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Following every round of LaLiga fixtures, Pulse Sports presents the most impressive performers of the matchday.
It was a feast or famine sort of weekend in the Spanish top-flight, with Atletico Madrid the big winners in their push for the Champions League. Here are the most impressive performers of the gameweek.
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Goalkeeper
Rui Silva (Real Betis)
Betis could well live to rue their defeat at the hands of Atletico if they fail in their bid for a Champions League place. It could have been much worse than 1-0 though, but for the efforts of Rui Silva in goal for Los Verdiblancos. The 29-year-old made six saves, four of them from inside the penalty area, and overperformed his post-shot xG handily. One save, from Yannick Carrasco in the 61st minute, was particularly impressive.
Defenders
Arnau Martinez (Girona)
Girona’s win over Espanyol put the nail in the coffin of erstwhile Los Periquitos boss Diego Martinez, and Arnau Martinez stole the show. The full-back opened the scoring with a superb volley on his weaker foot, and was excellent defensively, winning six of 10 duels, making three clearances and nine ball recoveries. He also consistently worked the ball into the final third, creating two chances in the process.
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Omar Alderete (Getafe)
Between them, Athletic Club and Getafe mustered 26 shots in a game that finished scoreless. Needless to say, both sides were solid at the back, and no one exemplified this more than Omar Alderete. The Paraguay international put himself in the way of everything, tackling, blocking, clearing and intercepting whatever came his way with typical tenacity. An accomplished, nerveless defensive display on every count.
Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
When you win 4-0 against the bottom side, chances are your defenders did not have a lot of defending to do. However, whatever Araujo had to do, he did with grace. The Uruguay defender was dominant in the air, winning all of his aerial duels, and made four clearances. In the absence of a great deal of defensive responsibility, he made himself useful still going forward, carrying the ball forward well and sparking danger with his passing.
Javi Galan (Celta Vigo)
This was a competitive spot, but in the end Javi Galan got the nod. It was an all-action display from the 28-year-old Celta full-back in one of the weekend’s more entertaining matches: he showed his attacking chops with three completed crosses, two of three successful dribbles and eight passes into the Almeria defensive third, and then his defensive nous by winning seven duels, making eight ball recoveries and being perfect whenever he engaged in the tackle.
Midfielders
Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
It was a masterful controlling performance by Aurelien Tchouameni in the hammering of Real Valladolid. Following such a lopsided scoreline, it can be tempting to focus on the attackers, but that would be a mistake. The 23-year-old kept the play ticking over, providing a platform for the front four to run riot. Eight of nine duels, three of four tackles, and impeccable carrying and distribution over short and long distances. Truly complete performance.
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Gavi (Barcelona)
He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but wherever the action is, Gavi will very often be found. If Tchouameni was a portrait of composure, Gavi was a dynamo: fouling, getting fouled, getting to loose balls, defending his own box one second and attacking the other the next. Oh, and dribbling. Lots of dribbling. Also, two big chances created, totalling 0.64 expected assists. Aside from shooting himself, the 18-year-old did everything to a high level against Elche.
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22:50 - 29.03.2023
LALIGA Gavi eligible to play for Barcelona again
LaLiga have reregistered Gavi on their website with the number 30.
Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
It feels weird to think of Iker Muniain as a veteran, but that is precisely what the 30-year-old is these days. Not that he is showing too many signs of slowing down: against Getafe he was at his classiest. Muniain beguiled with his ball carrying and passing, cutting through the visitors over and over. He did his fair share without the ball too, winning 10 of 14 duels, all three of his tackles and first to the loose ball six times.
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Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
That Rodrygo is a talent is not in doubt. However, quite where he fits in this Real Madrid side often is. Here, against Real Valladolid, he was unleashed in the no.10 position as Carlo Ancelotti tweaked his system slightly, and he responded with a superb display. He took his goal with aplomb and then laid on two more, dovetailing extremely well with Marco Asensio on the right. He also hit the woodwork and completed four dribbles.
Forwards
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Well, he scored three goals. What more can anyone even say about Karim Benzema? In truth, he has not been as good in this campaign as he was in the last, but with crunch time in the Champions League around the corner, the 35-year-old looks to be revving the engine for a strong finish. His goals were consummate in their execution, especially his third, for which he improvised an acrobatic effort to turn in a scooped cross. Unstoppable display.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
With all the necessary caveats about the level of the opposition, it still needs a predator to take advantage. Robert Lewandowski did just that against Elche, scoring twice and assisting another. Most important was the quantity and quality of the shots: six attempts totalling xG of 1.35 attested to being in the right place at the right time. He also did his fair share of defensive work, making three clearances and sticking his foot in when needed.
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