LALIGA Benzema, Pedri feature in team of the week

We have picked a team of 11 players that best fit into a 4-2-3-1 formation for our LaLiga team of the week.

LaLiga round 21 has come to an end, and as usual, it was packed with many exciting fixtures and an abundance of star performers.

Barcelona went 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga with a slender victory over Villarreal, but only temporarily, as Real Madrid cut it back to eight with a rout of Elche in the late fixture of the round.

It was a better week for the rest of the top-five compared to the previous gameweek, as Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Real Betis returned to winning ways.

The players at the forefront of the entertaining game week have been cut down to 11 that best fit into a 4-2-3-1 formation for the Pulse Sports LaLiga team of the week.

Goalkeeper: Edgar Badia Real Madrid vs (Elche)

Team performance matters, but since this is an individual ‘award’, Edgar Badia was the best goalkeeper of Gameweek 21 despite conceding four goals.

The Spanish shot-stopper was a victim of abysmal defending and rookie errors from his teammates, and of the four goals he conceded, two were from the penalty spot, and one was a rocket from Luka Modric that no goalkeeper is saving.

The scoreline could have been more embarrassing for Elche languishing at the bottom of LaLiga but for Badia’s heroics. The 31-year-old goalkeeper made nine saves on the night; no man between the sticks in LaLiga made more this gameweek.

Right-back: Isaac Carcelen (Cadiz) vs Girona

Cadiz picked up another win this season, pulling themselves up to 16th with two points above the drop and Isaac Carcelen’s performance was crucial to that.

The 29-year-old defender made a game-high seven tackles and five clearances while also winning nine of eleven ground duels and completing 100 per cent of his attempted long passes.

Centre-back: Ronald Araujo Villarreal vs (Barcelona)

Ronald Araujo was unplayable in the game against Villarreal, helping Barcelona pick up their 16th clean sheet of the season.

Araujo was dominant in all phases of defensive play winning 100% of his ground duels (5/5) and four of the five aerial duels he was involved in.

Araujo made three tackles, one of which was a crucial last-man tackle, one interception, and one clearance. In terms of progressing play, the Uruguayan also completed 100% of his long balls.

Centre-back Militao (Real Madrid) vs Elche

Eder Militao returned to the starting lineup for Real Madrid after missing the league defeat to Mallorca due to injury, and the impact his return brought was visible.

The Brazilian won 5/5 of his ground duels and 4/4 of his aerial contests while making three tackles and three clearances. On the ball, Militao was as involved as well, making 101 touches and completing seven long balls.

Left-back: Javi Galan Atletico Madrid vs (Celta Vigo)

Javi Galan is one of the best full-backs in the league, and although his team lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid, the 28-year-old Spaniard was unplayable.

Galan won a whopping eight tackles, five interceptions, and two clearances, all while winning 14 of 19 ground duels and two of three aerial duels. Galan created a big chance that was not converted by his teammate and completed three of four dribble attempts and three of five long ball tries.

Centre midfielder: Pape Gueye (Sevilla) vs Mallorca

Sevilla continued their improvement from earlier in the season, when they found themselves in the drop, with a win against Mallorca, and new signing Pape Gueye was an integral part of the win.

It was an impressive performance across the board from the Sevilla team, but Gueye stood out, winning 10 duels, two tackles, and two interceptions while still setting up his teammate to score one of the two goals in the game.

Centre midfielder: Kike Garcia (Real Valladolid) vs Osasuna

Kike Garcia was the conductor-in-chief for his team in the only goalless affair of the gameweek.

The match lacked goals, but it was not for lack of trying, at least not on the part of Kike Garcia, who created a game-high four chances while playing deep in midfield. The 26-year-old midfielder also completed seven long balls and maintained a 100% dribble success rate.

Right midfielder: Sergio Canales  (Real Betis) vs Almeria

For regular watchers of LaLiga, adjectives have been exhausted to describe Sergio Canales, and against Almeria, he put up another masterclass.

The 31-year-old was cast slightly to the right, but he was at the heart of everything for Betis as the Verdiblancos moved back into the top five.

The former Real Madrid man scored a goal and set up an assist while also putting in a defensive shift with three tackles and three interceptions.

Attacking midfielder: Rodri (Real Betis) vs Almeria

In the absence of Nabil Fekir, Rodri Sanchez entered Betis' starting lineup, assuming the role usually occupied by the France international.

Rodri was a constant livewire for his team, helping them return to winning ways with a well-taken goal and a brilliantly crafted assist.

Left Midfielder: Pedri Villarreal vs (Barcelona)

Pedri was exceptional as usual in another win for Barcelona as they temporarily extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to eight points.

The Canary Island winger scored the only goal of the victory against the Yellow Submarines after combining expertly with Lewandowski, and the goal was only an addition to a complete performance.

Centre-forward: Benzema (Real Madrid) vs Elche

Benzema returned to the starting lineup after missing the loss against Mallorca due to injury, and he marked his availability with a brace.

Benzema’s absence required Marco Asensio to step up to take the penalty against Javier Aguirre’s side, which he missed, contributing to Real Madrid’s defeat. The French goalscorer made no mistake, scoring twice from the spot this gameweek, and as is the norm with Benzema, his performance was more than the goals, as he created three chances for his teammates.

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