La Liga Team of the Week: Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Secures a Spot
La Liga is now halfway through the 2014-15 season after the weekend's matches saw almost every side reach the 19 tally—just Real Madrid and Sevilla have a game in hand.
As usual, we've trawled through the performances of each game in Spain's top flight to round up our team of the week, and it will be no surprise to anyone who caught Barcelona's destruction of Deportivo La Coruna that hat-trick hero Lionel Messi makes the grade.
But who figures alongside him?
GK: Sergio Asenjo, VIL
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Here's a clue as to the types of teams whose players will be figuring this week: the top six in La Liga all won, while eight of the 10 teams in the bottom half all lost.
In goal, we've gone for Villarreal's Sergio Asenjo, who is enjoying a fine season, after he made a superb early save from close range and went on to keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Asenjo also stopped Inaki Williams later in the match while his team only led by a single goal. He just gets the nod over Diego Marino, who impressed for Levante despite a 1-0 loss to Elche.
DF: Josema Gimenez, ATM
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Atletico Madrid centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez returned to the starting XI for their league game against Granada, suggesting that he has done more than enough for manager Diego Simeone to now consider him ahead of the fit-again Miranda in the first team.
It's no surprise either: The Uruguayan has been excellent and put in another solid, consistent showing in the 2-0 win, defending with aggression and a great reading of the game.
He put in a number of tackles and challenges inside his own penalty area, won the ball high up the field to help keep the pressure on the away side and was even more noticeable in winning the ball in the air than team-mate Diego Godin.
DF: Daniel Carrico, SEV
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Sevilla's good season has been in part down to their reliable defensive performances, with Daniel Carrico excelling at the heart of the back line.
He was once more strong and aware in the big match against Malaga at the weekend, in which Sevilla triumphed 2-0, solidifying their grip on fourth place.
Carrico isn't one for making huge tackles, but he certainly knows how to win the ball, does well in the air and steps across to cut out attacks before they become particularly dangerous. He has been one of the most impressive defenders since the resumption of La Liga.
DF: Marcelo, RMA
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Marcelo has been in excellent form for Real Madrid for most of the season and continued that theme with a good showing in his team's straight-forward 3-0 win over Getafe.
A first half which was slow and lacking inspiration was briefly lit up by the Brazilian's strong runs down the channel and his willingness to receive the ball in good areas, trying to link up with his team-mates. That was complemented by strong defending.
The left-back was subbed to great acclaim late in the match, and he is a key part of the Real side.
MD: Lucas Vazquez, ESP
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Into midfield and actually another Real Madrid player—on loan Lucas Vazquez, who has been impressing at Espanyol this term.
The tricky right-winger was at his fluid and exciting best at the weekend, being heavily involved in his team's domination and eventual 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. Vazquez's delivery from out wide or running into the channels is reliable and consistent, though his dribbling and decision-making is not always at the same level.
This time it was, though, and he terrorised Celta throughout, with his pace and close control too much for them to handle.
MD: Gabi, ATM
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Atletico Madrid weren't spectacular in beating bottom club Granada, but they got the job done without too much fuss in a 2-0 win.
Central midfielder Gabi looked somewhere back to his best a few weeks ago, and this time out, he picked that up again, dominating the centre of the park and making sure his side kept pressure, possession and influence on the match.
His set pieces were excellent, he won the ball quickly in midfield and made sure the attackers in his team had plenty of options to pass to.
MD: James Rodriguez, RMA
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Back to Real Madrid now, and their standout performer in the 3-0 win over Getafe was Colombian star James Rodriguez.
He was always on the ball, driving forward and looking to open up gaps for his team and make possible the intricate linkups which can open defences. He and Isco played a similar game, but where the Spaniard made wrong decisions too often, in this case, James was near-perfect.
James was involved in most of Madrid's best play: He consistently found intelligent through passes and claimed two assists.
MD: Ivan Rakitic, FCB
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Ivan Rakitic produced his best display for Barcelona in months at the weekend, playing a starring role in the centre of midfield as his side dispatched Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 away from home.
The Croatian was in and out of the side over the October-December period, but he has started and excelled in the past two matches. Against Depor, he continually found space in the attacking midfield area, especially in the right channel, and he set up two of his side's goals with his vision and execution.
It shouldn't be a huge surprise to see the team hitting form with the midfield supply line returning to the Rakitic-Andres Iniesta partnership—the same one which saw Barca start the season in wonderful form before rotation kicked in.
FW: Lionel Messi, FCB
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Barcelona's hero of the match and best performer was once again Messi.
Operating in his now-customary free role from the right, Messi roved all over, dropped deep to pick up possession and was a constant threat to Depor with his drives infield, dribbling intent and ability to quickly swap passes and get in the box.
He scored a hat-trick in the 4-0 win, showing anticipation and his renowned composure to score very different types of goals and lead his side to three points.
FW: Tomer Hemed, ALM
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Just about as different a style of striker from Messi as you can get, Almeria's Tomer Hemed is a direct, brawny bruiser who allows his team to play off of him, getting others involved in attacks and creating danger from at-times aimless, hopeful balls into the box.
He used his physicality and good running across defenders to perfection in his team's 3-2 loss to Valencia this weekend. He scored twice simply by being able to react and anticipate where the ball would come and then being strong enough to hold off the defender.
His performance was supereffective, and it almost gained his team a huge point before a late goal consigned Almeria to defeat.
FW: Denis Cheryshev, VIL
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Our final choice is not just in the team of the week, but he was also arguably the player of the week: Villarreal's Denis Cheryshev, who has been in scintillating form since the return from the winter break.
Villarreal beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at the weekend, with Denis being a menace from start to finish.
His passing in behind the defence is overlooked at times because he's such an explosive player running at the back line himself. He set up a number of chances for his team with quick passes and one-touch balls to Luciano Vietto and Co.
Cheryshev also scored the opener of the game after a tremendous run, a great first touch and impressive composure to round the keeper, before hitting the post later on with a near-post header. An excellent all-round display from the Russian, who is on loan from Real Madrid.
