Spanish Football News Blog

BEST XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper

Diego Alves (Almeria): Kept a clean sheet and earned his team their first win of the season with a string of saves. Getafe found their way through the Almeria back line on no less than ten occasions, but Alves was in top form.

Defenders

Cesar Arzo (Real Valladolid): The visitors secured an impressive away win at Real Zaragoza on Sunday evening as their defence stayed solid, despite the pressure that they were put under throughout, and Arzo stood-out from the pack, helping his team to a 2-1 success.

Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla): Osasuna may have had more possession than their visitors, but a solid defence meant that Sevilla were able to claim all three points in the encounter at the Reyno de Navarra. The Serbian was the key man in the back line.

Juan Forlin (Espanyol): After a traumatic summer, the Blanc i Blau took their time to recover, and on Sunday things finally came together, thanks in part of a determined display at the back. Despite conceding twice, the visitors did well to keep Depor out when they pressed in numbers.

Jeremy Mathieu (Valencia): His creativity down the flank and willingness to push up are beginning to prove why he was signed from Toulouse in the summer. Arriving without any fanfare, the defender could well become a firm favourite with more displays like this one at Valencia.

Midfielders

Borja Valero (Real Mallorca): Unable to make his name in the English Premier League and unwilling to play in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion, the Madrid youth team product moved back to Mallorca and proved why he caught the eye in his first spell, producing a commanding midfield performance.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): The home team may not have been at their best, but they were inspired to victory by their record signing. After opening the scoring in the first minute, the Portuguese was creative throughout before nodding in a second that opened up Xerez in the second half.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona): As well as scoring two goals, the Argentine's skill and speed made him stand-out as Barcelona overwhelmed Atletico in the first half in Camp Nou. Messi took his first goal superbly, and his run before crossing for Seydou Keita to tap home was sublime.

Forwards

David Villa (Valencia): The club and fans were delighted when the striker stayed with them during the summer, and his two goals against Sporting showed why. However, he is rumoured to have cried after a move to Barcelona broke down, and that too is easy to see why, as Valencia let the points slip.

Fernando Llorente (Athletic Club): An unusual striker for the Spanish league, the powerful goalscorer is from a different era. But at Athletic bygone days are being revived under Joaquin Caparros as their direct style is suiting Llorente well, and his brace at the weekend proved he is one of the best in the league.

Jose Callejon (Espanyol): Stood out against Deportivo de La Coruna as Espanyol secured their first win of the season. A few youth team coaches at Real Madrid will be shaking their heads as another one who escaped is beginning to perform elsewhere.

               Diego Alves

Arzo - Dragutinovic - Forlin - Mathieu

                         Borja

Messi                                      Ronaldo

         Villa - Llorente - Callejon

Source: goal.com