Goalkeeper \u2013 Aaron Escandell \u2013 Real Oviedo<\/h2>\n![\"Real](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\")
Image via EP \/ Las Provincias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRemarkable as it may sound for the joint-third worst defence in the division, it could have been much worse. Aaron Escandell has made a number of miraculous saves to keep Los Carbayones in games, when their torrid attacking form has provided little hope. He ranks<\/a> top for saves in the big five European leagues (80), and 4th in La Liga for save percentage. Comparing the goals expected to goals against, he is top in Spain, with a remarkable balance of 6.5.<\/p>\nHonourable mentions: Thibaut Courtois, Joan Garcia<\/h3>\nRight-back \u2013 Marcos Llorente \u2013 Atletico Madrid<\/h2>\nImage via Clive Mason\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nReturning to the Spain team, it\u2019s been a while since Marcos Llorente felt like a makeshift option at right-back. Llorente gives Atletico a thrust and competitive edge on the flank, that is hard to quantify especially when doubled up with Giuliano Simeone.<\/p>\n
Honourable mention: Andrei Ratiu, Santiago Mourino<\/h3>\nCentre-back \u2013 Eder Militao \u2013 Real Madrid<\/h2>\nImage via Denis Doyle\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWe were a little concerned by the injuries, but 13 appearances means Eder Militao has just done enough to be included \u2013 not least because Real Madrid have fallen apart at the back without him. For him to return and become a starter after two ACL injuries is an achievement in itself, but he was the glue for Xabi Alonso\u2019s backline.<\/p>\n
Honourable mentions: Pedro Bigas, Nahuel Tenaglia<\/h3>\nCentre-back \u2013 David Affengruber \u2013 Elche<\/h2>\nImage via Gol Digital<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nElche defender David Affengruber was an unknown<\/a> when he came into La Liga, but has been all-action, and about as flawless as Eder Sarabia could hope for. Providing a strong tackler at the back, Affengruber\u2019s reading of the game and prowess on the ball have stood out this season. Elche look very pretty on going forward, but Affengruber has been the bedrock to build on.<\/p>\nHonourable mentions: Jose Maria Gimenez, Leandro Cabrera<\/h3>\nLeft-back \u2013 Carlos Romero \u2013 Espanyol<\/h2>\nImage via Cadena Cope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAlready Carlos Romero was showing signs of excellent quality at Espanyol, but this season he has continued his rise. Capable of attacking inside and out, clever on the ball, and no less miserly than the rest of the Espanyol backline<\/a>, there can be little argument that Romero is the most complete left-back in La Liga based on performances.<\/p>\nHonourable mentions: Oscar Mingueza, German Valera, Pep Chavarria<\/h3>\nMidfielder \u2013 Pablo Fornals<\/h2>\nImage via Fran Santiago\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nA contender for player of the season so far, Pablo Fornals has been instrumental for Real Betis<\/a>. Without Isco, and with a more inconsistent Giovani Lo Celso, Fornals is the reason that Betis have continued to pick their way through teams, and for the most part from a deeper role with added defensive responsibility. Manuel Pellegrini\u2019s leader at the moment.<\/p>\nHonourable mentions: Edu Exposito, Luis Milla<\/h3>\nMidfielder \u2013 Koke Resurreccion \u2013 Atletico Madrid<\/h2>\nImage via Florencia Tan Jun\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nResurreccion is indeed the word for Koke. We are as surprised as you are, but it\u2019s hard to think of too many better, albeit this could well have been awarded to the excellent Luis Milla, or even his partner Pablo Barrios. Yet Koke\u2019s impact has been vital to sustaining Diego Simeone\u2019s side, and he is once again conducting things for Atletico. To be over-simplistic about it, Atletico\u2019s record with Koke starting is one draw and 12 wins. With Koke on the bench, two draws and three defeats\u2026<\/p>\n
Honourable mentions: Pablo Barrios, Santi Comesana<\/h3>\nMidfielder \u2013 Pedri \u2013 Barcelona<\/h2>\nImage via Pedri\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere is a tendency to under-appreciate players that are consistently very good without necessarily being flashy. Make no mistake, Pedri does have a highlight reel of magic this season, but it is his constant correction of this Barcelona side that transforms them into a different team. Barcelona have shown they can survive games without him, but that\u2019s all it is.<\/p>\n
Honourable mentions: Azzedine Ounahi, Eric Garcia<\/h3>\nRight-forward \u2013 Lamine Yamal \u2013 Barcelona<\/h2>\nImage via Stuart Franklin\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe conversation around Lamine Yamal has lost a little focus on his still brilliant football. La Liga\u2019s leading assist provider, he leads the division for successful take-ons, shot-creating actions per game, and is second only to Kylian Mbappe for goal-creating actions. The numbers don\u2019t show that he remains the most magical footballer in Spain currently.<\/p>\n
