LA LIGA Team of Round 21

Let's go with a 4-3-3 this week. Yes finally 4 defenders! This week is a tribute to some of the journeymen in La Liga.

IN GOAL: DIEGO LOPEZ (VILLARREAL)

The Spanish International was on his game, in a thrilling 0-1 win at fortress Cornellá Prat. This was a very important win, as Villarreal had been shakey away, in the first half of the season. The shotstopper produced several critical saves on Callejon, Javi Marques and Verdú.

IN DEFENSE: IRAOLA (ATHLETIC CLUB), SERGIO (OSASUNA), ABIDAL (BARCA), CANELLA (SPORTING)

Iraola has been performing at an extremely high level. He is one of the reasons that Athletic Bilbao is vying for a European spot this year. Two assists to Toquero that resulted in a brace. Add to that, solid defending in ACB's away win at the Vicente Calderon.

Osasuna's Sergio had an amazing game keeping Benzema, Cristiano and Adebayor at bay. Numerous shots on goal, but the team from Pamplona refused to budge. He was a wall.

With the injury to Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal needed to step into the center of defense and pair up with Pique. No problem for the French International. It took awhile for the blaugrana to breakdown Hercules, but the speedy defender never faltered.

Roberto Canella has earned back his starting place at left back for Sporting Gijón. Against the Barallets, he was a dangerous threat on the left, even forcing Kevin to score an own goal. The kid's kind of special.

IN MIDFIELD: CAMUNAS (OSASUNA) JAVI MARQUES (ESPANYOL), BERTOLO (ZARAGOZA)

The underrated Camuñas was a constant threat to the Madrid backline and wings. He played with stealth, speed and intelligence and earned the game winning goal. Tremendous work rate.

Not sure why Pochettino took off Javi Marques in the 60th minute against a very difficult Villarreal, as he was the best player on the pitch. He consistently pushed the team on, to attack Diego Lopez' goal. Marques is one of the many young revelations at the club.

The on loan Argentine striker from Palermo, Nicolas Bertolo, played hard and eked out the equalizer against Málaga. It was the adrenaline shot that spurred on los Maños to an eventual away win and 3 golden points, in operation salvation.

UPFRONT: CAICEDO (LEVANTE), TAMUDO (REAL SOCIEDAD), NEGREDO (SEVILLA)

The player with the highest rate of success in front of goal this season is Felipe Caicedo. On loan from Manchester City, he garnered another fabulous performance for the struggling Valencian side. 3 essential points against a free falling Getafe at home, was a necessity. Caicedo produced a lovely assist and a goal to top it all off.

With the recent back injury to Joseba Llorente, the ex Espanyol veteran Raul Tamudo, finally got a start for La Real. He came out flying. Initially taken aback as the referee failed to call two clear penalties. The Spanish International took fate into his own hands and produced an assist and a goal. The latter in the midst of a torrential rain storm. No matter, 3 points for the Basque club puts them ever closer to safety.

A red card to Andres Palop early in the game and going two goals down by the 60th minute, one might think that Sevilla were going to go home without any points. But Alvaro Negredo fought tooth and nail and earned a brace. The first goal was very opportunistic, while the second goal that put 10 men Sevilla ahead, was a bit of class. At the end, Depor's Laure equalized, so they split the points. But the ex Rayo Vallecano canterano put on an amazing fighting display.