John Dillon
Goals were thin on the ground in La Liga this weekend, just 16 scored in total. That being said there were some intriguing games played out, with some impressive individual performances.
We have decided to go for a 4-4-2 formation, rewarding those who helped their sides pick-up valuable points in Jornada 21.
Goalkeeper: Jaume Doménech (Valencia)
The Spanish netminder was a capable pair of hands when called upon in Saturday’s 2-0 home victory against Barcelona at the Mestalla.
Barcelona were dangerous and looked threatening particularly in the second-half, but a solid showing from the defence and Doménech behind them kept the Blaugrana at bay.
This was a complete contrast to the previous weekend’s away tie at Mallorca, where Los Che conceded four goals.
Right-Back: Nacho (Real Madrid)
The 30-year-old who has spent the entirety of his career at the Bernabeau, scored the match winning goal in a 1-0 win away at Real Valladolid.
The Madrid-born right-back was a threat going forward but also put in a solid defensive display as Los Blancos kept a clean sheet, limiting the home side to half chances.
Nacho was deputising for regular full-back Dani Carvajal who was suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season last time out at home to Sevilla.
Centre-back: Pedro Bigas (Eibar)
The Spanish centre-back was a commanding presence in the heart of the Eibar defence, following up last week’s home victory against Atletico Madrid with a point away at Celta Vigo.
The home side had 66% possession and created a number of goalscoring opportunities in a game where the Basque visitors had to hang in there for the most part.
Bigas led the way on this front, frustrating Vigo on various occasions, helping his side gain their fourth point over the last two gameweeks, as they bid to avoid relegation trouble.
They are in 15th position after the weekend.
Centre-back: Aridane Hernandez (Osasuna)
The 30-year-old Spaniard put in an impressive showing in the middle of the Osasuna defence in Friday night’s 2-0 home win against Levante at El Sadar.
In a game, which will unfortunately be remembered for the injury sustained by Osasuna attacker Chimy Avila, Osasuna were solid throughout defensively and deservedly took the three points.
This was Osasuna’s first win in the league since December 1 and they now occupy 10th place in the standings after the weekend.
Left-Back: Sergio Reguilón (Sevilla)
The 23-year-old Real Madrid loanee was in fine form in Saturday’s all Andalusian clash between home side Sevilla and Granada at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
In a game which Sevilla won 2-0, both full-backs Reguilón and Jesus Navas assisted goals in the victory, Navas crossing for Luuk de Jong’s opener and Reguilón playing in Nolito to extend the lead before the break.
A goal and three assists so far this season for the Madrid-born defender.
Midfield: Geoffrey Kondogbia (Valencia)
The 26-year-old French midfielder put in a massive shift at the base of the Valencia defence in the home win against Barcelona.
Kondogbia was relentless throughout, breaking up attacks and also initiating counter-offensives from midfield in a hard-fought victory.
Barca had most of the possession as was expected, yet couldn’t create clear-cut opportunities as Valencia defended deep and were given constant protection from the former Inter Milan, Monaco and Sevilla player.
Midfield: Portu (Real Sociedad)
Real Sociedad were comfortable 3-0 winners at home in Anoeta against Mallorca on Sunday evening.
Portu, with two assists and a goal to his name was the game’s standout player, setting up Alexander Isak to open the scoring and Ander Barranetxea shortly afterwards.
He then rounded off the scoring in the 81st minute to cap a fine personal display.
The 27-year-old former Girona midfielder was in inspirational form and has six goals and seven assists for the season after the weekend.
Midfield: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Toni Kroos was an assuring presence in the middle of the park for Real Madrid in Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Castille and Leon based side Real Valladolid.
Kroos’s deliveries from set-pieces were of a high quality throughout the game, his cross from the right-hand side headed home by Nacho 12 minutes from time to claim the win.
Los Blancos had a Casemiro goal correctly ruled out by VAR in the first-half, Kroos again finding his man from a free-kick on the right.
Two goals and four assists for the 30-year-old former Bayern Munich midfielder in the current campaign.
Midfield: Manu Trigueros (Villarreal)
Villarreal won their sixth consecutive away game in all competitions against Deportivo Alavés on Saturday evening at Mendizorroza.
A last minute winner scored by teenage substitute Fernando Niño, who was just on the pitch, proved to be the difference.
Niño was played in by Trigueros to despatch the chance beyond Fernando Pacheco, to snatch all three points at the death.
The 19-year-old match-winner came on to replace Carlos Bacca who scored the yellow submarines first goal.
A goal and three assists for Manu Trigueros from eight starts so far this campaign.
Forward: Maxi Gómez (Valencia)
In a Gameweek where standout attacking performances were thin on the ground, Maxi Gómez was an exception to this trend.
Two goals in the 2-0 win on Saturday for the 23-year-old Uruguayan forward, which took his goal tally to nine for the season in La Liga.
He could have had the match ball but had an early penalty well saved by Marc Andre Ter-Stegen in the Barca goal.
The former Celta Vigo striker is four goals shy of the 13 he scored in the entire campaign for the Galicia-based side last season.
It has taken him no time to settle at the Mestalla and has proven to be an important signing for Albert Celades’s side.
Forward: Luuk de Jong (Sevilla)
The 29-year-old Dutch striker put the home side 1-0 to the good in the 2-0 win against Granada in the 11th minute, heading home a wonderful cross from former Manchester City wide man Jesus Navas.
Four goals in La Liga so far this season after 15 starts for de Jong who scored 28 for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivise last season.
The forward now has two in the last two league games and coach Julien Lopetegui will be hoping de Jong can continue this recent good run of form in order to help Sevilla consolidate their spot in the Champions League placings.
They are in third position after the weekend’s games.
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