LFP.es editors select Liga BBVA Team of the Month

Thirty days crammed with football and excitement, in the top flight of Spanish football. Eleven players who have stood out above the rest have been selected by the LFP.es editors to form the 'November Team of the Month'.

In goal
Sergio Álvarez is the chosen one for this position. The young RC Celta goalkeeper has been one of the sensations of the division from the start of the season and has made some spectacular saves that have helped his team to push for a European spot. Sergio conceded just two goals in four games and is one of the lowest conceding keepers to date (9), making him a rising star with a promising future.

The defence
The back line of the 'November Team of the Month' is made up four players: Iraola, Godín, Etxeita and Marcelo. The Athletic Club right and centre backs have been key men in the resurgence of the Rojiblancos in November, when they earned three wins and a draw. Godín, through his perseverance and aerial prowess, is one of the most complete centre backs in the Liga BBVA, not just for his defensive qualities but also for helping his team with goals.

Marcelo is the final component of a defensive line that also has an attacking facet with this Brazilian player. Real Madrid CF’s ‘12’ is a key man in the build-up play of Carlo Ancelotti’s side and virtually becomes a midfielder in attack.

The midfield
Any midfield needs balance. The famous word that all managers seek for their team. In this dream team, Ander Iturraspe delivers this to perfection. His return to the top flight in the Basque side has seen him become lord and master of the midfield. Balance must always be combined with a dose of hard work and flashes of quality.

Arda Turan and James Rodríguez are the chosen ones to accompany Iturraspe in this midfield. Atlético Madrid’s Turkish player is the beacon around which the Madrid side revolves. A genius on the field of play, he boasts fantastic vision and has hit his best form. The Turk is joined by Real Madrid’s Columbian midfielder. His role has changed for the Whites: while it was presumed he would feature as a playmaker, he has had to work hard to adapt to the central midfield. Not only does he score spectacular goals like the one against Granada, he is also capable when it comes to helping his team in defence. His work rate in November was massive.

Up front
An impressive trident. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Carlos Vela. The Portuguese player has had an exceptional month. Four goals in four games, leading the ranking of top scorers in the Liga BBVA with 20 goals. Stats that if they continue as they are could beat all kinds of records. At his side is Lionel Messi. In November the Argentine forward overtook Telmo Zarra as the all-time top scorer in the championship 60 years later (going past 251), in a game against Sevilla FC that will go down in history following a hat-trick that confirms him as a Liga legend.

The attacking trio is rounded off with Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad). The Mexican player has shown what he is made of and become a leader for the Txuri-Urdines in a season in which the Basque side had a dubious start but got back on course in November. His treble against Elche CF and his winning goal versus Atlético Madrid had a big impact on the improving position of David Moyes’ side in the Liga BBVA table.

Super Subs
There are plenty of other players who excelled over these 30 days of competition who we could have added to the dream team. Juanfran Torres and Tiago Cardoso Mendes, of Atlético, had an incredible month. Karim Benzema, of Real Madrid, played to a great standard, as did Mario Gaspar, the Villarreal CF right back, who with two goals was the top-scoring defender.