La Liga Player Rankings After Gameweek 33, April 24-27
As La Liga draws to a close, a big week sees each side play three times over the next seven or eight days, starting with Gameweek 33 over the most recent weekend.
We've analysed each game and the performers within, looking at the top displays to produce our latest Liga player rankings chart. For once, there weren't that many big movers, especially at the top end, with many of Spain's top talents showing their consistency by all having excellent games last time out.
Here is the updated top 20, factoring in only the weekend matches.
Mentions
1 of 21
Just the one change to our 20 this week, as injured Valencia forward Pablo Piatti drops out after missing another game.
On the watchlist, with the top name just missing out on inclusion this week:
Sofiane Feghouli, VAL
Jose Gaya, VAL
Xabier Etxeita, ATH
Mikel San Jose, ATH
Javier Mascherano, FCB
Ever Banega, SEV
20. Nolito, CEL
2 of 21
New entrant!
Nolito ended on the losing side as Celta Vigo were eventually overcome 4-2 by Real Madrid. However, Celta certainly gave a tremendous account of themselves, and Nolito was one of their real stars.
The left-sided forward ran Dani Carvajal ragged, dribbling inside the penalty box and looking to create scoring chances for his team.
He netted the opening goal of the game and was a threat throughout, keeping Celta in with a chance of the points until the fourth Real goal went in.
19. Tiago, ATM
3 of 21
No change
Tiago put in a good shift for Atletico in their 3-0 win over Elche, though it was a game in which his side largely dominated, so he didn't come under much pressure in the centre.
The Portuguese was as reliable as usual with his distribution, won the ball when he needed to and kept Atleti pushing forward—but it was a bit of a stroll all told.
18. James Rodriguez, RMA
4 of 21
Change: +2
James Rodriguez has been on fire for Real Madrid since returning from injury, and the win over Celta showed no deviation from that form.
The Colombian continues to show tremendous drive and ambition in his play moving from the middle to the final third, creating chances for those ahead of him and looking to get strikes away when he finds space in front of the defence.
His goal against Celta had some fortune but owed more to his harassing the opposition and supporting the attack.
17. Michael Krohn-Dehli, CEL
5 of 21
Change: +1
Celta's midfield maestro Michael Krohn-Dehli was a big part of the reason his team troubled Real Madrid as much as they did on Sunday.
The Danish playmaker was quick to close down the opposition, was always on hand to take possession and move it onto the front three and supported the attack then from slightly deeper.
Against such players as Toni Kroos and Asier Illarramendi, Krohn-Dehli more than held his own as his team dominated possession in long spells.
16. Dani Parejo, VAL
6 of 21
Change: +1
Valencia's game on Monday night saw them beat Granada 4-0 to move back up into fourth place.
A strong performance from the entire team meant Dani Parejo had a relatively easy night in midfield in terms of not being closed down, seeing plenty of the ball and helping his side maintain pressure throughout.
He netted a penalty and was yet again one of the most consistent performers on the field for Los Che.
15. Sergio Asenjo, VIL
7 of 21
Change: +1
Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo kept a clean sheet in his team's 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad.
It wasn't a match with too many chances at either end, but after the first half, in which Asenjo did have to make a few stops, most of the attacking action was at the other end.
It was a relatively calm game for him, but he did well in all other aspects, including distribution, taking the ball in the air—bar one occasion—and organising his defence.
14. Isco, RMA
8 of 21
Change: -2
Isco was not one of the Real Madrid players who made the most of the space available on the pitch during what was an end-to-end match against Celta Vigo. He saw plenty of the ball but was not as quick with his distribution as he could have been.
He lost out to the Celta midfield players in several one-on-one battles and was slow in making recovery runs when the opposition counter-attacked.
His form has not been comparable to James Rodriguez over the last few weeks, and he needs to step up a little more as his team's search for trophies nears its conclusion.
13. Marcelo, RMA
9 of 21
No change
Marcelo had a better time of things than fellow full-back Dani Carvajal in Real Madrid's match against Celta Vigo, but he was still far from his best at Balaidos.
He was given a very tough examination of his defensive credentials by young forward Santi Mina, who ran in behind the Brazilian a number of times, including for his goal in the first half.
Marcelo improved after the break with his ability to stop runs infield, and he also linked well at times on the counter.
12. Toni Kroos, RMA
10 of 21
Change: +2
Toni Kroos was more influential in the same match, being one of the few midfielders in the game who actually made the effort to cover in front of his defence and put in the odd challenge in important areas.
On the ball, as ever, Kroos was progressive and reliable, impressive with his set pieces. He also scored a vital goal for his side with a late run into the box from deep, finishing well with a first-time shot.
11. Karim Benzema, RMA
11 of 21
Change: -1
Karim Benzema was injured and did not play for Real Madrid against Celta Vigo.
