Welcome back to my Team of the Month series and it’s time to return to Spain and see who has been making an impact in La Liga in games played between 20th September and 21st October.
Three players have retained their place from last month’s team so let’s crack on and see who made the cut.
GK – Miguel Ángel Moyà (Getafe) 29 years old
Getafe got off to a bad start this month with a heavy defeat to Real Madrid but they have won 4 in a row since then. Moya has played a big part in this by keeping 3 clean sheets and Getafe are now right in the mix for European places.
RB – Álvaro Arroyo (Getafe) 25 years old
Arroyo is the second Getafe player in this month’s team and it’s no less than they deserve in what was a great month for the club. Arroyo played his part in the defensive effort and also popped up with a goal against Celta Vigo.
LB – Filipe Luís (Atletico Madrid) 28 years old
It has been a great season for Atletico so far and they are emerging as a serious threat to Real and Barca. Luis has been in great form this month and he if he can keep it up he might force his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad.
CB – Jérémy Mathieu (Valencia) 29 years old
Mathieu has been operating in a central role this season but he hasn’t looked out of place. His performances have been consistent and maybe as he gets older he will make the move to centre back a permanent one.
CB – Marc Bartra (Barcelona) 22 years old
I don’t remember much about Bartra before he played against Celtic in last years Champions League but any time I’ve seen him I’ve thought he has potential. Once again he returned to the team in time to face Celtic and in 4 league appearances this month he has been excellent and even got himself a goal against Real Sociedad.
CM – Pape Diop (Levante) 27 years old
Diop was the stand out in what was a good month for Levante. They won 2, drew 2 and were extremely unlucky to lose to Real Madrid. He has been in excellent form and even scored 2 goals including the winner against Celta Vigo.
CM – Ivan Rakitić (Sevilla) 25 years old
Rakitić was in last month’s team but he hasn’t let his performances drop and fully deserves to retain his place in the team after adding 3 goals and an assist to his tally for the season.
CM – Éver Banega (Valencia) 25 years old
The Argentina international has been in good form this month playing in a deeper role than he did in the first month of the season. He still managed a goal and an assist though so it looks like he is more than capable of filling either role.
LW – Neymar (Barcelona) 21 years old
He usually plays on the left but so does another rather talented star in La Liga so, 3 forwards it is. I love this kid. Many doubted him but he is proving them wrong in spectacular fashion. If he loses the diving, cheating side to his game he can become one of the all-time greats. 2 goals & 3 assists this month is a good return from him and I expect plenty more months like that.
RW – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 28 years old
The guy is unstoppable at times and he has retained his place from last months team. He had 6 goals in 5 games this month and it’s impossible to not pick him on that form.
CF – Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid) 25 years old
Diego Costa is another man who retains his place from last month’s team and once again he has done it in style. He had 6 goals in 5 games but perhaps more importantly he got the winner in the Madrid derby. He has plenty of competition in Spain but for now he’s more than holding his own amongst the best forwards in La Liga.