Normal service has resumed in the Spanish Primera Division with Barcelona topping the table and Real Madrid in behind. Only one Clasico player makes the top five for Round Nine, though, with Granada once again having a star performer to keep them third in the table also.
Getafe's prayers were answered by an Angel this weekend as the Madrid side moved away from close proximity to the relegation zone thanks to a 2-0 victory versus Leganes. The forward netted two on the night via a bullet, bouncing header at the back post before coolly rounding the goalkeeper to slot home for his second. He was a pest all night for visitors, winning his fair share of duels and aerial duels, too.
| LAL | Oct 20, 2019 | W | |
From an Angel to Jesus, now. The former Manchester City winger has flourished in his new position as a wing-back for Sevilla, and it was through a signature direct run down the right wing that he assisted the only goal of the game. From nearly at the line, he chipped a perfect cross into the box for Luuk de Jong to head into the corner. Overall, he put 15 crosses into the box for his team-mates, and is finding his feet defensively, too, as he made 12 ball recoveries, three interceptions, and won six out of seven duels.
Barcelona won 3-0 against Eibar and it will be remembered for the first match in which Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Luis Suarez all scored in the same fixture. Their star man was Lenglet, though, who is beginning to look the part in defence for the Blaugrana. At the back, he won the majority of his duels and aerial duels and made five clearances. However, his biggest contribution was assisting the opening goal for Griezmann with a fantastic, curled ball over and round the Eibar defence for his compatriot to score.
| LAL | Oct 19, 2019 | D | |
Just when time was running out for Valencia to snatch a point against Atletico, Parejo stepped up in the last ten minutes to make the score 1-1 with a blistering 30-yard free-kick which proved too hot to handle for even Jan Oblak. He ensured his already-impressive performance wasn't in vain with that goal as he was excellent beforehand, too. He won 6/8 duels, 100% of his attempted tackles and made 10 ball recoveries.
Each week, Granada strive to prove their ascent into the top four is not a fluke, and they further enhanced their reputation with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Osasuna on Friday. The key factor in that victory was Duarte who, within a few minutes, initially stopped Osasuna taking the lead with a fantastic last-ditch tackle on Brandon before then going up the other end to glance a header into the corner to make it 1-0. He won the majority of his duels both on the ground and in the air, and 100% of his tackles, too. A truly commanding performance from the centre-back.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Griezmann (8) recorded a goal and an assist for Barca in the aforementioned win over Eibar, with his own goal coming through a lovely finish at the front post. Samuel Umtiti (7.8) impressed at the back, too, though he played second-fiddle to Lenglet.
ROUND TO FORGET
It seems slightly harsh to have three Eibar players in here when they were up against an in-form Messi, Suarez, and Griezmann. But, harsh we shall be. Marko Dmitrovic (5) was ineffective between the sticks for the home side, while strikers Charles (5.1) and Sergi Enrich (5.1) were equally as tame trying to score. The keeper only made one save, while, between the two of them, the forwards had exactly zero shots on goal.
