La Liga Team of the Week: Ronaldo, Messi and Suarez in All-Star Attack
Two big issues remain in La Liga: the title destination and who gets relegated.
Two teams removed themselves from those equations this weekend, with Atletico Madrid losing and being out of the running for the title, and Granada's victory meaning they are safe from the drop this season.
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 3-4-3, with only the best players in each position selected, leading 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: Ruben Blanco, CEL
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Celta Vigo have rotated their goalkeepers in the second half of the season, with neither fully convincing—but Ruben Blanco put in a good performance at the weekend to keep a clean sheet and boost the team's chances of finishing fifth.
A narrow 1-0 victory over Malaga was enough to push Celta above Athletic Club Bilbao and into the top five, which would be a fantastic finishing position for the season.
Blanco made a number of good saves against Malaga, and his handling from crosses was assured and impressive.
DF: Eneko Boveda, ATH
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Athletic could only draw 0-0 with in-form Las Palmas, meaning they dropped a spot to sixth, and there was plenty of work to do defensively to ensure they even managed a point.
Eneko Boveda has had a mixed campaign playing various positions, but he was shifted centrally this weekend and put in an aggressive and committed display to help keep out the Canary Islands side.
He was constantly in place to cover behind his full-back and make interceptions to prevent through balls causing any real danger.
DF: Gerard Pique, FCB
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Amid the goal-fest at the other end of the pitch, it went somewhat unnoticed that Gerard Pique put in a very good defensive performance for Barcelona.
His team won the derby 5-0 against Espanyol at the Camp Nou, and it was mostly a rout once the visitors opted to focus on bad challenges rather than good football.
Earlier in the game, though, there were plenty of counter-attacks for Pique to break up, one or two big challenges to make in midfield and his reading of situations was extremely good.
As usual, Pique's passing into midfield was of the highest order, and he was an accomplished all-round performer.
DF: Sidnei, DEP
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Deportivo La Coruna's form since Christmas has been horrible, but against a crestfallen Villarreal at the weekend they looked back to something close to their 2015 level.
Sidnei put in a huge performance at centre-back to continuously repel everything the Yellow Submarine threw Depor's way, and his relentlessness in the challenge and in attacking balls into the box ensured a first clean sheet for Depor in 22 games.
They're safe, up to 13th and can play the final day in more relaxed circumstances knowing they could, improbably, finish in the top half.
MD: Jonny, CEL
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Into midfield and we're using artistic licence to give our team some balance; Celta Vigo's Jonny played right-back at the weekend, but we'll use him a little further forward.
He was one of Celta's stand-out performers thanks to his defensive solidity, and then an ability to burst forward and make things happen in the attacking half.
Instead of relentlessly crossing, Jonny was smart in his build-up play, looking to cut infield and make passes into the box or get into shooting positions himself to ensure Celta remained a threat in attack.
MD: Jefferson Lerma, LEV
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Jefferson Lerma and his Levante team have already been relegated, but he has done his reputation no harm at all this season and will be an interesting pick-up for one of the top-flight sides over the summer.
Against Atletico Madrid, he was instrumental in protecting the defence by packing out the midfield zone, then helping to launch late—although sporadic—counters by winning possession and passing quickly forward.
Lerma's athleticism and physicality overcame any attempts by Atleti to play around him, and the 21-year-old can be happy with his overall display and season, despite the team's relegation.
MD: James Rodriguez, RMA
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Given another chance and again responding with a good performance, James Rodriguez must be thinking he can't really do too much more to show Zinedine Zidane he should play more often.
The Colombian has impressed more often than not with his infrequent starts and the weekend was no different: an inventive, incisive performance from midfield saw him create one of Real Madrid's goals in the 3-2 win over Valencia and put in a generally good 90 minutes.
He was hard-working as well as offensively effective, ensuring Real didn't miss Luka Modric too much, but James likely knows he'll be back on the bench for the UEFA Champions League final regardless.
MD: Isaac Cuenca, GRA
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What a big game from a player who, for too long, has flattered to deceive.
Isaac Cuenca really came through for Granada at the weekend, scoring twice and creating another goal to send his side to a 4-1 win away to Sevilla. The victory also ensured his team's survival in La Liga.
The winger was a threat throughout the game with his pace and direct running, an ability to beat defenders and, for once, with his end product.
Cuenca only has a contract with the club until the end of the season; perhaps this game will earn him another campaign with Granada.
FW: Lionel Messi, FCB
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Into the front line and it's possibly the first-choice fantasy attacking lineup for most La Liga viewers, starting with Lionel Messi from the right.
The Barcelona man kicked the game into life against Espanyol with a brilliant curling free-kick, and his team never looked like losing control from that moment onward.
Messi was individualistic enough to bring his own brand of creativity to the game, but he also played his usual selfless part in creating opportunities for others.
He now totals 26 goals for the campaign and his return to form has coincided with Barcelona's own, leaving them one game from the title.
FW: Luis Suarez, FCB
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Centrally it's the current Pichichi, Luis Suarez.
The striker hit two more goals and laid one on for another assist against Espanyol, as he mercilessly hunted down the team who were so aggressive toward him earlier on this season.
Suarez has 37 in La Liga this term, four clear ahead of his nearest challenger with one game to go and has been an unstoppable inspiration for Barca all season.
FW: Cristiano Ronaldo, RMA
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Completing the all-star cast in the front line is Cristiano Ronaldo, similarly unstoppable from the left of Real Madrid's attack this weekend.
He scored two of the three goals against Valencia, one a particularly fantastic effort, and now has 33 for the season after hitting top gear in 2016.
His running behind the defence and making himself available as an out-ball meant Real could switch from defence to attack in an instant.
Ronaldo was afforded a big reception when subbed late in the game, and he continues to drive the team on toward a potential double trophy haul.
