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Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week

Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week
© AP Photos
Sports Mole selects its 11 top performers in Spain following another enthralling weekend of action in La Liga.

Lionel Messi scored four goals as Barcelona recovered from defeat against Real Sociedad last weekend to thump lowly Osasuna 5-1 at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo had stolen the headlines earlier in the day with a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over capital rivals Getafe, but Messi responded to take his tally to 202 goals in 235 La Liga games.

Atletico Madrid travelled to struggling Athletic Bilbao holding a four-point lead over capital rivals Real, but Diego Simeone's side, who were without star striker Radamel Falcao, were beaten 3-0 by the Basque outfit.

With no La Liga fixture on Friday, the week's action was opened by Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad on Saturday, with the two sides sharing the points in a 1-1 draw. Real Zaragoza also had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 0-0 draw with a resurgent Espanyol outfit.

Saturday proved to be eventful with Levante scoring late on to beat Real Valladolid, while Valencia also left it late to secure three points against basement side Deportivo La Coruna.

Rayo Vallecano continued their fine run of form with a 3-0 win over fourth-placed Real Betis on Sunday, before the weekend's action was concluded by a 3-2 victory for Malaga away at Real Mallorca.

Here, Sports Mole selects its 11 top performers in Spain following another enthralling weekend of La Liga action.

Kiko Casilla (Espanyol)
Espanyol's 0-0 draw with Real Zaragoza was hardly a classic, but the 26-year-old Spaniard pulled off a host of fine saves when called upon. Not only that, he was impressive in possession as he calmed his side's defence in the latter stages.

Jordi Amat (Rayo Vallecano)
The 20-year-old put in a wonderful all-round performance in his team's 3-0 win over Real Betis on Sunday. Not only was the youngster a calming presence in defence, but he also demonstrated his ball-playing skills throughout the match.
Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)
There are not too many better all-round defenders in La Liga than the young Spaniard. The 21-year-old gave another wonderful performance that defied his age in his side's 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao)
The Spaniard played in a more advanced role in his side's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Not only did he score the opening goal of the evening, but he won the physical battle against Diego Costa.

Jose Barkero (Levante)
Not only did the 33-year-old score a wonderful equaliser in his side's 2-1 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday, he dictated the tempo throughout the entirety of the match. He has been one of their key performers this season.
Juan Bernat (Valencia)
With Valencia struggling to break down a stern Deportivo outfit, the young Spaniard was introduced in the second period. He did not score, but his willingness to take players on created time and space for others to prosper. I suspect he will be getting a start next week.
Isco (Malaga)
The 20-year-old returned to the Malaga team on Sunday as they regained fourth position with a 3-2 win over Real Mallorca. The Spaniard scored his side's second goal of the evening, but it was his calmness in possession and ability to spot a pass that impressed the most.
Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid)
The 24-year-old had his critics in the early stages of the season, but he has been in sensational form in recent weeks. Playing in his usual position behind the front three, the German dictated the tempo in Madrid's 4-0 win over Getafe.

Markel Susaeta (Athletic Bilbao)
It was not been the happiest of seasons for the 26-year-old, but he was in stunning form in his side's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid. He scored Bilbao's second goal of the evening, before laying on the third for Oscar de Marcos.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
The Portuguese burst into life in the second period of his side's 4-0 win over Getafe, scoring three times in little under 10 minutes. It was the perfect way to prepare for Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
The Argentine overshadowed Ronaldo as he scored four times in Barcelona's 5-1 win over Osasuna in the Camp Nou. He has now scored in his last 11 league matches in a row.

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Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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