La Liga Valora Futbol Fans' top five: Madrid's 'B' team duo shine

Sport360 staff 11:04 10/05/2017
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  • James shines for Real.

    Each week, Sport360 brings you the best five players from La Liga, as chosen by you the supporters through our ValoraFutbol fan ratings tool.

    YOU have direct influence on who appears in each Top Five, so be sure to rate each weekend.

    What do you make of this week’s ratings?

    Share with us your thoughts by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    1. JAMES RODRIGUEZ (REAL MADRID) – 7.7

    Zinedine Zidane has famously made a habit of full-scale rotation in between Champions League games this season, and there have even been questions about whether Real Madrid’s ‘B’ team is even better than the ‘A’ team. The reserves have certainly been dominant in recent outings, led by players like Isco, Alvaro Morata, and, on Saturday, James Rodriguez.

    The Colombian’s brace kept up a fine run of form, which must make him wonder what more he has to do to earn Zidane’s faith and graduate to the first-choice XI. It’s no wonder there are strong rumours linking him with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

    2. EZEQUIEL GARAY (VALENCIA) – 7.7 

    Ezequiel Garay has been solid at the back during Valencia’s bid to turnaround their season after another horrible start, but on Sunday it was his presence in the opposition box that was crucial to Los Che’s win. The Argentinian’s brace helped his side cruise to a 4-1 victory over bottom side Osasuna.

    Valencia had secured their safety a while ago, although this is a club used to fighting at the other end of the table, and given their poor showing in recent years, they will struggle to keep hold of Garay.

    3. LIONEL MESSI (BARCELONA) – 7.7

    While Neymar stole the headlines on Sunday with a dazzling display against Villarreal, a certain Argentinian brought up 50 goals for the season across all competitions with a brace.

    The maestro has carried Barcelona this season, almost single-handedly keeping them in the title race. Although no such heroics were needed this time, as the Blaugrana cruised to a 4-1 victory, his two-goal haul was another reminder that while his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo is shining on the European stage, Messi and his teammates will not give up their Spanish crown without a fight.

    4. SIMONE ZAZA (VALENCIA) – 7.6

    The Italian is unrecognizable from the player who had little to no impact in the Premier League, struggling to produce anything for West Ham.

    A January move to Valencia has brought out the best in Zaza, who scored the third in Valencia’s 4-1 win. That was his sixth goal for the Whites, and he has certainly made his presence felt in Spain. Hammers fans will be forgiven for wondering where this Zaza was six months ago.

    5. ALVARO MORATA (REAL MADRID) – 7.6

    Another who has benefited from Real Madrid’s rotation policy, and another who will wonder why he isn’t making the step up to the first XI. Morata bagged another brace to bring his total to 20 goals across all competitions this season, more than Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema.

    Yet despite outscoring his more illustrious teammates, Morata has had to be content with a place on the bench, starting only when the big guns are rested. Real Madrid’s strength in depth is astonishing, but how long will they be able to keep all the players who would easily get first-team minutes elsewhere?

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