As the gameweek 35 came to an end in La Liga, Real Madrid showed no signs of slowing down, even without Sergio Ramos, who was suspended, and maintained their four-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the table with three rounds remaining.
While Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are set to join Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Champions League next season, Villarreal are favourites to qualify directly to the Europa League, while the race for the sixth and final European spot is still on.
At the other end of the table, with Espanyol already-relegated, Leganes look to join them shortly as they keep dropping points.
La Liga gameweek 35 results:
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our La Liga Team of the Week for game week 35. The formation used is 4-3-3.
Goalkeeper: Roberto Jimenez (Alaves)
The on-loan goalkeeper from West Ham United was at his best as he kept the scoreline respectable for his Alaves team against Real Madrid. Roberto Jimenez, who had struggled in the Premier League, made the highest number of saves in the game (7) as Los Blancos won 2-0.
Right-back: Ruben Pena (Villarreal)
Ruben Pena was signed by Villarreal from Eibar last summer, and the Spanish full-back hasn’t disappointed his new employers. The 28-year-old played his best game of the season and helped fifth-placed Villarreal to a crucial 3-1 victory over sixth-placed Getafe.
Pena scored a 93rd-minute goal, made the highest number of interceptions (5) and the highest number of blocks (1) in the game.
Centre-back: Domingos Duarte (Granada)
Domingos Duarte had a game to remember as he made match-winning contributions at both ends of the field against Real Sociedad.
The former Portuguese Under-21 international provided a brilliant assist for the opening goal of the game before scoring himself in the 89th minute to help Granada to a stunning 3-2 victory over.
Duarte also made two vital blocks in the game to deny clear goalscoring opportunities to the hosts.
Centre-back: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
The onus to lead the makeshift Real Madrid defence in the absence of Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal was on Raphael Varane.
The Frenchman, who was partnering Eder Militao in the heart of the defense in the 2-0 win over Alaves, looked rock-solid as he kept a clean sheet, made the fourth-highest number of passes (69), the highest number of blocks (2) and recoveries (8) in the game.
Left-back: Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)
Ferland Mendy, who joined Real Madrid from Lyon last summer, showed his quality in a rampaging display against Alaves. The Frenchman won a penalty, which was calmly converted by his compatriot, Karim Benzema to open the scoring. He also helped keep a clean sheet as Los Blancos triumphed 2-0.
Defensive midfielder: Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis)
Guido Rodriguez gave his best performance in Real Betis colours against Osasuna since joining the La Liga outfit from Club America in January. The Argentine international was everywhere on the field in the 3-0 victory as he scored his first goal for the club, managed the second-highest number of passes (46), take-ons (2) and blocks in the game (1).
Central midfielder: Ever Banega (Sevilla)
Ever Banega has been one of the most underrated players in La Liga for years. The Argentine international’s performance in the 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao all but guaranteed Champions League football for Sevilla next season. The midfield maestro scored once and provided the assist for the winning goal as Sevilla remain six points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal in fourth spot.
Central midfielder: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)
The former Arsenal man was at his dominating best for Villarreal as they won 3-1 against Getafe to remain in fifth spot in the La Liga standings. Santi Cazorla scored a brace, with the Spaniard converting both his penalties with perfection to take his goalscoring tally to 10 in 32 La Liga appearances this season.
Right-wing: Takefusa Kubo (Mallorca)
The Real Madrid loanee is doing his best to save Mallorca from relegation this season. The teenage sensation has been one of the few bright spots for Los Bermellones, who are 18th on the La Liga table. The Japanese international scored a goal and was a constant threat to Levante’s defence as he managed three shots on target, with Mallorca winning the contest 2-0.
Left-wing: Antonio Puertas (Granada)
Antonio Puertas was in full flow as he, alongside Domingos Duarte, scripted an outstanding 3-2 victory for Granada over fellow Europa League-chasing Real Sociedad. The former Almeria man scored the opening goal of the game and was a constant threat to La Real’s defence with his link-up play with Roberto Soldado upfront.
Striker: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema was in fine form again as Real Madrid cruised to a 2-0 win over Alaves to remain four points clear at the top of the table. The Frenchman scored from the spot and provided the assist for Marco Asensio’s goal as Los Blancos took another step towards La Liga glory. Benzema has scored 18 goals in the league this season and is only four behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Here’s how our La Liga Team of the Week for gameweek 35 would line up:
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