Honourable mentions: Tajon Buchanan, Giuliano Simeone<\/h3>\nForward \u2013 Kylian Mbappe \u2013 Real Madrid<\/h2>\nImage via Marca<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt is remarkable just how good Kylian Mbappe has been in such a seemingly dysfunctional team. Mbappe has 29 goals and five assists in just 24 appearances. In 2025, he has literally put up Cristiano Ronaldo numbers. Lightning quick, the feeling is for La Liga defences is that the likelihood is he will get in at some point, and it\u2019s about limiting how often at happens. The decisive player in the division currently.<\/p>\n
Honourable mentions: Borja Iglesias, Ferran Torres<\/h3>\nLeft-forward \u2013 Alberto Moleiro \u2013 Villarreal<\/h2>\nImage via Juan Manuel Serrano Arce\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDespite not starting the season as a regular, Moleiro has six goals and two assists in his 16 appearances. That puts him 8th in the goals per 90 minutes, and he is outperforming his expected goals by 2.4 (4th in La Liga); some of those goals have been both important and impressive too. Moleiro is genuine threat now, and is looking increasingly like he could actually fill the boots of Alex Baena.<\/p>\n
We admit this spot is open for contention; Raphinha has started just half of Barcelona\u2019s league games, Ez Abde has not quite converted his fantastic form into production and Vinicius Junior has a mental block in front of goal currently. Arguably the deepest spot in the division in the last two years, with Nico Williams also around, has been strangely quiet.<\/p>\n
Honourable mentions: Raphinha, Antoine Griezmann<\/h3>\n\nAs the curtain comes down on 2025, here’s your #LaLiga<\/a> Team of the Season (so far). pic.twitter.com\/iDc38Bx3PQ<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Football Espa\u00f1a (@footballespana_) December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/p>\n
The post La Liga Team of the Season so far: Two selections each for Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona<\/a> appeared first on Football Espa\u00f1a<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We\u2019re close to the halfway point in La Liga, but the winter break provides the perfect opportunity to take stock of the season…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4278"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4287,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278\/revisions\/4287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Real](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/aaron20escandell-RBDvcBu8e8C2kHlar626JCI-1200x840@Las20Provincias.jpg\")
Remarkable as it may sound for the joint-third worst defence in the division, it could have been much worse. Aaron Escandell has made a number of miraculous saves to keep Los Carbayones in games, when their torrid attacking form has provided little hope. He ranks<\/a> top for saves in the big five European leagues (80), and 4th in La Liga for save percentage. Comparing the goals expected to goals against, he is top in Spain, with a remarkable balance of 6.5.<\/p>\n Returning to the Spain team, it\u2019s been a while since Marcos Llorente felt like a makeshift option at right-back. Llorente gives Atletico a thrust and competitive edge on the flank, that is hard to quantify especially when doubled up with Giuliano Simeone.<\/p>\n We were a little concerned by the injuries, but 13 appearances means Eder Militao has just done enough to be included \u2013 not least because Real Madrid have fallen apart at the back without him. For him to return and become a starter after two ACL injuries is an achievement in itself, but he was the glue for Xabi Alonso\u2019s backline.<\/p>\n Elche defender David Affengruber was an unknown<\/a> when he came into La Liga, but has been all-action, and about as flawless as Eder Sarabia could hope for. Providing a strong tackler at the back, Affengruber\u2019s reading of the game and prowess on the ball have stood out this season. Elche look very pretty on going forward, but Affengruber has been the bedrock to build on.<\/p>\n Already Carlos Romero was showing signs of excellent quality at Espanyol, but this season he has continued his rise. Capable of attacking inside and out, clever on the ball, and no less miserly than the rest of the Espanyol backline<\/a>, there can be little argument that Romero is the most complete left-back in La Liga based on performances.<\/p>\n A contender for player of the season so far, Pablo Fornals has been instrumental for Real Betis<\/a>. Without Isco, and with a more inconsistent Giovani Lo Celso, Fornals is the reason that Betis have continued to pick their way through teams, and for the most part from a deeper role with added defensive responsibility. Manuel Pellegrini\u2019s leader at the moment.