La Liga Team of the Week: Majestic Messi inspires Barcelona
Barcelona secured a narrow 2-1 home victory against Athletic Bilbao this weekend, with Lionel Messi inspiring the fight to claim all three points in La Liga.
Messi (9.1) had a hand in both goals, as he opened the scoring with a sensational free-kick into the top right corner before assisting the winning goal for Antoine Griezmann in the 74th minute.
Barcelona overall may be well off the pace in La Liga, but Griezmann (8.3) is enjoying one of his best periods with the club, and that goal versus Athletic was the ninth time this month in which he has been involved in a goal via one scored himself or an assist.
The best performer of the weekend in Spain was Rafa Mir (9.6), who scored a hat-trick as Huesca defeated Real Valladolid away from home in what was just their second victory of the entire season.
Cadiz were on the receiving end of a 4-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid, but the two consolation goals were scored by Alvaro Negredo (9.6), who was unlucky to be on the losing side in that one.
Toni Kroos (8.1) misplaced just three passes the entire game for Real Madrid, but would probably have swapped his superb pass completion rate for three points, as Los Blancos actually lost to Levante.
Joining the German in midfield is Celta's Renato Tapia (8.2), who won a remarkable 15/16 duels against Granada.
Celta earned a clean sheet in that one, with Jeison Murillo (7.7) impressing at the back.
His central defensive partner in our Team of the Week is Barcelona's Oscar Mingueza (7.5).
The full-back positions are filled by Jose Gaya (7.7) and Pablo Maffeo (8.1).
Sevilla's good form continued as they beat Eibar 2-0 away, though goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (8.3) did have to make six saves.