on the ball set the tone for the team's utter stranglehold on the game. He was his usual diligent self in defence, too.
16. Paco Alcacer, VAL
6 of 21
Change: -4
Valencia suffered a surprise defeat to relegation strugglers Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend, losing 3-0 and never looking like they would take the game enough to Depor to give Paco Alcacer and Co. a shot at extending Los Che's unbeaten streak.
Alcacer did hit the woodwork with one "effort"—really the ball just hit him after a cross—but it was about the only time he, or the team, looked remotely like scoring as they sat too deep, didnt break with any conviction and generally failed to look like a team with any real attacking intent.
15. James Rodriguez, RMA
7 of 21
Change: +5
James Rodriguez begins his surge up our rankings after another spectacular and impressive performance in Real's drubbing of Levante.
The Colombian's capacity to ghost past opponents, whether down the channels or cutting infield to pick the ball up centrally, were frequently the catalyst for another wave of Real Madrid attacks. His incisive passing always likely to create chances, too. One goal and one assist continued James' recent productivity in the final third, but he is now looking far more complete and confident in the white shirt in every regard.
14. Diego Alves, VAL
8 of 21
Change: -3
Valencia's day in La Coruna started bad and got worse; Diego Alves, the league's best goalkeeper so far this season, was taken ill in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Yoel.
The on-loan Celta Vigo keeper was making his debut for Valencia, but the side lost 3-0 and missed Alves' reassuring presence at the back.
13. Neymar, FCB
9 of 21
Change: +1
Neymar's amazing exploits with Brazil during the international week didn't stop him from featuring for Barcelona against Eibar, with the Catalan side winning 3-0 in the end as Neymar's impact in the final third continued with a goal and an assist.
It wasn't a terribly good performance all-round from the Brazilian, failing to get involved often enough or find space in the penalty box, but in a somewhat similar scenario to that of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this season, he still managed to be decisive without contributing consistently throughout the 90 minutes.
12. Nolito, CEL
10 of 21
Change: +3
Rising once more, three places this time, is Celta Vigo's wide forward Nolito, who had another important impact from his left-sided starting role in attack this weekend.
Celta came from behind to draw 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao, no bad result at all for Celta, with Nolito grabbing the goal to take his tally for the season to five. Frequently the outball for his side, Celta quickly looked to play the ball forward and support him, with one such flowing move leading to a well-placed strike and goal for the 28-year-old. He could have won the game, too, with a late effort, but he put his shot over the bar when under pressure.
11. Miranda, ATL
11 of 21
Change: -2
Having been away with Brazil during the international week, Miranda was left on the bench for Atletico's win over Espanyol.
His place was taken by Jose Gimenez, his first start of the season, who had a tremendous game and made our La Liga team of the weekend.
10. Sergio Ramos, RMA
12 of 21
Change: -2
In the midst of a run of players now who dropped positions this week as a result of not playing, Sergio Ramos was absent for Real Madrid as a result of a calf injury.
Like Bale, he won't play in the Champions League in midweek, per Marca, but he should feature in El Clasico next weekend.
9. Ivan Rakitic, FCB
13 of 21
Change: -2
Ivan Rakitic was not in the Barcelona squad to face Eibar, purely as a result of coach Luis Enrique's rotational choices.
Barca face Ajax in midweek in the Champions League and then Real Madrid next weekend in El Clasico.
8. Andres Iniesta, FCB
14 of 21
Change: -1
Again, as a result of Barcelona's changes, Andres Iniesta was a substitute and only came on to play the final 35 minutes of the 3-0 win over Eibar.
Though the flow of the game changed soon after Iniesta's introduction, as Barca scored the opener and took control, for once, it wasn't through him that things were altered. Though he was as neat and reliable as ever, in truth, he didn't have a tremendous impact on proceedings.
7. Sergio Busquets, FCB
15 of 21
Change: -3
Like Rakitic, Sergio Busquets was omitted from the squad entirely for the win over Eibar.
The Barcelona holding midfielder was replaced in that position by Mascherano, who usually plays at centre-back for the club.
6. Nicolas Otamendi, VAL
16 of 21
Change: -3
Back to those who did play now!
Nicolas Otamendi has been the leader and a tower of strength and assuredness at the back for Valencia, but he could do little to prevent their first loss of the season, a 3-0 reversal at Deportivo La Coruna.
Los Che sat back too deep, too often, forcing Otamendi and his defence into plenty of clearances but leaving them under unrelenting pressure—eventually telling with the series of goals conceded. His partnership with Shkodran Mustafi might be in its early stages, but the German has not looked assured and Vezo-Otamendi looked the better bet.
5. Toni Kroos, RMA
17 of 21
Change: +8
There is a new rule at Real Madrid: The ball belongs to Toni Kroos, and you may have it only if he says so.
The German has utterly and completely stamped his authority and style on this Real midfield, and to a total extreme, he emphasised that at the weekend as Levante afforded their rivals all sorts of time and space on the ball.
Kroos is always open to receive the ball from his team-mates, and even if his passing is usually excellent, his use of possession at the weekend was immense: 83 passes made, 82 completed, 89 touches and an assist.
4. Koke, ATL
18 of 21
Change: +6
Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke started the season slowly, if neatly, but he has quickly gathered pace to be one of the most telling players in the side once again. He was superb once more against Espanyol, mixing that aggressive running style of his with his technique, tenacity and tendency to attack.
A low, skidding effort almost brought him the game's opening goal, and he was a real asset to his team throughout the match, laying on chance after chance for his team-mates and proving once again why he is such an admired young talent.
3. Jeremy Mathieu, FCB
19 of 21
Change: +2
Jeremy Mathieu has been every inch the perfect signing for Barcelona and Enrique this season: fast over the ground, versatile, strong and consistent. Whether in the centre or on the left, he continues to put in committed and assured performances, and whenever Thomas Vermaelen does recover from injury, he's going to find it very difficult to win a place in the team.
Mathieu partnered Gerard Pique at centre-back against Eibar, and after one or two early scares down the right channel, the duo were largely untroubled.
2. Lionel Messi, FCB
20 of 21
No change
Messi and Ronaldo, Ronaldo and Messi. The top two in the league—in the world for that matter—and Messi stays in second spot this time, after another exciting and decisive display from the No. 10.
Barcelona dominated but struggled to find a way to goal against Eibar until Messi slipped a pass into the onrushing Xavi to score from—a reversal of the scene witnessed so often in recent seasons—before adding a goal of his own to the game and moving to within one of equaling the all-time league goals record.
Next up, El Clasico.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, RMA
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No change
Ronaldo keeps his top spot by virtue of another couple of goals and extremely accommodating opposition who allowed he and his team-mates to run amok, dribbling, shooting and creating chances at will.
The Portuguese forward netted a penalty and a fine individual goal, beating two for pace and strength before finishing with his usual, unhesitating accuracy. Ronaldo now has 15 goals in seven appearances in La Liga.
Next up, El Clasico.
Stats via WhoScored.com unless otherwise noted.
