When at its greatest, La Liga can throw up probably the most entertaining of seasons, and on proof so far, 2024/25 seems to be no totally different.
At present providing a three-horse title race, a number of groups on the hunt for European competitors, and a relegation battle prepared for continuation into the second half of the season – this marketing campaign may have all of it.
Now as we exit the winter break, the three kings have delivered their presents, however right here we’re sending flowers to those that have outlined the virtually first half of the marketing campaign, with the La Liga Workforce of the Season to this point.
GK – Jan Oblak – Atletico Madrid
Goalkeepers are sometimes a byproduct of your entire defensive unit, performing as a backstop ought to the staunch system in entrance be crushed. Within the case of Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak, he’s normally the distinction as Diego Simeone’s aspect look to swing these nice margins.
He’s not massively energetic, solely dealing with a median of three.06 pictures per 90 minutes performed, but has the very best save proportion of any within the division (77.8%), simply edging the excellent Alex Remiro of Actual Sociedad. Along with his alertness throughout Atleti’s extra dominant video games, he has proven an immense shot-stopping capability when examined ceaselessly.
Barcelona did precisely that through the ultimate conflict earlier than the winter break, as he confronted 1.89 Anticipated Targets, and solely conceded one. His efficiency, and significantly the 2 late one-on-one saves from Raphinha and Pedri’s late efforts – helped Atleti welcome Christmas at pole place in La Liga.
Notable point out: Alex Remiro (Actual Sociedad).
RB – Oscar Mingueza – Celta Vigo
Not many may have seen Oscar Mingueza’s transition into one of many division’s most attacking wing-backs coming. If you happen to did, kudos to you. Both approach, he leads the best way amongst defenders for aim contributions within the division with 5 assists and one aim.
An actual beneficiary of head coach Claudio Giraldez’s 3-4-3 system, wherein the slender entrance three of which suck play into the center of the sphere. This leaves loads of channel area for Mingueza and reverse wing-back Hugo Alvarez to take advantage of – and exploit they’ve.
Notable mentions: Jon Aramburu (Actual Sociedad), Jules Kounde (Barcelona).
CB – Dani Vivian – Athletic Membership
La Liga is awash with strong, sturdy centre-halves, however Dani Vivian of Athletic Membership has stood out as the perfect this season.
His tactical astuteness, positioning, and consciousness are qualities that far exceed what one may anticipate from a 25-year-old with simply three full seasons within the prime flight. Vivian shutting down Kylian Mbappe earlier within the marketing campaign was the right showcase all of those qualities.
Ernesto Valverde’s outfit look so a lot better with him within the group, Vivian’s club-fourth-highest internet xG throughout his appearances proves that (+0.45). The Spaniard is ready to manipulate Los Leones’ defensive unit for the years to come back.
Notable point out: Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Antonio Rudiger (Actual Madrid).
CB – Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona
Arguably the perfect passing centre-back within the division, if not him then his associate, Inigo Martinez may take that acclaim. Nonetheless simply 17-years-old, Pau Cubarsi has developed into an actual level of promise for Hansi Flick.
Typically discovered punching line-breaking passes into midfield, or catching opposition constructions unaware with fast switches – the teenager ranks highest for medium-length passes (15-30-yards) amongst the division’s central-defenders.
Cubarsi’s journey from budding prospect to ever-reliable chief throughout the Barcelona back-line is one to admire. He stays key to Barca’s successes so far in 24/25.
Notable mentions: Nayef Aguerd (Actual Sociedad), Inigo Martinez (Barcelona).
LB – Miguel Gutierrez – Girona
Artistic and dynamic, left-sided defender Miguel Gutierrez has been a standout performer for Girona as they steadily purpose to copy the heights of final season. At simply 23, he excels each as an inverted full-back and an overlapping presence, showcasing his capability to be a inventive pressure in both function.
A robust ball service with sharp decision-making in tight areas, Gutierrez leads all La Liga full-backs in profitable crosses (5.74 p/90) and key passes (1.66 p/90), underlining his affect within the ultimate third.
Given his spectacular improvement final season and his continued impression this yr, Actual Madrid could be contemplating a reunion with their former participant this summer time, three years after letting him go away.
Notable point out: Sergi Cardona (Villarreal).
