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We have picked a team of 11 players that best fit into a 4-3-3 (flat) formation for our LaLiga team of the week.
LaLiga round 20 has come to an end, and although we still have 18 games to go, this game week had a lot to say in the way of the title race.
We witnessed Real Madrid fail to keep pace with the league leaders as they lost to Mallorca before Barcelona made their climb even steeper with their victory against Sevilla that sent the Blaugrana eight points clear.
It was not a straightforward week for the top teams in LaLiga, with only Barcelona managing to pick up maximum points within the top six.
Real Sociedad saw their ten-game unbeaten run come to an end with a defeat to Real Valladolid, while Atletico Madrid’s epileptic form continued as they drew against Getafe.
The players at the forefront of the dramatic game week have been cut down to 11 that best fit into a 4-3-3 (flat) formation for the Pulse Sports LaLiga team of the week.
Goalkeeper: Stole Dimitievski (Rayo Vallecano) vs Almeria
In a game where both goalkeepers were at their best, Stole Dimitrievski edged his counterpart.
The Macedonian shot-stopper helped his team keep a clean sheet against Almeria in their 2-1 win.
The goalkeeper was dominant in his penalty area and outside of it, making four high claims and four successful runouts along with his five saves.
Right-back: Pablo Maffeo (Mallorca) v Real Madrid
Maffeo had the most unsavoury of tasks in this game, taking Hack-a-shaq to another level with his handling of Vinicius.
With Benzema absent, Vinicius was Madrid's main offensive outlet. The Brazilian did not have a lot of joy on the left flank as Maffeo did all it took to frustrate him, even employing dirty tactics.
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Maffeo made six tackles, five clearances, and two interceptions. He picked up a yellow card for excessive fouling, but it did not stop him from doing his job, which limited Real Madrid to only one shot on target that came from the penalty spot.
Centre-back: Santiago Bueno (Girona) vs Valencia
Santiago Bueno was unplayable in Girona's triumph over Valencia, with dominant displays on and off the ball.
Bueno was crucial to his team's ball-playing, which helped them keep Valencia on the ropes, making 109 touches and completing 85 passes.
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The Uruguayan was no slouch defensively either, completing five tackles, and four clearances, including winning 100 per cent of the ground duels he engaged in.
Centre-back: Andreas Christensen (Barcelona) v Sevilla
It was another day in the office for Christensen, who has seen his prominence rise in the Barcelona squad. The centre-back, who was signed for free and intended as a squad player, has now cemented his place in Xavi's "Gala 11' and his performance against Sevilla was one such example that has earned him the admiration of Barcelona fans who previously had mixed feelings about his signing.
It was not a dominant defensive display of the type where a centre-back makes several tackles; he did not have to, as Barcelona had Sevilla pinned back, and his ball-playing was an integral part of it.
The Dane had 111 touches of the ball and made an impressive 101 passes with a 95% completion rate. Christensen was instrumental in preventing Sevilla from having an out ball aerially as Barcelona pressed them high, winning six of seven aerial duels.
Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona) vs Sevilla
Jordi Alba had one of those games where he rolled back the years. The Spaniard was a force for Barcelona offensively, serving up three key passes and completing 100% of his dribbles. Alba also got Barcelona's go-ahead goal in a game where Sevilla were hard to break down, opening them up to more intrusions.
Centre midfielder: Oihan Sancet (Athletic Club) v Cadiz
The midfielder was unplayable against Cadiz, helping his club pick up their first league win since the World Cup break.
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Sancet scored a brace in the first-half and one more in the second for his hat-trick accentuating what was already a complete midfield performance.
Centre midfielder: Aleix Garcia (Girona) v Valencia
Aleix Garcia is the second Girona player to make it into the team of the week after their 1-0 win over Valencia.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who was once on the books of Manchester City, was unplayable in the triumph over the Bats.
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The Spanish midfielder made a game-high seven key passes, completed seven of ten attempted long balls, and made six of twelve attempted crosses.
Centre midfielder: Gabriel Veiga Real Betis v (Celta Vigo)
Veiga is part of a new breed of Spanish midfielders who, along with their guile, are adept at making runs into the box and have high-level shooting techniques that help them score goals in volume. Sancet and Villarreal's Baena are also of this ilk.
The midfielder scored a brace in the goal fest between Real Betis and Celta Vigo to take his season tally to six league goals.
Right winger: Raphinha (Barcelona) v Sevilla
in the absence of Ousmane Dembele Barcelona looked to Raphinha for inspiration in attack, and the Brazilian did not disappoint.
He was heavily involved in Barcelona's first goal and personally assisted the second before scoring the third.
Centre forward: Jorgen Strand Larsen Real Betis v (Celta Vigo)
Larsen only scored one goal in a 4-3 thriller; however, the big Norwegian was integral to the Celta’s devastating attack on the day, and he added an assist to his goal.
The 23-year-old was a constant thorn in the side of Real Betis' defenders and proved a handful to handle all through the game.
Left winger: Pere Milla (Elche) vs Villarreal
Elche had not won a single game after 19 LaLiga matches until Pere Milla decided to put on his Superman cape.
The 30-year-old was at his brilliant best as his hat-trick powered Elche past Villarreal in a 3-1 victory.
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