As La Liga gameweek 30 came to an end, Real Madrid were the biggest winners as they went to the top of the table, albeit level on points with Barcelona. The race for the remaining European places and the relegation battle is also heating up, with just eight more gameweeks remaining in the season.
La Liga gameweek 30 results:
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our La Liga Team of the Week for gameweek 30. The formation used is 4-2-4.
Goalkeeper: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
The former Spanish Under-21 goalkeeper was in fine form as Athletic Bilbao mustered an important 1-0 win over Real Betis to be in the hunt for Europa League qualification. Unai Simon made the highest number of saves in the game (4) and also kept his 11th clean sheet in La Liga this season.
Right-back: Ruben Pena (Villarreal)
The Spanish full-back had an impressive game at both ends of the pitch as he helped his side keep a clean sheet, while also assisting the only goal of the match as Villarreal edged out Granada 1-0. Ruben Pena is one of Villarreal’s most consistent performers as they are firmly in the fight for Europa League qualification. In his 21 league appearances so far this season, he has scored once and set up two more, besides providing stability to his side’s defence.
Centre-back: Jeison Murillo (Celta Vigo)
Jeison Murillo, who is on loan at Celta Vigo from Sampdoria, had a solid game at the heart of the defence as Celta thrashed Alaves 6-0. The Colombian centre-back was also a threat at the other end of the pitch as he scored his first goal for the club. The win was vital as Celta Vigo are now four points clear of the relegation zone.
Centre-back: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
The Real Madrid captain led from the front as he broke the deadlock in Los Blancos’ vital 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Sergio Ramos, who was solid at the back, scored his seventh La Liga goal of the season after converting a 50th-minute penalty. The win helped Real Madrid to leapfrog Barcelona into the first position.
Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Jordi Alba has been a consistent performer for Barcelona and his outing against Sevilla was no different. Although the Catalan giants dropped two crucial points, following their 0-0 draw against Sevilla, the Spanish left-back was a potent figure in both attack and defence as he made the most number of interceptions by a Barcelona player in the game (3).
Central midfielder: Rafinha (Celta Vigo)
The Barcelona midfielder, who is on loan at Celta Vigo for the season, was in sparkling form at the weekend as he scored a brace to help his side register a thumping 6-0 win over Alaves. Rafinha has scored four goals in 22 La Liga appearances in the present campaign.
Central midfielder: Denis Suarez (Celta Vigo)
The Spanish international was vital to Celta Vigo’s dominating win at the weekend. The former Barcelona man may not have scored but he assisted twice as Celta registered their biggest win of the campaign. Denis Suarez, who was badly phased out at Arsenal after joining the Gunners on loan in January last year, is having a decent season after returning to La Liga at the start of the campaign, having scored a goal and provided five assists in 22 league games.
Right-winger: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
The fourth and final Celta Vigo player on the list, Iago Aspas scored from the penalty spot and was a constant menace for the 10-man Alaves side after MartÃn Aguirregabiria was sent off in the 27th minute. The winger now has scored 10 goals and assisted twice in 29 La Liga appearances this season.
Left-wing: Goncalo Guedes (Valencia)
The Portuguese winger is one of the most exciting players in La Liga when he is fit. Goncalo Guedes was in excellent form at the weekend as he scored a goal and assisted another in Valencia’s 2-0 win over Osasuna to keep Los Che in contention for Europa League qualification next season. He has made just 15 appearances this season, scoring once and setting up two more – the numbers don’t do justice to his talent.
Striker: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema has been in sensational form this season and scored the match-winner against Real Sociedad. He also managed the highest number of shots on target (2) by any player in the match, which Los Blancos won 2-0. The Frenchman now has 17 goals and six assists to show for his efforts in the present campaign.
Striker: Rodrigo (Valencia)
After underperforming massively throughout the season, the Spanish international finally seems to have found some rhythm as he scored his fourth La Liga goal of the campaign against Osasuna to earn his side a vital 2-0 victory. Rodrigo also managed the second-highest take-ons in the game (3), with his team-mate Goncalo Guedes managing 4.
Here’s how our La Liga Team of the Week for gameweek 30 would line up:
