La Liga Team for Week of April 24-27: Javier Hernandez Fires Real Madrid to Win
Gameweek 33 in La Liga saw a shedload of goals and excitement in Spain's top flight, with the top five all taking impressive victories as they battle for titles, positions and European spots.
Assessing the displays of individuals over the course of the weekend, we've picked out the star performers as usual—but whereas we normally find a range of abilities and names from throughout the league who shine, this weekend was almost always about the top teams and their stars.
Here is our Liga team of the weekend.
GK: Ruben, ALM
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Goalkeeper Ruben is our one nod of appreciation to those lower down the league.
The Almeria stopper was in fine form to make a number of crucial reaction stops as his side beat Eibar 2-0 in a vital relegation battle.
Early on with the scores level, he diverted away a misdirected header from his own defender, saved a deflected shot low to his left and made other more routine saves. Later in the game with his team up by just one goal, he made two fine saves to deny Federico Piovaccari.
An important clean sheet and three points.
DF: Jesus Gamez, ATM
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In defence we start with Atletico Madrid's right-back Jesus Gamez, who had an impressive game against Elche as Atleti ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.
Gamez was his typically strong self at the back, making challenges quickly and stopping crosses coming over, while also looking to attack and contribute in the final third.
His distribution was good, he sent over a few dangerous crosses and was a big part of both the clean sheet and the victory overall.
DF: Daniel Carrico, SEV
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Sevilla took a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano which, briefly, lifted them up to fourth place in the table.
The centre-back was in imperious form against an outfit which often attacks at will and in numbers, stopping plenty the away team threw at them alongside Timothee Kolodziejczak. Rayo had plenty of shots in the game, but few were from areas of quality as Carrico and co kept them out of range.
Carrico made a number of important clearances around the edge of his own box and was effective the other end too, scoring Sevilla's second goal just before the break.
DF: Nicolas Otamendi, VAL
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Valencia shot back up to fourth place above Sevilla on Monday night when they thumped Granada 4-0.
Predictably, the league's best centre-back this season was in typically assured and aggressive form: Nicolas Otamendi was far too good for the best that Granada, soon to be relegated, could send his way.
In the air and on the ground, the Argentine was quick to jump in and make proactive challenges, stopping Granada before they even had a chance to form quality shooting chances, while he was also good with his distribution from the back.
DF: Aymeric Laporte, ATH
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Athletic Bilbao beat bottom club Cordoba 1-0, taking the points thanks to an own goal in a game which flowed from end-to-end but had little final-third quality in the final pass or shot.
Aymeric Laporte helped Athletic maintain their clean sheet, working hard on the left side of the central defence areas to close out Cordoba's wide forwards, head clear endless balls into the box and also get in the way of one dangerous-looking shot.
It wasn't a spectacular display, but most certainly a committed and effective one to help Athletic to a second win in a row.
MD: Sergio Busquets, FCB
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As we move into midfield and attack, the rest of our team of the week is filled by players from the top three sides, starting with Barcelona's Sergio Busquets.
The holding midfielder was at his brilliant best against Espanyol, dictating the tempo of play from deep for his side and recycling play quickly without losing the ball. When Barcelona went down to 10 men and Espanyol started to have a bit more of the ball on the counter, Busquets was frequently the one to win play back and keep his side on the front foot.
A great all-round display.
MD: James Rodriguez, RMA
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James Rodriguez is such a key player for Real Madrid whether in the 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, with his impact against Celta Vigo only once more highlighting his importance.
His goal was pure James: A break from deep, finding space to move into and getting a shot away early. He got some luck with the deflection, but his instance on making those runs and finding dangerous areas means he will always be a threat on goal.
He was involved in build-up, supporting counter-attacks for his team and generally providing that extra bit of quality which ultimately saw Real beat Celta 4-2.
RF: Lionel Messi, FCB
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There were at least half a dozen worthy candidates of the front four spots for our team, but the big two both won their slots.
Lionel Messi was imperious for Barcelona in the first half against Espanyol, constantly dropping in off the right wing to pick up the ball in deep areas, surge forward and pick excellent passes to find the runs of Neymar, Luis Suarez or Jordi Alba.
He could have had three assists before he eventually found the pass which split the defence for a goal—then scored himself before the break. Another top all-round display from Messi.
LF: Cristiano Ronaldo, RMA
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The two biggest candidates for the left-sided role in the attack both came in the same game: Nolito and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Celta vs. Real Madrid match.
We're opting for Ronaldo for his big impact on the eventual scoreline, his selfless running and some big moments which helped his team to victory, though Nolito was a constant menace with his dribbles, creating danger at the other end and his goal.
Ronaldo fashioned Toni Kroos' goal with a fine driving run and cut-back, was involved consistently throughout on the counter-attack and really worked hard off the ball this time to make sure his side won the all-important points.
FW: Javier Hernandez, RMA
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For our strike pairing, Javier Hernandez of course has to get the nod for one of the places.
Chicharito netted a brace to see off Celta, two clinical finishes with great movement before them which kept his team in the title race.
It has been a fantastic week or two for the Mexican striker and he deserved his goals for non-stop movement, chasing down the defence and persistence in finding gaps between the defence in the game.
FW: Antoine Griezmann, ATM
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The final spot was a straight battle between Luis Suarez of Barcelona and Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid, with the latter just edging out the Uruguayan. Either selection would have been merited, but Griezmann's impact directly won his team the match and his fine run in front of goal continues.
The French forward has 22 league goals now this season and has really developed into an instinctive penalty-box threat for Atleti, just as much as an asset in build-up play.
Griezmann scored the first and the third in the 3-0 win over Elche, showing determination, finishing ability from close range and of course his recent consistency, to keep Atleti top of the race for the final Champions League spot.