<\/p>\n Resurreccion is indeed the word for Koke. We are as surprised as you are, but it\u2019s hard to think of too many better, albeit this could well have been awarded to the excellent Luis Milla, or even his partner Pablo Barrios. Yet Koke\u2019s impact has been vital to sustaining Diego Simeone\u2019s side, and he is once again conducting things for Atletico. To be over-simplistic about it, Atletico\u2019s record with Koke starting is one draw and 12 wins. With Koke on the bench, two draws and three defeats\u2026<\/p>\n There is a tendency to under-appreciate players that are consistently very good without necessarily being flashy. Make no mistake, Pedri does have a highlight reel of magic this season, but it is his constant correction of this Barcelona side that transforms them into a different team. Barcelona have shown they can survive games without him, but that\u2019s all it is.<\/p>\n The conversation around Lamine Yamal has lost a little focus on his still brilliant football. La Liga\u2019s leading assist provider, he leads the division for successful take-ons, shot-creating actions per game, and is second only to Kylian Mbappe for goal-creating actions. The numbers don\u2019t show that he remains the most magical footballer in Spain currently.<\/p>\n It is remarkable just how good Kylian Mbappe has been in such a seemingly dysfunctional team. Mbappe has 29 goals and five assists in just 24 appearances. In 2025, he has literally put up Cristiano Ronaldo numbers. Lightning quick, the feeling is for La Liga defences is that the likelihood is he will get in at some point, and it\u2019s about limiting how often at happens. The decisive player in the division currently.<\/p>\n Despite not starting the season as a regular, Moleiro has six goals and two assists in his 16 appearances. That puts him 8th in the goals per 90 minutes, and he is outperforming his expected goals by 2.4 (4th in La Liga); some of those goals have been both important and impressive too. Moleiro is genuine threat now, and is looking increasingly like he could actually fill the boots of Alex Baena.<\/p>\n We admit this spot is open for contention; Raphinha has started just half of Barcelona\u2019s league games, Ez Abde has not quite converted his fantastic form into production and Vinicius Junior has a mental block in front of goal currently. Arguably the deepest spot in the division in the last two years, with Nico Williams also around, has been strangely quiet.<\/p>\n As the curtain comes down on 2025, here’s your #LaLiga<\/a> Team of the Season (so far). pic.twitter.com\/iDc38Bx3PQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Football Espa\u00f1a (@footballespana_) December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n The post La Liga Team of the Season so far: Two selections each for Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona<\/a> appeared first on Football Espa\u00f1a<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We\u2019re close to the halfway point in La Liga, but the winter break provides the perfect opportunity to take stock of the season…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4278"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4287,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278\/revisions\/4287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Honourable mentions: Thibaut Courtois, Joan Garcia<\/h3>\n
Right-back \u2013 Marcos Llorente \u2013 Atletico Madrid<\/h2>\n
![\"Llorente](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/liverpool-fc-v-atletico-de-madrid-uefa-champions-league-2025-26-league-phase-md1-min-1-scaled.jpg\")
Honourable mention: Andrei Ratiu, Santiago Mourino<\/h3>\n
Centre-back \u2013 Eder Militao \u2013 Real Madrid<\/h2>\n
![\"Militao](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/real-madrid-cf-v-rcd-espanyol-de-barcelona-laliga-ea-sports-1-scaled.jpg\")
Honourable mentions: Pedro Bigas, Nahuel Tenaglia<\/h3>\n
Centre-back \u2013 David Affengruber \u2013 Elche<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Affengruber1.jpeg\")
Honourable mentions: Jose Maria Gimenez, Leandro Cabrera<\/h3>\n
Left-back \u2013 Carlos Romero \u2013 Espanyol<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Carlos-Romero.jpeg\")
Honourable mentions: Oscar Mingueza, German Valera, Pep Chavarria<\/h3>\n
Midfielder \u2013 Pablo Fornals<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/sevilla-fc-v-real-betis-balompie-laliga-ea-sports-1-scaled.jpg\")
Honourable mentions: Edu Exposito, Luis Milla<\/h3>\n
Midfielder \u2013 Koke Resurreccion \u2013 Atletico Madrid<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/atletico-de-madrid-v-valencia-cf-laliga-ea-sports.jpg\")
Honourable mentions: Pablo Barrios, Santi Comesana<\/h3>\n
Midfielder \u2013 Pedri \u2013 Barcelona<\/h2>\n
![\"Pedri](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Pedri.jpg\")
Honourable mentions: Azzedine Ounahi, Eric Garcia<\/h3>\n
Right-forward \u2013 Lamine Yamal \u2013 Barcelona<\/h2>\n
![\"Lamine](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Lamine-Yamal.jpg\")
Honourable mentions: Tajon Buchanan, Giuliano Simeone<\/h3>\n
Forward \u2013 Kylian Mbappe \u2013 Real Madrid<\/h2>\n
![\"Mbappe](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Mbappe-.jpg\")
Honourable mentions: Borja Iglesias, Ferran Torres<\/h3>\n
Left-forward \u2013 Alberto Moleiro \u2013 Villarreal<\/h2>\n
![\"Moleiro](\"http:\/\/www.piquant-burotic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/real-sociedad-v-villarreal-cf-laliga-ea-sports.jpg\")
Honourable mentions: Raphinha, Antoine Griezmann<\/h3>\n
\n