La Liga team of the month: Barcelona trio feature in best XI

Goalkeeper: Oier Olazabal (Levante) – 8.27 rating

October was some month for Levante goalkeeper Oier Olazabal, who finished it as the second highest WhoScored rated player (min 3 appearances) in La Liga. Olazabal won the WhoScored Man of the Match in two of his three games and made at least four more saves than any other goalkeeper in the division (21).

Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona) – 7.46 rating

Jordi Alba is the first of three Barcelona players in our best rated XI from October’s action. The 29-year-old’s standout performance came in last weekend’s 5-1 win over Real Madrid. Alba provided one assist and completed eight tackles and interceptions combined.

Centre-back: Bernardo (Girona) – 7.59 rating

Despite a difficult month for Girona, Bernardo performed well from an individual standpoint. Only Guido Carrillo (24) won more aerial duels than Bernardo (22) in La Liga in October, while the 29-year-old made at least 10 more headed clearances than any other player in the division. 

Centre-back: Victor Laguardia (Alaves) – 7.64 rating

Alaves won all three matches in October, which is even more impressive when you consider they played Real Madrid, Celta Vigo and Villarreal. They kept two clean sheets in that time and would not have managed it without Victor Laguardia. The 28-year-old won seven aerial duels, made 10 tackles and completed 18 clearances. Not only that, but the Spaniard also set up the winner against Celta.

Right-back: Javi Lopez (Espanyol) – 7.45 rating

Javi Lopez is far from an attacking right-back but the 32-year-old carries out his defensive duties with aplomb and helped Espanyol enjoy an unbeaten month of league football in October. The Spaniard won nine aerial duels, completed 12 tackles and made 13 clearances, while only two players in the league were fouled more times than the Espanyol defender (10).

Left wing: Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) – 7.42 rating

Philippe Coutinho scored in back-to-back league matches and helped fill the void left by an injured Lionel Messi against Real Madrid to consolidate a place in the best rated XI. The Brazil international scored twice from eight shots in October and also created six goalscoring chances across his three appearances.

Centre-midfield: Jose Campana (Levante) – 7.62 rating

While Olazabal rightly received all the plaudits for Levante’s impressive recent form, Jose Campana also played an important role in central midfield. Only Djene Dakonam (13) made more interceptions than the 25-year-old, while the Spaniard also finished the month with an assist in a 2-0 win over Leganes.

Centre-midfield: Joan Jordan (Eibar) – 7.63 rating

Eibar picked up an important away win against Girona and a valuable point at home to Athletic Club before falling to defeat against Celta Vigo in their final game in October. Joan Jordan was important in the final third, creating nine key passes during that span. Furthermore, only Markel Susaeta (11) made more accurate crosses than Jordan (9).

Right wing: Brais Mendez (Celta Vigo) – 7.86 rating

Brais Mendez is the youngest member of the best rated XI for October. The 21-year-old winger was hugely influential at both ends of the pitch for Celta Vigo last month and was rewarded for his fine displays with a goal and an assist last time out. Mendez had 10 shots, registered 10 key passes, drew seven fouls, completed three dribbles and also won nine tackles.

Striker: Luis Suarez (Barcelona) – 8.38 rating

Luis Suarez finished October as the WhoScored player of the month after netting a stunning hat-trick against Real Madrid last weekend. The 31-year-old played a direct hand in at least two more goals than any other player in La Liga during the month of October (6) and stepped up when it mattered most with talisman Lionel Messi sidelined with a fractured arm.

Striker: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo) – 7.47 rating

Suarez, incredibly, wasn’t the only former Liverpool striker to celebrate the birth of a new child by netting a hat-trick in October, with Iago Aspas also managing the feat less than 24 hours earlier. Aspas earned a perfect WhoScored 10 rating against Eibar courtesy of his treble to complete WhoScored’s team of the month in Spain.