Barcelona showed class and precision on Round 10 in El Clasico to see off the challenge of eternal rivals Real Madrid as they continue their imperious early season form. As expected, this week’s team has a Blaugrana touch to it with two Barca players included. There are also players from big winners Celta Vigo and Villareal.
In goal in our Team of the Round 10, we stick with Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes who was once again in inspired form as he made crucial saves to thwart a Real Madrid side that looked potent and poised to score in the second half of the El Clasico.
The departing 31 year-old saved from Ronaldo and twice from Khedira at crucial points, making a total of 5 saves. He may be on his way out of the Catalan side as he looks to leave at the end of the season, but Valdes won’t be leaving without a statement it seems.
In defence, Real Sociedad’s Jose Angel makes his Team of the Round debut after a solid and assured performance for the Basque team. The former AS Roma man got a goal, an assist, and was involved in almost everything good going forward for La Real. Athletic Bilbao man Aymeric Laporte wins one of the three slots at centre-back after proving a match winner in his side’s 1-0 victory away at the Coliseum to in-form Getafe.
Certainly a man-of-the-match performance from the 19 year-old who was also involved, making sure his side kept a clean sheet.
Finally at the back, big winners Celta Vigo are represented by Andreu Fontas. The big story of Celta’s match against Malaga was their scoring prowess, but former Barcelona man Fontas makes the cut after delivering a masterful performance at the back, making a total of 7 tackles to ensure the Galicians kept a clean sheet.
In midfield, Atletico Madrid teenage sensation Oliver Torres leads the role-call after a sensational first start for the Rojiblancos, scoring just inside the opening 14 seconds of their game against Real Betis. Much more than the goal though, the 18 year-old played with swagger and abilities that bellies his age. In the heart of midfield, Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic once again features in our Team of the week after his typical all-round play for the Andalusians against Osasuna.
The Croatian scored the opener for his side as they squeezed out a 2-1 victory. His influence in the game though wasn’t limited to just scoring as his 117 touches of the ball was a game high, and his total of 5 shots in the game was only equalled by team mate Bacca. Joining Rakitic in midfield is another Celta Vigo man, Alex Lopez.
The Celta Vigo midfielder was in inspired form in his side’s 5-0 romping of Malaga, scoring 2 goals, the first a strike from outside the area, and the second, a well taken header. Lopez wasn’t done though as he grabbed an assist for his side’s fourth. A near perfect show from the Galician-born attacking midfielder! Rounding up the midfield quartet is Levante’s Nabil El Zhar who had a hand in all three goals for Levante in their 3-0 win against Espanyol as he grabbed 2 goals and an assist.
The former Liverpool man was a constant threat offensively, but also pulled his weight defensively as he managed a total of 4 tackles-a joint game high.
El Clasico man-of-the-match Neymar leads our three man attack by virtue of his goal and assist in the biggest match of the week. As opposed to Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, the Brazilian ace who was playing his debut El Clasico shone like a million stars, and was the start point of every good thing going forward for Barcelona.
In the centre-forward position, Atletico Madrid striker David Villa showed why he’s still one of the most feared strikers in Europe, scoring twice and assisting strike partner Diego Costa with a neatly played through ball. Other than the goal and assist, Villa proved a constant threat to Guillermo Sara in the Real Betis goal.
Rounding our unique Team of the week is Villareal’s Mexican forward, Giovani Dos Santos who ran the show as Villareal got the better of their neighbours Valencia. Dos Santos barely put a foot wrong, and was always on hand to batter the Valencia goal. The former Barcelona forward grabbed a brace, an assist, and struck the frame of the Valencia goal as he was in tormentor-in-chief mode.
So once again, that’s it for our Team of the week. How spot-on is it, or not? Have your say below.
