Lionel Messi(ah) takes a break but Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes an overdue appearance in our latest Team of the Week.

By Abhishek Mehrotra

Andres Palop (Villareal 3-0 Sevilla)
Sevilla leaked three goals through some horrific defending and had it not been for Palop's commanding performance between the sticks, the leak would have turned into a torrent. Stopped at least four strikes seemingly destined for the net and saved his side the embarrassment of an absolute hiding.

Carlos Diogo (Real Zaragoza 3-0 Valencia)
Diogo's thunderbolt probably scorched the hair of every defender it passed on his way to the top corner; such was the ferocity with which it was hit. The right-back was a menace throughout the game - leading the los Che a merry dance on the flank.

Gabriel Milito (Real Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona)
The champions had the woodwork and Milito to thank for edging a surprisingly tight match. Mallorca looked especially dangerous in the first half. It took the crossbar and some industrial strength tackling from the centre-back to deny the home side. Milito was a lurking presence in attack as well - and might well have had a goal if not for the trapeze-artist like skills of Dudu Aouate.

Alberto Botia (Espanyol 0-0 Sporting Gijon)
Botia provided the defensive performance of a turgid match. Helped out his fellow centre-back Gregory Arnolin as Espanyol threatened to poke some large holes in the Gijon defence. Was the spine of the Gijon backline - and made some useful forward runs as well.

Joan Capdevila - (Villareal 3-0 Sevilla)
Steered the Yellow Submarine to safety with a stellar defensive performance. Was not in the best of form going forward - but his important interventions at the back were crucial in Villareal's victory.

Francisco Punal (Osasuna 1-0 Almeria)
Directed play from his deep-lying position in midfield with some sharp passing. His dead-ball delivery was right on the money too, set the cat amongst Almeria's defensive pigeons time and again.

Pedro Leon (Deportivo La Coruna 1-3 Getafe)
Set the visitors on their way to a comfortable win with a jinking run through midfield that culminated in a square ball to striker Miku who slotted it in. Was heavily involved in Getafe's forward forays throughout the game and deserved a goal for his efforts.

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid 3-2 Atletico Madrid)
Got on the score-sheet and set one up for Alvaro Arbeloa with an adjective-defying pass as Real edged the Madrid derby and maintain their numero uno status in La Liga. The midfield maestro is really hitting his straps as the season enters the home stretch.

Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid 3-2 AtleticoMadrid)
Three goals in two matches propel Higuain to yet another top XI finish. The striker is flush in the middle of a purple patch - and underlining his usefulness to the side with every passing match. It would not be the wisest decision to let him go in the summer, but then wisdom is usually in short supply at the Bernabeu.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Real Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona)
The Swede finally seems to have located his shooting boots. With three goals in eight days, Ibrahimovic is yet another Barcelona forward on song - which means we can expect en masse defensive retirements in the coming few weeks.

Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao 4-3 Racing Santander)
It was the Fernando Llorente show at San Mames. The out-of-favour Spanish striker scored two and set one up for fellow striker Gaizka Toquero as the Bilbao faithful were treated to a rousing encounter.