La Liga Team of the Week: Another Messi Hat-Trick, Real Madrid Back on Track
Gameweek 23 in La Liga was a fantastic one to watch—and could also prove to be a pivotal one in the course of the season, as gaps developed in the title race, the top-four chase and at the bottom in the relegation battle.
For our team of the week it was a weekend of rich pickings in Spain, with a large number of excellent individual performers to choose between. In the end we've plumped for picking as many impressive performers as possible from a wide range of teams in the "middle ground" selections, to go with the three or four absolute standout performers from the weekend—but in almost every position there was a credible alternative candidate.
Here's our Spanish top-flight side of the weekend.
GK: Kiko Casilla, ESP
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In goal we've opted for Espanyol's Kiko Casilla, who preserved a clean sheet at Malaga in a big 2-0 win for his side which moved them up to eighth in the table.
Casilla made a few impressive claims from high balls into the area as Malaga controlled much of the possession of the game, but in the second half had to produce a couple of much more spectacular saves—including from a Nordin Amrabat penalty at 1-0.
In fairness, Casilla's initial rush from goal and spill of a catch created the chance which led to the penalty, but saving it and another effort soon after was key to Espanyol's win.
DF: Marc Bartra, FCB
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Barcelona made a few changes to their team sheet for the home match against Levante, giving a few fringe performers the chance to stake their claim.
Marc Bartra certainly did that; an aggressive and assured performance from the central defender must have put him right at the forefront of Luis Enrique's mind, after he was quick to intercept and make challenges, strong on recovery positions when Levante countered—and even set up a goal for Lionel Messi with a proactive interception and pass into the box.
Speaking with Sport.es (in Spanish), Bartra admitted that he wanted more game time.
"I'd like to have more continuity, but I am where I am and there are very good players here. It's good to win games like against Levante because to win things you have to also win this type of game [not just big ones]. What we want as footballers is to play, those of us who hadn't been playing recently gave our all. We reach the same level or improve. What we want is to not just be a team of 12 or 13 players.
"
With the performance he gave against Levante, Bartra has every reason to hope for greater inclusion between now and the end of the season.
DF: Nicolas Otamendi, VAL
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Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi returned to the starting XI against Getafe and put in another commanding display which showed why he has been one of La Liga's finest over the course of the season.
The Argentine centre-back was impervious to the sporadic, but threatening, attacks of the away side, helping his team to a 1-0 win and preserving their top-four status.
Strong in the tackle and quick to read play developing and step across to intercept, Otamendi was calm, sure-footed and produced a quietly fantastic performance.
DF: Ze Castro, RAY
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We had a few options for the final defensive slot, including Enzo Roco of Elche and Andreu Fontas of Celta Vigo, but we'll opt for Ze Castro of Rayo Vallecano.
The Portuguese veteran was in fine form against Villarreal, surprisingly keeping the away side, chasing a Champions League place, away from goal and unable to carve open too many clear chances.
Ze Castro defended well, was aggressive in stepping out to make the challenge, won a few balls in the air and generally played to his highest level to ensure Rayo took the points, 2-0.
MD: Michael Krohn-Dehli, CEL
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Celta Vigo produced a dominant display to keep up their recent unbeaten mini run, controlling the match completely against Atletico Madrid and winning 2-0 in deserved fashion.
Architect to the win was midfielder Michael Krohn-Dehli, who Atleti simply couldn't get close to and who received the ball countless times in the middle of the park, distributed, got it back, turned play around again, and kept his side well on the front foot.
Striding forward into space in front of the defence, Krohn-Dehli was able to pick a few passes out for team-mates in promising positions: One set up a great chance, spurned by Joaquin Larrivey, before a few minutes later his wonderful disguised pass assisted the second goal, scored by Fabian Orellana.
MD: Vicente Iborra, SEV
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Sevilla dominated and won the game against Cordoba by a commanding 3-0 scoreline, with all the best work coming from midfield as the home team were stronger, better on the ball and more progressive throughout.
Spanish midfielder Vicente Iborra produced another top-class display to constantly pick the ball up in deep areas, travel forward into the final third and spread play both ways, also getting himself toward the box to provide a late-arriving threat.
One such run saw him power in a header, the third goal, from close range to cap a good display.
MD: Isco, RMA
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Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, with chances at both ends but with Real always looking the more dangerous.
Despite it not being the best all-round performance, points mattered most and Isco gave Real Madrid the creativity and thrust they needed from midfield to get the ball to the attacking three this week, unlike last time out against Atletico where there was no time in possession and no service to the forwards.
Isco's running on the ball into space, his ability to pick a pass and his selfless work off the ball make him a vital part of the current side.
MD: Gareth Bale, RMA
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While Isco picked the passes, for the first hour or so of the game in particular it was the endless runs off the ball from Gareth Bale which really stretched Depor and gave Real space to work in and look a constant threat in attack.
For that time, it was Bale at his best—sprinting into space down the channels, outpacing defenders and delivering in the final third nice and early, whether that be a shot, a cut-back or a low cross infield.
He cracked the crossbar with a ferocious shot, laid on a few chances for team-mates and generally was a fantastic outlet for the team despite no goal coming as a result of his bursts forward. A move to the left saw him quieten a little but it was still a welcome return to form for the Welshman.
FW: Neymar, FCB
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We finish up with a front three who all play in Barcelona, starting with FCB's own Neymar.
The Brazilian only played just over an hour against Levante but put more into that time than many forwards are capable of producing in an entire 90. His running with the ball, clever movement inside defenders and ability to receive possession in tight spaces continues to be fantastic traits that the team as a whole, in a great moment for their overall form and confidence, exploit at every opportunity.
Neymar only had one shot in the game and scored from it, a well-taken finish from a narrow angle, but his constant movement and pace made him a big feature of another win for the club.
FW: Sergio Garcia, ESP
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Crossing the city to Espanyol, Sergio Garcia just about gets our nod for the No. 9 role over the likes of Karim Benzema of Real Madrid and Nolito of Celta.
The veteran Spanish forward has been superb in recent weeks as Espanyol have returned to form, with his ability to pull wide to the left and find space to work in a huge feature of the team's ability to transition from defence to attack.
Enduring pace and skill see Garcia skip away from defenders effortlessly, while his final ball and composure around the box are still top class. Garcia scored one on the counter at the end of the game to wrap up a 2-0 win over Malaga.
FW: Lionel Messi, FCB
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Another game, another week with Lionel Messi in our team of the week—and another hat-trick, too.
The Barcelona star was once more at the heart of everything his team did, although he certainly operated far more inside the penalty area against Levante than he has done against more stern opposition of late, where he has dropped off more into a playmaker area, while he was also central as opposed to (very loosely) from the right.
Messi scored twice with his right foot and wrapped up his treble with a penalty, while he also assisted the opening goal for Neymar with a deep cross from the right.
