Griezmann, Ferran Torres headline team of the week

Griezmann and Ferran Torres headline LaLiga team of the week

LALIGA Griezmann, Ferran Torres headline team of the week

Faruq Ibrahim 16:21 - 22.02.2023

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

LaLiga Round 22 has come to an end, and as is the norm with the league of stars, it was packed with many exciting encounters driven by individual excellence.

The title race heated up again, with Real Madrid reducing Barcelona's lead to five points before Blaugrana restored order with a commendable performance against Cadiz.

There was movement at the bottom of the table, with Getafe winning the relegation six-pointer against Valencia to push themselves up to 16th on the table.

Real Sociedad stuttered again for the third time in four games with a draw against Celta Vigo, falling behind in the chase for the top two. A win for Atletico Madrid and Real Betis saw them gain ground on Imanol Alguacil's men.

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

Goalkeeper: Marc Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona) v Cadiz 

Barcelona kept their 17th clean sheet of the LaLiga season, and Ter Stegen was as usual integral in keeping the Barcelona goal unbreached.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was unbeatable in goal for Barcelona
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was unbeatable in goal for Barcelona

The Blaugranas won the game 2-0, but they suffered several incursions, and if the German goalkeeper was not on his game, Cadiz could have taken a point from Camp Nou as they did in the 2020/21 season. 

Ter Stegen made four saves and nullified Cadiz's aerial threats, punching out three crosses.

Centre-back: Enzo Roco (Elche) v Espanyol

The Chilean defender could not prevent Elche from suffering their 15th defeat of the season, but it was not for lack of trying. 

Enzo had a dominant defensive performance for Los Franjiverdes, ensuring Espanyol did not deal more than one-goal damage.

He made a whopping five clearances, with one of them being off the goal line, while also winning two tackles, blocking two shots, and making an interception. He was also immense aerially, winning all five of his aerial duels.

enzo Roco in action for Elche
Enzo Roco in action for Elche

Enzo was also involved offensively for Elche, attempting three shots, with one of them being on target. He was also integral to how Elche progressed play, completing seven of eight attempted long balls.

Centre-back: Andreas Christensen (Barcelona) v Cadiz 

Christensen returned to the starting lineup after controversially starting from the bench against Manchester United.

His performance on this day vindicated those who believed his omission against the Red Devils was inexplicable.

Christensen's excellence was not in the number of gutsy sliding tackles he put in, as is usually the case when a dominant possession-based side faces a much weaker defensive side, but in his intelligence and quality on the ball.

The Dane completed 58 of his 60 passes this season, a 97% completion rate. He completed 100 per cent of his long balls and created one chance.

He was also present for his primary defensive duties, intercepting two passing attempts and making two clearances. 

Centre-back: Reinildo Isnard Mandava (Atletico Madrid) v Athletic Club

Diego Simeone's men kept a clean sheet against a difficult opponent in Athletic Club, and Reinildo's immense performance was a contributing factor.

The left-sided defender made a whopping seven tackles, along with four interceptions, two clearances, and two blocks.

Right midfielder: Dani Garcia (Mallorca) v Villarreal

A brace was hard to come by for strikers in LaLiga this gameweek, but for midfielder Dani Garcia, it was a cakewalk.

The Spaniard helped Mallorca to a 4-2 victory with two brilliant striker-esque headers against the yellow submarines.

Centre midfielder: Aleix Garcia (Girona) v Almeria

Aleix Garcia shone in what was the match of the week, an eight-goal affair between Girona and Almeria. 

Aleix Garcia was unplayable against Almeria
Aleix Garcia was unplayable against Almeria

Aleix Garcia controlled everything in the middle of the park for his team, helping them put six past their visitors.

Centre midfielder: Eduardo Camavinga Osasuna v (Real Madrid)

Camavinga started in the base of midfield for Real Madrid in the absence of Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos.

The young Frenchman barely put a foot wrong in executing the role, completing 95% of his passes and winning nine or ten attempted ground duels. 

He also won three tackles and one interception while being involved in progressing play with four completed long balls in four attempts.

Left midfielder: Lucas Robertone Girona v (Almeria)

Robertone was on the losing side in what was effectively the match of the gameweek, but he was arguably the best player on the pitch despite being on the wrong end of a 6-2 thrashing. 

Lucas Robertone in action for Almeria
Lucas Robertone in action for Almeria

The Argentine midfielder created a whopping five chances, two of which were assists for his team's two goals. He was hyperactive in trying to get his team a foothold in the game, winning eight of nine attempted duels, completing eight of eleven crosses, and 100% of his attempted dribbles.  

Right-winger: Ferran Torres (Barcelona) v Cadiz 

Ferran Torres replaced Raphinha on the right side of Barcelona's attack with Ousmane Dembele injured, and he put up a performance reminiscent of his Valencia days when he was tagged the best young Spanish talent by many. 

Ferran completed a gameweek high of 10 dribbles. Only Jeremy Doku and Lionel Messi have completed more dribbles in a game in the European top five leagues this season. 

He created five chances, one of which was a big chance, and he was alive in duels, winning 100% of his aerial duels and 15 of 20 ground duels. 

Striker: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) v Athletic Club

Griezmann continued his exceptional post-World Cup form in this gameweek, helping the Rojiblancos to all three points.  

Other than scoring the only goal of the game, Griezmann had a solid game all-round, completing 100% of his dribbles, winning 10 of 14 contested ground duels, making five clearances, and winning three tackles.

Left-winger: Rodrigo Riquelme (Girona) v Almeria

Riquelme was a constant threat on the left side of Girona's attack as they thumped fellow newly promoted side Almeria 6-2 in a thoroughly entertaining fixture. 

Atletico Madrid loanee Rodrigo Riquelme was brilliant against Almeria
Atletico Madrid loanee Rodrigo Riquelme was brilliant against Almeria

The 22-year-old Spaniard on loan from Atletico Madrid scored once and assisted another of his team's six goals. He also created three scoring chances for his teammates. 

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