10. Gerard Pique, FCB
12 of 21
Change: +1
Barcelona central defender Gerard Pique had a good game against Espanyol, mixing his usual traits of steady and committed defending with good on-the-ball ability when helping to bring play into the midfield zones.
Pique made a few good recovery challenges inside his own box, was strong aerially and formed a good partnership with Javier Mascherano, helping Barcelona to a clean sheet and a 2-0 win in the derby.
9. Diego Godin, ATM
13 of 21
No change
Spoiler alert: If you're familiar with last week's column, then you're going to have the sense of deja vu, as none of the top nine have changed position. That is for one very good reason—they all had tremendous weekends.
Diego Godin epitomised that with a rock-solid display for Atletico Madrid in their 3-0 win over Elche.
Even with the game won and his team cruising, the sheer determination of the Uruguayan saw him launch into a number of blocks and challenges to ensure Atleti kept their clean sheet. A very dominant display.
8. Neymar, FCB
14 of 21
No change
Barcelona's Neymar had a big impact in the opening stages of the derby against Espanyol, scoring one of their two first-half goals and making a huge number of enterprising runs to get into good positions.
For once, though, where Neymar let himself down was in his composure and judgement with regard to finishing: He wasted a large number of chances to add to the scoresheet, either by way of a poor finish or not passing to a better-placed team-mate.
Still, he was a major threat throughout and a good performer.
7. Koke, ATM
15 of 21
No change
Koke returned to the flank of Atletico Madrid's midfield this weekend, still getting on the ball plenty and looking to dictate play for his team—just not from the middle of the park.
He was as industrious as ever off the ball, working to close down Elche when they counter-attacked and making his usual clutch of tackles to help Atleti win back possession and drive forward once again.
Koke created a number of shooting chances for his team by way of his ability to pick passes into space from deep and support thereafter. He also picked up a fairly customary booking.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo, RMA
16 of 21
No change
Cristiano Ronaldo didn't score but still had a telling impact in Real Madrid's win over Celta Vigo.
The Portuguese star's driving run down the channels led to Real getting back into the game, with defenders attracted to his runs leaving space elsewhere for Ronaldo's team-mates to attack. His dribble and cross also led to Kroos' goal.
Ronaldo wasn't as flashy and full of shots as he often is, but this was an infinitely more team-based performance and was every bit as effective.
5. Antoine Griezmann, ATM
17 of 21
No change
Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann has somehow almost changed his game to be more effective as a penalty-box predator than a skilful and pacy creator running from deep.
Now well into the 20s for league goals this season, Griezmann added a brace in the 3-0 win over Elche with two instinctive and brave finishes from close range. Unmarked as a result of his impressive movement once again, the French attacker made the most of his space to attract passes from team-mates and, ultimately, seal another three points for Atletico.
He's the league's third-top scorer this term.
4. Diego Alves, VAL
18 of 21
No change
Diego Alves just isn't putting a foot—or more precisely, a glove—wrong at the moment, so there's no reason for him to drop out of the top five of our charts.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has comfortably been the best and most consistent in La Liga this term and clocked up yet another clean sheet—his third in five games—in the 4-0 win over Granada on Monday. He didn't have a single shot on target to deal with, but he handled everything well, took the ball aerially with aplomb and confidence and distributed quickly for his team.
3. Luis Suarez, FCB
19 of 21
No change
One of the most in-form forwards anywhere in Europe once again, Luis Suarez continues to grow in importance to the Barcelona attack.
He was tremendous with his work rate and link play in particular against Espanyol, setting up one of his team's two goals to take his assist tally in La Liga into double figures.
At times, he Uruguayan is unstoppable with the ball at his feet and with his own fiery drive, and Espanyol certainly had no answer to him.
2. Lionel Messi, FCB
20 of 21
No change
Lionel Messi was again in scintillating form as he helped Barcelona to a 2-0 derby win over Espanyol. He scored one and created a few other chances for the team with his raking right-to-left floated passes, his propensity to drop deep to pick up the ball and, of course, his willingness to dribble and line up shots.
With Barcelona's front three in such good combined form, there are few teams who will be able to withstand them.
Espanyol weren't one of them and can probably consider themselves fortunate that Jordi Alba was dismissed, which made Barcelona take their foot off the pedal.
1. Nicolas Otamendi, VAL
21 of 21
No change
Still top of our charts is Valencia central defender Nicolas Otamendi. He is a big part of the reason that Alves kept another clean sheet, as he fought and battled for every ball that came the way of Los Che's penalty box.
Granada didn't manage a single shot on target during the 4-0 defeat, which was thanks in no small part to Otamendi's huge number of stretches and clearances just before the space and time appeared for a shot at Alves' goal.
The Argentinian is a pillar of consistency, defensive awareness and aggression, and it's not too far-fetched to suggest he is the main reason Valencia will stay as favourites for a top-four finish ahead of Sevilla.
