La Liga Team of the Week: Biggest Names Struggle but Camacho, Musonda Impress
Jornada 25 saw La Liga really shape up at the top end of the table, with Barcelona taking an eight-point lead to put themselves in pole position to retain the title—despite a less-than-perfect display. In fact, not a single player from Barca, Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid make our best XI for the weekend, after each suffered in their own game.
For our team of the week, we take the best individual displays from Spain's top flight and combine the most impressive player from each position into a viable formation, with our selection process seeing us analyse every game to pick out a star XI from the weekend's fixtures.
This time we've opted for a 4-3-3, with only the best players in each position included, leading, as always, to several tough decisions along the way. In addition to individual form, we take into account such factors as opposition quality and overall contribution to the team's display.
GK: Javi Varas, LPA
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Las Palmas stopper Javi Varas was beaten twice as his side lost 2-1 to Barcelona, but there were ample chances on the counter for Barca to ensure the lead was far greater.
Between them and a comfortable scoreline stood goalkeeper Javi Varas, excellent at quickly coming off his line, making brave blocks and coming up trumps one-on-one—particularly against Luis Suarez. The Las Palmas stopper also made a fine save in the build-up to the second Barcelona goal, but he couldn't do much about Neymar hammering in the rebound from close range.
Alphonse Areola, Keylor Navas and Carlos Kameni deserve mentions for their performances, too.
RB: Roberto Rosales, MGA
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Malaga put in a superb performance against Real Madrid and should have taken all three points, but they ended with a 1-1 draw after a profligate display in attack.
While there were a number of standout performers throughout the side for the Andalucians, right-back Roberto Rosales is one of three in particular whose 90 minutes on the pitch were near-perfect.
The defender might have had his hands full with Cristiano Ronaldo, but completely shut down his man by putting in aggressive challenges and pressing high upfield when he had the chance, stopping the supply line to the front three.
Rosales was good on the ball going forward and linked play quickly enough to push through Real's midfield without a problem.
CB: Raul Albentosa, MGA
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Next to Rosales in the centre, Raul Albentosa was an immovable pillar of security for Malaga, repelling everything Real tried to throw in the box, low or high.
A dominant force aerially, Albentosa was monstrous with headed clearances off set pieces—the only one he didn't get to was Real's goal, which was clearly offside and should have been ruled out.
At the other end, he proved just as decisive, coming up with the equalising goal in the second half with a well-taken finish to take a point for his team.
CB: Victor Ruiz, VIL
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The other half of our defence this weekend wears yellow, with two Villarreal players nominated, starting with Victor Ruiz.
Yet again seeing his centre-back partner switched around, the former Valencia man maintained his composure and quality next to Daniele Bonera to keep Atletico Madrid at bay in the 0-0 draw. Atleti were dominant and had plenty of the ball in the attacking third, but it's testament to Ruiz's performance that they barely had a clear sight of goal throughout the game.
Ruiz was quick across the ground to cover the channels when Atleti tried to play their way through then stood up to the physical challenge of Fernando Torres when Los Rojiblancos went more direct. All told, it was a faultless centre-back display.
LB: Eric Bailly, VIL
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To the left of Ruiz was the out-of-position Eric Bailly, who had recently returned from injury. He is usually a centre-back, and has also played on the right, but this time he was called into service on his weaker side.
Not that you'd notice; Bailly was excellent throughout, using his recovery pace and natural inclination to gravitate infield to cut off the supply line toward Antoine Griezmann (playing right wing) and stop crosses coming in, while also providing a good additional aerial presence from set pieces.
Bailly struggled with cramp late on in the match after missing nine of the last 10 Liga games with injury, but he recovered to sprint back and make a vital interception in the closing stages.
CM: Ignacio Camacho, MGA
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Our three-man midfield pays homage to the defensive aspect of La Liga this weekend, with the destroyers and covering players coming off on top against the more creative threats this time.
Ignacio Camacho was the perfect example, as he put in a complete performance against Real Madrid, pressing extremely high upfield to challenge and upset the likes of Toni Kroos and get Malaga on the front foot close to the attacking third.
He won back possession with extreme regularity in the centre but also drifted to the channel to support resulting counters and help the immediate second-press if the ball was lost in the build-up. He was an excellent performer once again.
CM: Alfred N'Diaye, BET
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Real Betis drew 1-1 with Sporting Gijon at home despite dominating most of the match, simply struggling to find the back of the net against their rivals to cap off a good performance.
In the centre of the park, Alfred N'Diaye was dominant, challenging everything and everyone in sight as soon as Sporting cleared the ball or won possession in the middle third. His athleticism and power meant N'Diaye could press high, but also recover by charging back toward his own goal if Sporting escaped the initial challenge.
He used the ball well, supported the build-up play and kept Betis on the front foot in an all-encompassing midfield performance.
CM: Roberto Trashorras, RAY
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Perhaps slightly behind the previous two midfielders in terms of winning the ball in the centre of the park, Roberto Trashorras instead excelled by covering for his defence and supporting play further forward for Rayo Vallecano.
After an early half-hour where Sevilla were by far the better side and had a two-goal lead, Trashorras led the Rayo comeback with a big second-half performance, tackling when necessary but also showing his reading of the game to race behind his full-backs, cover against counter-attacks and play intelligent diagonal balls to set up counter-attacks.
Rayo's comeback meant a 2-2 final score.
RW: Bebe, RAY
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Trashorras protected and spread play, but it was Bebe who was constantly the big outlet and danger-creating threat for Rayo.
The former Benfica and Manchester United man pulled out one of his big displays to slice Sevilla apart, especially on the counter-attack, as he used his pace and skill to beat defenders one-on-one down the right flank and deliver a stream of good balls.
One of his searching crosses found Miku for an historical goal and the equaliser, while he almost scored an incredible winner of his own with a slaloming, solo run but shot just past the far post.
LW: Charly Musonda, BET
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For a third game in succession, Charly Musonda was a top performer for Real Betis as he caused no end of problems for a side in La Liga, with Sporting this time the unfortunate recipients of his speed, close control and fearless approach.
Playing this time on the left wing, Musonda was direct and positive with his running right from kick-off, trying to create space by committing and dribbling past defenders before passing infield or looking to head toward the penalty box from deep.
Twice he almost played in Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Ruben Castro, while he also could have netted himself had the bounce of the ball been a little kinder. Three games into his loan spell, Musonda is making an early case for La Liga's best signing of the January transfer window.
FW: John Guidetti, CEL
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Usually La Liga weekends are filled with impressive strikers and goal-laden games, but this time out, only two sides managed to score more than two: Levante and Celta Vigo.
Of the latter, John Guidetti and Iago Aspas combined in fine fashion in the first hour or so before Celta entirely fell asleep, with Guidetti netting twice to put his side into an unassailable lead—they eventually won 3-2 over Eibar.
Guidetti showed the movement and predatory instincts inside the box that make him such a threat when he's on his game. He now has a goal every 103 minutes on average this term in all competitions, with six in just 551 minutes in La Liga.
