La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 38

While fewer than half of the games had anything at stake, there was no shortage of goalmouth action in La Liga's final week. True, some games - most notably Getafe and Betis' 1-1 draw - passed without too much incident, as did Almería's 3-1 win at Espanyol. But Sevilla took out their frustrations on Athletic by four goals to one, while Valencia punished a lethargic Atlético 3-1. Villarreal capped a memorable season with a 2-0 win over high-flying Deportivo at the Riazor, while the day before, Murcia were swept aside 5-3 by Barcelona. Not to be outdone, Real Madrid preceded their trohpy presentation with a 5-2 win over Levante.

In the games with true meaning, Real Zaragoza succumbed to relegation against a buoyant Mallorca side after the islanders won 3-2 at San Moix, while Valladolid and Recreativo both stay up after their 1-1 draw in Huelva. Osasuna couldn't do enough to gain a point at Racing, meaning that the Santander men advance to the UEFA Cup after a dramatic, 1-0 win.

This week's XI lines up 4-4-2.

Sergio Asenjo
Sergio Ramos - Albiol - César Navas - Capdevila
Felipe Melo - Guti - Giovani - Courtois
Kanouté - David Villa

Goalkeeper

Sergio Asenjo (Valladolid): He succumbed to a goal only in the 93rd minute, by which time his side was safe anyway. The young 'keeper has enjoyed a brilliant debut season, and he capped it off with a wonderful showing in Huelva against Recreativo.

Defenders

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid): Ramos is included not so much for his defensive performance as his attacking nous. It was a Dani Alves-esque showing from the Spanish international, who was a constant thorn in in the side of the Granota.

Raúl Albiol (Valencia): A season to forget for Valencia, but still a performance to remember for Albiol. Not until Agüero came on did he look ruffled, and even then he was the best of the Che back four.

César Navas (Racing): Calm, confident stuff: his presence ensured that what was a depleted Racing back line didn't rest on their laurels.

Capdevila (Villarreal): Yes, Capdevila again. It's true that Depor had their chances against Villarreal at the Riazor, but the Catalan helped secure a clean sheet for his side and put in a power of work further forward, culminating in an assist for Guille Franco

Midfielders

Félipe Melo (Almería): A great performance, complete with a goal, for the Brazilian. The 24-yaer-old bade farewell to his rojiblanco teammates with a showing that will have his new employers at Fiorentina licking their lips in anticipation. He could very well grace the Champions League next season - a fine reward for a fine season.

Guti (Real Madrid): The master of the deft assist, Guti showed his true worth as he exploited any given gap in the Levante defence to provide the blanco attackers with chances. Here he did what he does best.

Giovani Dos Santos (Barcelona): A masterful display from a kid who Barcelona have just found out might be an attacking midfielder instead of a forward. A hat-trick's just the half of it: this was brash, energetic and scintillating stuff; it was "only" Murcia, but he still did everything right.

Laurent Courtois (Levante): He and Alex Geijo ensured that the Bernabéu encounter wasn't a rout: a good, old-fashioned, left-wing performance helped his side towards a respectable two-goal tally.

Strikers

Fredi Kanouté (Sevilla): Two goals and a return to form for the Malian. There was no arguing with his performance, one that was reminiscent of happier times last season.

David Villa (Valencia): The same goes for Villa, who gave the Che fans what is quite possibly the last ever glimpse of his scoring a brace in the hallowed Valencia shirt. Confident stuff.
Sergio Asenjo
Sergio Ramos - Albiol - César Navas - Capdevila
Felipe Melo - Guti - Giovani - Courtois
Kanouté - David Villa

Honourable Mentions

Ruud Van Nistelrooy comes first: any other week would have seen him in the side, but the exploits of Villa and Kanouté see him as the "third striker." Ricardo Oliveira is the fourth: his side went down, but he worked so hard. Webó and Güiza formed Pa great double act for their tormentors.

Diego López can't stop putting in great performances for Villarreal, and he continued that. 'Matigol' Fernádez was equally as impressive. Eidur Gudjohnsen was on song for Barcelona, as was Thierry Henry. Most of the Real Madrid side did well, too, not least Mahamadou Diarrà, Marcelo and Wesley Sneijder. David Cortés did everything right for Getafe against Betis, except when he missed a penalty, while Pédro López wasn't half bad for Valladolid.

Iván Bolado managed a season-saving goal for Racing despite being on the pitch a mere twenty minutes, so he gets the final mention.


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Alves Wants Swift Departure

Alves, 25, has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks and although he wouldn't reveal his next destination, he does hope that a deal will be concluded shortly that sees him move away from the Sanchez Pizjuan.

"My desire is to leave as soon as possible and I hope that negotiations are completed in the near future, although you never know what can happen," he told reporters outside the club's training facilities on Monday.

The Brazilian full-back was expected to leave Sevilla last summer, only for club president Jose Maria Del Nido to reject a size-able bid from Chelsea for his services - a decision that caused a lot of tension between Alves and the club.

Despite sporting director Ramon Monchi indicating that they are yet to receive what they deem as an acceptable offer for his services, Alves is convinced that his time in Seville has come to an end and that he will be moving on in time for next season.

"We all now leave for our summer vacations, but I definitely won't return. This has been known for a while and is certain," he concluded.


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Txiki On Pique, Transfer Plans

A report in the Daily Mail suggested that Barça were close to agreeing a £6million deal to re-sign Pique, who came through the youth ranks at the Catalan giants before joining United in 2004, and Txiki has confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.

