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Following every round of LaLiga fixtures, Pulse Sports presents the most impressive performers of the matchday
LaLiga action in matchweek 28 saw both Barcelona and Real Madrid drop points, but the former nevertheless extended their lead at the top. Here are the outstanding protagonists of the weekend’s action.
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Goalkeeper
Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)
In a weekend of few goalkeeping masterclasses, it was either Alex Remiro or Paulo Gazzaniga. Went with Remiro, whose clean sheet helped Real Sociedad to a measured 2-0 win over Getafe. The 28-year-old made four saves, repelling a cumulative 0.5 post-shot xG: in a match week short of the spectacular, the safe and steady suffices.
Defenders
Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid)
Nahuel Molina scored the opener in Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano as part of a strong performance overall. He took his goal very well on the break, progressed the ball into attacking positions six times and created one chance. Defensively, as is required from everyone under Diego Simeone, Molina was even stronger, making four clearances and seven ball recoveries.
Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
Is there a more Atletico defender than Jose Gimenez? The Uruguay international seems to, once again, be finding the sort of form that saw him touted as one of the best young defenders in the world at one point. Against a Rayo side given to relentless waves of attacking, the 28-year-old got in the way of everything, making 11 clearances and six ball recoveries. He was also impassable, perfect in the duel, and outstanding in terms of his distribution.
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Mario Hermoso (Atletico Madrid)
If Gimenez stood out for his defensive performance, Mario Hermoso did for his on-ball work. Odd for an Atletico defender, but that is the entire point: he brings a new dimension to the club. Hermoso’s passing was crucial to getting Atletico up the pitch (he played six passes into the final third and went 5/9 for long passes), and his comfort at left-back also allowed Yannick Carrasco get forward. Oh, and he scored a header from a corner to double the lead.
Yuri Berchiche (Athletic Club)
Another pick in a position that did not have a lot going on. Yuri Berchiche was solid for Athletic club in their 2-1 win over Espanyol, helping the Lions stave off the threat of new manager bounce. The 33-year-old particularly stood out for his distribution over long distances, as well as his defensive contribution – he made three five clearances and three recoveries, as well as winning seven duels.
Midfielders
Santi Comesana (Rayo Vallecano)
It cannot be easy to place half an hour against one of LaLiga’s top sides down to 10 men, whoever you are. Somehow, though, Rayo managed it, and a large part of that was down to Santi Comesana in the middle of the park. His ball-carrying and distribution were first-rate, and he was just as strong with his work out of possession, winning six duels and making six ball recoveries. No mean feat when you're facing Atletico Madrid.
Dani Parejo (Villarreal)
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It is impossible to go to the home of the reigning champions and come away with all three points, without a strong tempo-setting performance in midfield. Good thing for Villarreal then that they had Dani Parejo. The captain was typically unflustered: to post a 99% pass completion and record 80 completed passes at the Bernabeu is no joke. He also found the time and space to create three chances, recover the ball seven times and win five duels. Tremendous.
Forwards
Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
Villarreal recorded a famous victory at the Bernabeu, with Samuel Chukwueze playing a part in all three goals. His two goals, the first and third in the Yellow Submarine's 3-2 victory, were superbly taken, as he gave Real Madrid the runaround at times on the night. In all, he posted seven completed dribbles and five shots, tallying the second-most xG in the proceedings, and played the decisive pass that led to Villarreal's second equaliser on the night. Dominant, magisterial display.
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15:01 - 10.04.2023
EUROEAGLES REVIEW Chukwueze takes Madrid, Palace Boys seduce, Naija derby in Belgium, General Onyedika
EuroEagles Review is a weekly series evaluating the performances of Nigerian footballers in Europe.
Giovanni Lo Celso (Villarreal)
Cheated a little here as Giovanni Lo Celso didn't actually play as a no.10 against Real Madrid. He did, however, play a false nine role, and so this is a decent approximation. Chukwueze ran riot and Parejo set the tempo, but Lo Celso's movement helped facilitate both: he dropped to combine centrally and help the latter progress play, while creating space for the former to attack. The Argentina international also assisted Chukwueze's opener and created three chances altogether.
Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna)
A toss-up here between the on-loan Barcelona winger and Vinicius Jr, who was electric himself. In the end, Abde Ezzalzouli got the nod for the second-half brace thay condemned bottom-club Elche to yet another defeat. The 21-year-old, in addition to scoring an absolute golazo to win the game, completed six dribbles and rained six shots down on the visitors' goal in a Super Saiyan second-half performance.
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Vedat Muriqi (Real Mallorca)
Who had Real Valladolid v Real Mallorca as the weekend's barn burner? Not me. Shows what I know: six goals, 24 shots and a 94th-minute equaliser ensued. In all of that mayhem, battering ram Vedat Muriqi came into his own, scoring twice (one of them an impeccably placed header) and being a proper pest to the hosts' defence. He won an eye-watering 13 duels and still found the time to contribute defensively on set-pieces as well.
Forward, not winger: The small recalibration that has made Chukwueze unstoppable
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