SM
Leverkusen vs. Roma: 13 hrs 22 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week

:Headline: Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week: ID:131877: from db_amp
Sports Mole selects its 11 top performers in La Liga following another enthralling weekend of action.

Real Madrid were the big winners this weekend as Carlo Ancelotti's side moved just one point from the top of the table after thumping basement outfit Real Betis 5-0 in Seville.

Barcelona remain top despite drawing at Levante, however, after Atletico Madrid passed up the chance to move into first position with a 1-1 draw against Sevilla in the Vicente Calderon.

Week 20's action began on Friday evening as Malaga and Valencia played out an entertaining goalless draw, with the away side now 15 points from the top four.

Real Madrid continued their terrific run of form by thumping Betis in the early start on Saturday, before Elche recorded a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano.

Saturday evening's fixtures provided little excitement, however, as Granada drew 0-0 with Osasuna before Espanyol scored late on to beat Celta Vigo 1-0 in Barcelona.

Real Sociedad's top-four hopes took a hit on Sunday as they drew 2-2 at Getafe, but fellow Champions League challenges Villarreal continued their impressive form with a 2-0 win over Almeria.

It proved to be a disappointing weekend for Barcelona and Atletico, however, as the top two could only manage 1-1 draws against Levante and Sevilla respectively.

The game of Week 20 arrived in the Monday night fixture as Real Valladolid threatened to end Athletic Bilbao's unbeaten home record by taking a 1-0 lead into the interval, but the Basque outfit responded to win 4-2 and move back into fourth in the process.

Here, Sports Mole selects its 11 top performers in La Liga following another enthralling weekend of action.

Keylor Navas (Levante)
There is no question that the 27-year-old has been one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga this season. The Costa Rican further enhanced his reputation with a terrific display in Levante's 1-1 draw with Barcelona. The Spanish champions threatened to take all three points with a series of late opportunities, but Navas was on hand to make a number of top-class saves.

Federico Fazio (Sevilla)
Form and fitness meant that Fazio hardly featured in the early part of the season, but it is no surprise that Sevilla's defence has improved on his return. The towering centre-back was again in fine form as his side recorded a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening. He had a certain Diego Costa to contend with, but the Argentine won the physical battle in Madrid.
Pepe (Real Madrid)
Madrid boss Ancelotti recently admitted that Pepe came close to leaving the Bernabeu in the summer, but the Italian will be delighted that he convinced the centre-back to stay. Last season proved to be an indifferent campaign for Pepe, but he has been sensational over the last five months. Another classy performance against Real Betis gains him a spot in this particular team.
Loukas Vyntra (Levante)
Vyntra scored the opener in Levante's 1-1 draw with Barcelona at the weekend, but it was his performance in the back four that impressed the most. Not only was the Greek on hand to make a number of key blocks and last-ditch challenges, he was calm and composed in possession. It was a performance of the very highest order from the 32-year-old.

Pedro Leon (Getafe)
Getafe were 2-0 down inside 16 minutes against Real Sociedad on Sunday, but Leon inspired his side to a 2-2 draw in Madrid. It ended a poor run of form for the home side, who entered the match having failed to score in their last four games. The Getafe skipper was the go-to man on this occasion as his wonderful second-half strike ensured that his team collected a point.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
It seems a long time ago that Modric was criticised in some sections of the media. This season, he has arguably been the best central midfielder in the league. The Croatian didn't score like five of his teammates in Real Madrid's 5-0 win over Real Betis, but he was the catalyst in the middle of the park. Everything good about Madrid's performance came through the midfield maestro.
Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao)
The 24-year-old is almost a carbon copy of a former Athletic Bilbao hero Javi Martinez. Not just his gait and appearance, but the way he plays the game. The Spaniard has emerged into a real star in this exciting Bilbao team and he continued that form in his side's 4-2 win over Real Valladolid on Monday. It was a box-to-box classy display from the midfielder.
Javi Marquez (Elche)
Elche's 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday was not the prettiest of matches, but Marquez was in fine form for the victors. The 27-year-old notched his side's second in the latter stages to secure all the points against the capital outfit. However, it was his work-rate and tenacity that impressed the most as the newly-promoted side moved into 15th position in La Liga.

Imanol Agirretxe (Real Sociedad)
The goals haven't exactly flowed for Agirretxe this season, but he scored a brace in Real Sociedad's 2-2 draw with Getafe this weekend. Both were almost identical as he headed two Carlos Vela crosses into the top corner. Sociedad will want more of the same from the striker over the next few months if another top-four finish is to occur.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Another match, another goal for Ronaldo. That said, this was not just a normal goal. Many wouldn't have attempted to find the back of the net from such a position, but the Portuguese is in a league of his own. His stunning long-range effort opened the scoring in Real Madrid's 5-0 win over Real Betis, but he might have had a few more if Betis stopper Stephan Andersen had not made a number of smart saves.
Ibai Gomez (Athletic Bilbao)
Gomez has struggled to command a regular first-team spot for Athletic Bilbao this season, but that could be about to change. His side needed some inspiration after trailing for long periods against Real Valladolid and the winger stepped forward as he scored twice in their 4-2 win. The visitors to San Mames simply could not deal with the 24-year-old's pace and movement.

amp_article__131877 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-01-22 15:39:32:
html db last update - 2021-02-17 22:55:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Carlo Ancelotti

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .