igaIt was the round before El Clasico, and the big guns certainly didn’t disappoint. Real Madrid were away in Valencia against Levante and they hit 5 goals past their hapless host. Barcelona meanwhile showed supremacy at the Camp Nou versus newly promoted Eibar.
In goal for this week’s team of the round is the man who was between the sticks in unarguably the weekend’s biggest upset. Deportivo La Coruna goalkeeper Fabricio was in top form in their 3-0 home win at Raizor against high-flying Valencia. The Spanish goalkeeper inspired confidence from behind to ensure The Turks kept a clean sheet against one of La liga’s highest scorers as well as condemn them to their first league defeat this season.
Barcelona defender Dani Alves was back to his best at the Camp Nou on Saturday evening when the table toppers took apart Eibar. The Brazilian was everywhere and made sure the visitors had a trip to forget. Alves once again showed how crucial he is when Barca go forward by providing the assist for his side’s second goal with a well delivered cross into the area which Neymar volleyed home emphatically.
Diego Godin continues to improve with each game, and at this rate, he may probably even have a shout as best defender in Europe. Against Espanyol, he once again to be a stalwart in Simeone’s team making sure Espanyol were anonymous throughout the game.
Godin’s partner at Atleti Jose Gimenez completes a three-man defence for the week after a sterling season debut at centre-back for Atletico Madrid in their 2-0 win against Espanyol.
With every game, it looks like the right move for Real Madrid that they went ahead to sign James Rodriguez after his superb displays at the World Cup. The Colombian has continued in that stead, and on Saturday, he showed his amazing qualities again with a well taken volley and another assist – for Chicharito’s goal – to go with it.
Xavi turned back the years for Barcelona at the Camp Nou against a very much determined Eibar side and led the league leaders to a 3-0 mauling Of the Basque side. The midfield maestro combined well with Messi for Barca’s first goal of the game, and controlled the tempo of the game all through the game.
In the absence of Welsh winger Gareth Bale, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gave Isco the nod to start for the Los Blancos away at Levante; he didn’t disappoint. The former Malaga man scored Real Madrid’s fifth and final goal with a spectacular shot from outside the area, while also providing an assist.
Finally in the midfield quartet, is Getafe midfielder Karim Yoda who broke Real Sociedad hearts with two late goals at the Anoeta. La Real thought they had all three points when Pablo Hervías put them 1-0 up with 8 minutes to play, but Frenchman yoda had other ideas. Two injury-time goals, and he deprived the hosts from taking a single point.
In attack, Lionel Messi moved to within one goal of Telmo Zarra’s all-time scorers’ record with yet another spectacular strike in the win against Eibar. After providing an assist for Barca’s first goal, which Xavi turned in, the Argentine strike was at his menacing best and was ultimately rewarded with a well-taken goal which went in off the post.
Messi’s eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo continued his superb start to the season with two goals for Real Madrid at Levante. There’s no stopping the Portuguese internatonal, and it’s now 15 goals in 7 league games this season for him.
Finally in our team for Match round 8, is Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Uche who netted both of Villarreal’s goals in their 2-0 win at home to Almeria.