DM – Martin Zubimendi – Actual Sociedad
The , Martin Zubimendi, has continued to show the shape that noticed him flip down curiosity from the likes of Liverpool in the summertime. Actual Sociedad’s summer time exits didn’t assist him both, leaving him to develop relationships with a contrasting midfield and defensive unit.
Typically tasked with being the backstop for Imanol Alguacil’s vigorous urgent routines as they bounce ahead, the 25-year-old has mopped up these chaotic strikes exceptionally nicely this season. Zubimendi stays within the prime 11% amongst midfielders for dribblers tackled, and within the prime seven % for mixed tackles and interceptions.
Time will inform whether or not Zubimendi stays at La Actual, however relaxation assured, he stands out as the perfect defensive midfielder within the division.
Notable mentions: Marc Casado (Barcelona), Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid), Dario Essugo (Las Palmas).
CM – Alex Baena – Villarreal
Weaving, defence-splitting maestro Alex Baena is as tenacious as he’s ingenious, topping nearly each inventive midfield metric in La Liga.
Normally pitched on the left-hand-side of Villarreal’s 4-4-2, Baena tends to float infield to the half area to hyperlink then Yellow Submarine assaults. The 23-year-old leads the best way for shot-creating actions (6.99 p/90), passes into the penalty space (2.75 p/90), non-penalty xG and xA.
Baena’s 4 targets and 5 assists have thrust him into Luis de la Fuente’s nationwide group set-up, and provides him a spot as the perfect inventive midfielder within the division.
Notable mentions: Pedri (Barcelona), Oihan Sancet (Athletic Membership).
CM – Federico Valverde – Actual Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti’s ever-industrial choose in midfield, and sometimes on the right-side of his defence, Federico Valverde is on monitor for an additional stellar season. Scoring 5 targets, all from exterior the penalty space and a mixed 0.70 xG – the Uruguayan’s piledriver of a proper boot has come in useful for Los Blancos.
Alongside his goalscoring prowess, Valverde provides ahead gusto to a ceaselessly disconnected Madrid outfit, and ranks within the prime 10% of carries made by midfielders within the league. Not solely that, the 26-year-old is there to mop up these assaults ought to they lose the ball – sitting within the prime seven % for dribblers tackled, and the highest 5 % for interceptions.
An actual all-rounder, and a participant moulding right into a management determine inside Ancelotti’s dressing room, Valverde deserves his spot on this XI.
Notable mentions: Jude Bellingham (Actual Madrid), Giovanni Lo Celso (Actual Betis).
RW – Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
His accidents, and Barcelona’s coinciding drops in kind throughout these intervals show simply how essential Lamine Yamal is to Flick’s group. Probably the most productive and harmful dribblers in world soccer, the 17-year-old seems to be to hug the touchline, earlier than marauding in the direction of the aim with intent to create.
Yamal welcomes the second-half of the marketing campaign because the league’s highest assister (9), even after lacking three league video games because of harm. The La Masia product is within the prime two % for take-ons tried, progressive passes obtained, attacking third touches and assists per 90 – magnifico.
Barcelona should really feel like they’ve hit the jackpot with him and Cubarsi each of their ranks on the similar time.
Notable mentions: Inaki Williams (Athletic Membership), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla).
ST – Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
His final month of barely extra sluggish goalscoring exploits shouldn’t detract from Robert Lewandowski’s early-season kind, which noticed him shoot into the Golden Boot lead with 16 targets.
Typically present in deeper areas to create numerical benefits in Flick’s system, the 36-year-old defies his age to then make the field and end off attacking strikes.
He underperforms his xG ever so barely (-1.58), which may result in a decline in kind through the second a part of the season. However for now, Lewandowski begins the calendar yr with a five-goal lead over his rivals.
Notable mentions: Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Actual Madrid).
LW – Raphinha – Barcelona
Raphinha has already overtaken his greatest inventive season in Barcelona colors, grabbing a mixed 17 targets and assists. He rounds off a Barca-dominated entrance three, the Brazilian has been a revelation for Flick’s outfit.
He affords a constant ‘out ball’ when his centre-backs search for these punching passes into midfield, inverting to suck his markers infield. That is extremely helpful when dealing with a man-for-man urgent construction.
Second solely to teammate Yamal for assists, Raphinha has created probably the most possibilities within the league (64), coupled with the very best xA within the division – nicely worthy of a spot on this aspect.
Notable mentions: Vinicius Junior (Actual Madrid), Bryan Zaragoza (Osasuna).