Deportivo La Coruna goalkeeper Fabricio was the Man of the Match in the Galicians’ goalless draw against Cordoba on Friday. The 26-year-old Spanish goalkeeper made save after save, capping it all with a massive penalty save. Safe to say Deportivo would have returned home without any point if they had anyone else between the sticks.
Diego Colotto scored a late equaliser right at the death to deny visiting Villareal all three points, and earn Espanyol a valuable point.
But it wasn’t just that, the Argentine international proved key on the defensive end as he helped keep the rear secure for the Catalan side as well as proving a threat during set pieces.
Diego Godin was probably the only one who covered himself in glory for Atletico Madrid as the champions fell 2-1 at Anoeta against struggling Real Sociedad.
The Uruguayan’s superb clearance in the first half to deny La Real what could have been a first half lead was the highlight of his night
Sergio Ramos was key for league leader Real Madrid, scoring a second goal in their 5-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu against Rayo Vallecano.
It was his 50th goal in a Real Madrid shirt, in his 419th official game; a testament to how key he’s been for the Merengues over the years.
The Spanish international centre back was in unstoppable form, but didn’t hesitate to stop Rayo time and again whenever the visitors threatened.
We may have to wait until the end of the season to evaluate the importance of Jordi Alba’s goal. For now though, we know it was the goal that earned Barcelona all three points away at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos.
Barcelona weren’t at their best, but Jordi Alba came up with the goods, stealing in at the far post late-on for a 2-1 win.
German international Toni Kroos makes the team after enjoying probably his best game in a Real Madrid shirt. Toni Kroos pulled the strings for Los Blancos in midfield and set up their first which Bale turned in. But he wasn’t done. He had enough time to sweep in an exquisite low drive for Real Madrid’s third.
Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Iturraspe played a key role for the struggling Basque side as they held on for a goalless draw at the Mestalla against in-form Valencia.
Finally in midfield is Gareth Bale who returned from injury in style, bagging Real Madrid’s first in their 5-1 win over Rayo. Bale barely played like a man starting his first league game in almost a month, causing havoc time and again in the visitors’ backline.
In attack, Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez leads the way after coming off the bench to set up the two goals –for Neymar and Jordi Alba – that gave Barcelona all three points in Andalusia against an inspired Almeria.
Carlos Vela was on target for Real Sociedad in their crucial 2-1 win at Anoeta against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. The Mexican international who returns to play for his country for the first time in 3 years bent in an unstoppable curler to draw La Real level before teammate Imanol Agirretxe got the winner.
Finally, there’s Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo who just cannot stop scoring (at least in the league). Ronaldo got Real Madrid’s fifth in a 5-1 win, making it 10 successive La liga games in which he’s hit the back of the net.
The Portugese also grabbed two assists – for Toni Kroos’ and Karim Benzema’s goals.
