LaLiga round 23 had come to an end, and as usual, it was packed with many exciting matchups and exceptional individual performances.
Real Madrid slipped up against Atletico Madrid, but Barcelona failed to capitalise and extend their lead to ten points when they suffered a shock defeat to Almeria, handing Madrid a way back into the title race.
Real Betis' hard-fought victory against Elche brought them closer to the top four as Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad slipped up in their own matches.
Getafe returned to the drop zone with Cadiz's victory over Rayo Vallecano, while Sevilla are back in relegation worries as their loss against Osasuna kept them only two points above the drop.
The players at the forefront of the entertaining gameweek have been cut down to 11 that best fit into a 4-3-3 formation for the Pulse Sports LaLiga team of the week.
Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia) v Real Sociedad
The Georgian shot-stopper was integral in helping Valencia pick up their first win after six consecutive defeats by shutting out La Reale.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper made three saves and two high claims, neutralising Real Sociedad's aerial threat. The clean sheet was Valencia's first in over nine league games.
Right-back: Juan Foyth (Villarreal) vs Getafe
Foyth had a solid game at right-back in Villarreal's 2-1 victory over Getafe, putting up a solid shift offensively and defensively, helping Villarreal to their first win after four consecutive losses.
Foyth has 96 touches in the game and has completed 88 per cent of his passes. He also made five clearances and won two tackles while completing three of four attempted dribbles and 100% of his attempted long passes.
Centre-back Fali (Cadiz) vs Rayo Vallecano
Fali was a general in the heart of Cadiz's defence helping them keep a clean sheet against Andoni Iraiola's side.
Fali made a whopping six clearances to go with his three tackles, winning seven of eight duels while completing seven long passes.
Centre-back Rodrigo Ely (Almeria) vs Barcelona
Almeria got a shocking result over the weekend, beating league leaders Barcelona and ending their 13-game unbeaten run in LaLiga, and Rodrigo Ely was an integral part of that achievement.
The Brazilian was a rock in defence for the hosts, making an exceptionally high 13 clearances, winning three tackles, and blocking one attempt at goal.
Left-back: Juan Miranda Elche v (Real Betis)
Real Betis were suffering a 2-0 defeat before the introduction of Juan Miranda in place of the clumsy Abner Vinicius, who gave away a penalty for Elche's first goal of the game.
The Spanish left-back transformed Betis' attack and immediately made them more solid at the back and impervious to Elche's breaks from the right wing.
A harsh defeat for Elche as Betis come back in the dying minutes 🎞️#ElcheRealBetis highlights 👇#LaLigaTV | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/fs6DIVFFe7
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) February 24, 2023
Miranda grabbed Betis' equaliser on the day while creating three scoring chances and winning 100% of his aerial duels.
Defensive midfielder: Pablo Ibanez Sevilla v (Osasuna)
Pablo Ibanez was brilliant at the base of Osasuna's midfield in the thrilling 3-2 victory over Sevilla.
The Spaniard created three chances from deep in midfield, two of which were big chances, completing three of four long passes and 100% of his dribbles.
He completed three tackles, two clearances, one interception, and blocked one scoring chance.
Centre midfielder: Aleix Garcia Athletic Club v (Girona)
Aleix Garcia makes a repeated appearance in our team of the week as his exceptional form continued in Girona's 3-2 victory over Athletic Club.
The midfielder got the most crucial statistic in a football game, a goal, while creating two scoring chances, completing 100% of his dribbles, and winning six of eight duels.
He also won two tackles and made three interceptions along with three clearances.
Centre midfielder: Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo) v Real Valladolid
The 20-year-old midfielder continued his impressive form this season, grabbing his seventh and eighth goals of the season in Celta's 3-0 win over Real Valladolid.
Celta de Vigo's @gabriveiga10 is the first midfielder, to be born in 2002 or later, to have 10 or more goal contributions in Europe's top 5 leagues this season! 💙🤍#LaLigaTV pic.twitter.com/m8of7EgumC
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) February 27, 2023
Veiga was involved in all of Celta's goals on the day, grabbing an assist along with his brace.
It's Gabri Veiga's world and we're just living in it 🎞️#CeltaRealValladolid highlights 👇#LaLigaTV | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/TaGnuu0Xdq
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) February 26, 2023
He could have made it a hat-trick, but the young midfielder hit the woodwork. He completed three of four attempted dribbles and completed 100% of his long passes while making three interceptions and completing a tackle.
Right-winger: Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal) v Getafe
Samu Chukwueze leads the way for Villarreal 🎞️#VillarrealGetafe highlight 👇#LaLigaTV | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/KST9imJ0Ed
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) February 27, 2023
The Nigerian winger was involved in both goals that Villarreal scored in the game, pulling Quique Setien's men level in the game, before setting up Jose Luis Morales for the winner after an exceptional wing play
Chukwueze was a constant torment on the left side of Getafe's defence, completing five of the seven dribbles he attempted while creating two chances.
Striker: Martin Braithwaite (Espanyol) v Mallorca
Braithwaite was the only striker to grab a brace in LaLiga this gameweek, as his two goals helped Espanyol defeat Mallorca.
FT: Espanyol 2-1 Mallorca
— LaLigaTV (@LaLigaTV) February 25, 2023
A @MartinBraith brace sees Espanyol claim all three points!! 🙌#LaLigaTV pic.twitter.com/D10bgjLLik
Braithwaite was close to grabbing a hat-trick in a game where he put in a decent shift, but it was not to be.
Left-winger: Ferran Torres Almeria v (Barcelona)
Barcelona suffered a shock defeat against Almeria, but it was despite the best efforts of Ferran Torres, who put up a notable performance to follow up his impressive showing against Cadiz.
The Spanish winger created six chances in the game, two of which were big ones. Ferran also kept the defenders on their toes—or off them—by completing three of four dribbles.
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