"Talks are at a very advanced stage," he told reporters on Monday. "He is one of the players that we are most interested in."

If Pique does sign on the dotted line then he would become the first signing of what is seen as a new era at the Camp Nou, with Josep Guardiola ready to take the reigns from Frank Rijkaard and attempt to lead the team back to the top after two seasons with a trophy.

Much Activity

There are expected to be a number of comings and goings at the club in the next few months and Txiki confirmed that Jose Manuel Pinto, Lilian Thuram, Edmilson and Santiago Ezquerro will all leave when their current contract expire over the summer.

Brazilian full-back Silvinho will be offered a new contract as "he has done well when called upon" and "has a good influence in the dressing room," but his compatriot Ronaldinho and Portuguese midfielder Deco will both be on their way out.

Txiki suggested that there is a possibly that Samuel Eto'o could depart over the summer, although insisted that the four signings from last summer - Eric Abidal, Gabi Milito, Yaya Toure and Thierry Henry - would all remain at Barça for next season.

New Coach

With Guardiola set to take charge at the end of May, Txiki - who played alongside Guardiola during the 'dream team' years - is glad to have someone coming in that understands "the philosophy of the club and how things work on a day-to-day basis."

He also indicated that Guardiola had already made some requests to the board as to changes that he would like to see implemented in time for next season.

"We have not imposed anything on him. He has requested some changes from us in relation to the control he has over the team and we are analysing those requests in order to conclude whether or not they can be carried out," he concluded.


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Casillas Dedicates Zamora Trophy To Teammates

The Mostolés-born stopper shipped only 32 goals in 36 games this season - the same as last year's winner, Roberto 'Pato' Abbonzanieri of Getafe.

He said to the Real Madrid website after receiving his award, "The truth is that I'm very excited by this. But this is an award that I must share with the rest of the team, who have been fantastic all season. Without them I could not have done it.

"Nobody likes conceding goals and that's especially true of goalkeepers, but given the average of recent years I'm not complaining about this total. Plus, Real Madrid always attack. That's why we need to give credit to the defenders and the whole team - we all attack so we all must defend, and that's what gave us this total."

Special Case

Casillas is a special case among Madrid 'keepers for this reason, as the stopper himself noted.

"Being a low-conceding 'keeper at Madrid is difficult for the attacking reasons, as well as others such as pressure and the need to concentrate.

"It's been 16 years since a Madrid 'keeper won? That's a long time. I believe that a Madrid goalie must always fight for this award, just as the strikers aim for the 'Pichichi' trophy. That's good for the team, and means that we're fighting for the Liga as well as other tournaments.

"My message to the other 'keepers? The same as I've said: this is a great honour and a source of pride. They won it before and I know from experience how hard one must fight and work to gain it. For me, as a goalkeeper and a Madridista, I'm proud to have followed those who made history."


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Robinho: I'm Not Leaving Madrid

The Brazilian has found himself increasingly ostracised from the first eleven in recent weeks as Arjen Robben takes over the left wing role.

Rumours of extracurricular indiscretions abound, too, but the man himself is eager to point out that he'll still be a Madrid player next year.

He did this while stating that he didn't hear the whistles from some of the fans that were apparently directed towards him during his side's 5-2 win over Levante.

"I just heard applause," he shrugged to Marca.

"This won't be my last title with Madrid because I'm going nowhere. I'm going to be here for years.

"I'm delighted for the trophy that we won this season. It's well deserved. We are just winners and now we'll celebrate with our fans."

He added, "We're champions and I'm happy with the party and the title. I hope that next season will be even better. I want to be here for many years and win many more leagues."


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Capdevila: Madrid Deserve It

The Fans Deserve It - Guti

The veteran midfielder spoke to Marca after his side's 5-2 win over Levante at the Bernabéu.

"The Liga is very important to us, particularly after last season when our win signalled an end to years without titles.

"We've had a great season, and it's tremendous to win a second consecutive Liga."

Despite being pleased to lift the trophy in front of the Madrid faithful, he confided that actually sealing the title against Osasuna in Pamplona was even better.

"It's always best to win it first off, which happened in Pamplona, but the Real Madrid fans deserved a tribute like today," he said.

International Talk

Guti, like Raúl, was omitted from Spain boss Luis Aragonés' preliminary squad to contest the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

He admitted his disappointment, saying, "I'd have loved to have been in the selección.

"But now I just need to work hard to be at the next World Cup."


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Deportivo Make Bravo Move

Bravo, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season and is seeking a move to Europe after spending his entire career with Chivas, for whom he has scored over one hundred goals since making his debut in 2001.

Racing Santander have previously shown an interest in the Mexican, but it now seems as if Deportivo are ready to jump to the head of the queue for his signature after club president Augusto César Lendoiro met with his agents during the week to initiate talks.

Lendoiro is keen to build on an excellent season half of the season and having already secured the permanent services of Angel Lafita and Filipe Luis - Christian Wilhelmsson to follow - he has his eyes set on a forward and central midfielder to fill out the squad.

Depor have been caught short in both positions during the season and Bravo would appear to be an ideal fit for the latter position, especially as he will be available on a free transfer.

If Bravo does agree terms with Depor then it would require the club to part with one of their current non-EU players in order to make space for him in the squad.

With Bravo's compatriot Andres Guarado and Canadian Julien de Guzman guaranteed two of the three slots, that would leave Uruguayan forward Sebastian Taborda as the player who would have to move on over the summer.


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