Spanish Football News Blog

There were some great displays in the opening round of the Primera season and Goal.com has weighed up which were the best and named a team that would give any side a game...

4-4-2

Goalkeeper:
Jacobo (Real Valladolid)

Made an impressive claim to become the club's first choice keeper after spells with Numancia and Getafe by making seven crucial saves to earn his side a point against Almeria even after Nivaldo had been sent off.

Defenders:
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Despite playing for 120 minutes on a questionable pitch only three days earlier in the European Super Cup, the Brazilian full-back produced another energetic performance against Sporting. His tireless running tormented the Asturians throughout and he set up two goals with his crossing ability.

Cata Diaz (Getafe)
Los Azulones attacking players may have won all the headlines for the team's impressive display in their 4-1 win at Racing Santander on the opening day, but the powerful defender was one of the unsung heroes at the back. His organisation and driving spirit was evident and that drove Geta on.

Alexis (Valencia)
In what proved to be a tight and unspectacular affair at the Mestalla on Sunday evening, Alexis' timing in the tackle on a terrible playing surface helped set up his team for an opening day win against Sevilla. Three crucial interventions denied the visitors a clear shot at goal as he stood out at the back.

Jesus Gamez (Malaga)
The Andalucian outfit were not predicted to fair well against Atletico Madrid at La Rosaleda with many critics believing that Malaga would slump after an impressive return to the top flight last term. Gamez's huge contribution at the back though ensured that Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero were kept quiet.

Midfielders:
Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid)
While the focus was firmly on the multi-million euro signings that los Merengues made this summer, it was a player that arrived quietly last January that stole the show. Diarra impressed in the second half of last season and he started this term in the same manner and capped his display with a great goal.

Seydou Keita (Barcelona)
Another Blaugrana player that played two hours of football on Friday and then produced a tireless performance against Sporting to spur coach Pep Guardiola into announcing that he would be a regular in the team this season. A great goal, an assist and a shot off the woodwork were the highlights of his game.

Adrian (Getafe)
In what was the performance of the week from one team in the Spanish top flight, Getafe shined in most areas but the central midfielder stood out for his work-rate, tackling and ability to push the side forward. Set up a goal and could well have added to the scoreline himself.

Duda (Malaga)
Why Sevilla agreed to let the 29-year-old leave this summer rather than provide the ammunition that was so clearly lacking in their first game will raise even more eyebrows after he produced a superb display to guide Malaga to victory. His passing and crossing from the left undid Atletico Madrid.

Forwards:
Gaizka Toquero (Athletic Club)
The relatively unknown striker will become a well-known name if he produces many more performances like the one that inspired Athletic to victory over Espanyol. As well as scoring the only goal, the 25-year-old was at the heart of everything that the hosts did well and will become a regular in the team.

Roberto Soldado (Getafe)
Real Madrid may have just spent a king's ransom on bolstering their attack, but a few fans may look across the city at the homegrown striker that escaped. Soldado's hat-trick for his team at Racing was as impressive as it was unsurprising given his undoubted talent that is coming out now he has the right stage.

               Jacobo
Alves - Cata Diaz - Alexis - Gamez
  Adrian - Keita - Lass - Duda
        Toquero - Soldado

Source: goal.com