Spanish Football News Blog

BEST XI

Formation: 4-4-2

Goalkeeper

Gorka Iraizoz (Athletic Club): The Basque Country outfit have not won their opening two matches for 15 seasons, and they have their goalkeeper to thank for making it possible this time around. With a number of fine saves in a tight encounter against Xerez, Iraizoz was instrumental in the victory.

Defence

Alberto Lora (Sporting Gijon): Stood out on the right of the hosts' defence as he prevented Almeria's main target going forward, Albert Crusat, from using his pace and skill to create chances. Was also good going forward, and was allowed to venture up-field when the visitors sat back.

Alexis (Valencia): The defender makes it into the team of the week for the second week running as he again marshalled los Che at the back and allowed their forwards to rampage forward time and again. Valladolid began strongly, but Alexis was at the centre of repelling them to setup the win for his team.

Filipe Luis (Deportivo La Coruna): Could have joined Barcelona in the summer and was said to be devastated when it did not happen, but he has settled back down and showed why the Blaugrana were interested in the first place. Scored a superb goal that won his side the game.

Eric Abidal (Barcelona): With the competition for his place even hotter following the arrival of Maxwell, the Frenchman stepped up against Getafe and produced a solid display that saw him excel both tracking back and racing forward to support the attack when Barca moved up field.

Midfield

Markel Susaeta (Athletic Club): Joaquin Caparros maybe renowned for employing somewhat direct tactics that have a physical edge, but Athletic are now beginning to play more and more through the middle, and that is down to players like Susaeta, who had an outstanding game controlling things in Xerez.

Kaka (Real Madrid): Cristiano Ronaldo may have been the pin-up boy thanks to his free-kicks, stepovers and tricks, but Kaka earned all the headlines as he helped guide Los Merengues to an impressive away day victory at Espanyol's new stadium. The Brazilian is looking worthy of his transfer fee.

David Silva (Valencia): His pace, close control, vision and goalscoring ability are what could see him leave Valencia for one of Europe's major players in the next couple of years, and he showed a bit of all of those qualities to help his side to ease to victory at Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Juan Mata (Valencia): On the other flank, and sometimes on the same one, another of los Che's diminutive playmakers stood out. The Real Madrid youth team product looks like one that certainly should not have been allowed to leave the Bernabeu, scoring a great goal and creating so much more.

Forwards:

Lionel Messi (Barcelona): Though Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one and setup the Argentine's goal, it was not until Messi's entrance that the Swede and Barcelona began to shine. If ever there was an example of what a substitute could and should do, then this was it as Messi was back to his best.

David Villa (Valencia): It was a vintage performance from Valencia, one that saw them register their intent to push for the top. It was also a game in which Villa registered his intent to win the Pichichi award, given to the league's top goalscorer, for the first time in his career.