La Liga round-up: League's top scorer stars in team of the week

Another week and yet more dropped points for Barcelona and Real Madrid, who failed to beat Valencia and Alaves, respectively, with the latter overcoming the European champions late on to ramp up the pressure on Julen Lopetegui. A fourth successive win saw Sevilla move to the top of the table as they overcame Celta Vigo 2-1 as those around them stutter. 

At the other end of the table, Leganes were the big winners as they secured a 1-0 win over relegation rivals Rayo Vallecano, with they the only team to secure a positive result of those currently mired in the bottom six. Another of those, Girona, failed to make home advantage count in an entertaining 3-2 loss to Eibar, but it didn’t stop Cristhian Stuani from getting on the scoresheet once again, with the Uruguayan bagging a brace in the victory. 

The striker has now scored more goals (8) than any other La Liga player this term and has scored eight of Girona’s 10 league goals this season. While on the losing side against Eibar, his performance secured him the WhoScored man of the match award with a 8.52 rating, that better than any other player in gameweek eight of the 2018/19 campaign. His two goals came from three shots, while six aerial duels won and one successful dribble contributed to such a respectable score. 

A familiar face claims second spot in the best-rated podium of the week as Lionel Messi again came to the rescue for Barcelona. The Blaugrana have won just one of their last five competitive matches, but a 1-1 draw with Valencia saw them fail to win a fourth successive league outing for the first time since 2016. Messi again scored for Ernesto Valverde’s side, taking his total to six for the La Liga campaign, with his goal coming from six shots, while four successful dribbles and two key passes was enough to secure the WhoScored man of the match award at the Mestalla. 

Rounding off the top three best performers from the week is Real Valladolid midfielder Ruben Alcaraz as the La Liga returnees continue to impress. A three-match winning run has propelled them up to seventh in the table, with midfielder Alcaraz a key player in their 1-0 win over SD Huesca. The Spaniard netted the winning goal on the half hour mark, that coming from one of four shots. Additionally, returns of four aerial duels won, three tackles and one successful dribble was enough to land the WhoScored man of the match accolade in the victory. 

The trio impressed, but it was a gameweek to forget for Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon. Los Leones lost Friday’s Basque Derby to Real Sociedad 3-1 with the young goalkeeper faltering at San Mames. He failed to make a save in the defeat, nor did he make a successful cross claim, as Athletic Club faltered on home turf.