LaLiga Matchweek 8: Team of the Week

This past weekend produced some changes at the top of LaLiga’s table, as well as critical points gained in the relegation fight at the other end. Several derbies were on the cards, and there were more than a few surprises throughout the three days of fixtures.

Matchweek Eight began on Friday evening at the San Mamés, with Real Sociedad visiting Athletic Club. The Basque derby always delivers a fantastic atmosphere, although the home side would not give the fans a result to celebrate. La Real secured a 3-1 win to move into ninth place.

Eibar and manager José Luis Mendilibar earned an impressive away result on Saturday in a 3-2 win at Girona, thanks to a second-half winner from Sergi Enrich. Levante gained three points on their travels also, with a 1-0 victory at Getafe. In a Madrid derby at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque, Leganés defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0.

However, the focus of the day was with the European title-holders, as Real Madrid’s scoring woes continued. Alavés saw out a 1-0 win at home, with Los Blancos now failing to score in their last four games across all competitions.

Real Valladolid opened up Sunday’s fixtures with yet another positive showing, winning 1-0 against SD Huesca. The result is Valladolid’s third consecutive LaLiga triumph, placing the club seventh in the league table. In a nervy contest at the Wanda Metropolitano, Atlético Madrid substitute Ángel Correa’s goal was the difference for the hosts in a 1-0 victory against Real Betis.

Sevilla's fourth straight league victory now has them at the top of the table, following a 2-1 win versus Celta Vigo. Espanyol remains just outside the top four, after a 3-1 victory against Villarreal.

Barcelona had an opportunity to get back to first place, but a 1-1 draw at Valencia leaves them one point behind Sevilla. Despite the majority of possession throughout the match, manager Ernesto Valverde’s squad could not find a winner in the second 45 minutes.

League action returns on October 19, with the international break on the horizon this week.

We review and highlight LaLiga’s top players for Matchweek Eight.

Goalkeeper

Levante's Oier Olazábal

GK - Oier Olazábal - Levante UD

Levante did well to find a win at Getafe on Saturday, and Oier Olazábal was again a key contributor for the team at the goalkeeper position.

The 29-year-old made four saves and helped to keep the clean sheet by working well with his defenders.

Defenders

Real Valladolid defender Nacho (right) fights for the ball in a match against Girona FC

LB - Nacho - Real Valladolid

Real Valladolid have been in excellent form, and Nacho’s outing versus Huesca was superb.

The talented left-back recorded five tackles on the afternoon and was comfortable in possession throughout the 90 minutes.

CB - Ezequiel Garay - Valencia CF

Valencia kept Barcelona from securing a victory on Sunday evening, and an early goal from Ezequiel Garay was enough for the draw.

The centre-back opened the scoring in the second minute off a corner for Los Che.

CB - Anaitz Arbilla - SD Eibar

Eibar have endured a difficult start to the 2018-19 campaign, making a 3-2 win at Girona even sweeter for supporters. Anaitz Arbilla netted the team’s second goal.

After levelling the score at 2-2, Arbilla then put in an excellent effort at the back to clear out several dangerous chances when Eibar got ahead in the 72nd minute.

RB - Javi López - RCD Espanyol

Expected by many to struggle this season, Espanyol kept the positive results coming with a 3-1 win versus Villarreal. Javi López performed well on Sunday, impacting play at both ends of the pitch.

The right-back displayed sharp positioning and got forward into the attack when needed (three shots in the game).

Midfielders

Deportivo Alavés vs. Real Madrid CF - La Liga

MF - Mikel Oyarzabal - Real Sociedad

The biggest fixture of the weekend played out on Friday in the Basque derby, and Mikel Oyarzabal was the hero for Real Sociedad.

The midfielder netted two goals, both from the penalty spot, to give his squad the win over Athletic Club. Real Sociedad will look to follow this up with another good result in their next fixture, when they host Girona on October 22.

MF - Manu García - Deportivo Alavés

Alavés did well on Saturday to frustrate Real Madrid in the final third, and it was Manu García who provided the late winner for all that hard work.

Deep into stoppage-time, the second-half substitute delivered a goal after an Alavés free-kick.

MF - Rubén Alcaraz - Real Valladolid

Real Valladolid just keep securing victories, with Rubén Alcaraz’s influence in the middle against Huesca having a very strong effect on the final scoreline.

The 27-year-old scored a goal in the first half, and his passing was accurate throughout the game.

Forwards

Valencia CF vs. FC Barcelona - La Liga

FW - Cristhian Stuani - Girona FC

Girona suffered a disappointing home loss against Eibar on Saturday, but Cristhian Stuani’s efforts up front were certainly not to blame for it.

The striker netted two first-half goals, keeping his electric goalscoring form alive in 2018-19.

FW - Wissam Ben Yedder - Sevilla FC

Sevilla and manager Pablo Machín did not let mid-week European play distract them, and Wissam Ben Yedder’s goal in the second half against Celta was an important one.

The French forward has five league goals thus far in six appearances this season.

FW - Lionel Messi - FC Barcelona

Barcelona were close to regaining their place at the top of LaLiga’s table on Sunday but were unable to grab a vital second goal. Lionel Messi’s presence was definitely felt, as his magic almost provided what the Blaugrana needed.

Messi scored a goal in the 23rd minute at Valencia, and his movements in the final third opened up space for team-mates.

Manager

Deportivo Alavés manager Abelardo

Abelardo Fernández - Deportivo Alavés

Current form is always something important to consider, as tactics can change depending on how an opponent has been performing. Alavés manager Abelardo knew that Real Madrid were struggling to score goals, making his decision to sit back and defend an intelligent one on Saturday.

Los Blancos completed three times as many passes (607 to 204) throughout the game and enjoyed almost 70% possession. Scoring chances were present, but at that point, Abelardo was still comfortable with his odds. Real simply could not find the back of the net, with Alavés doing an excellent job of closing passing lanes and keeping their defensive shape.

While home fans would likely have been very happy with a draw, all this hard work was rewarded in the final moments of the game. Manu García’s header in the 95th minute delivered Alavés' first home win against Real Madrid in LaLiga since 1931. Ultimately, a conservative approach from Abelardo put them in the right position late in the match.

Now sitting sixth in the table, El Glorioso returns to action at Celta Vigo after the international break on October 19.