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The 2017-18 La Liga belonged to Barcelona, as the Catalans produced some magnificent performances in the entire season. Barcelona outclassed every opponent they came up against with their attacking style of play.
The entire season was a one-sided affair as Ernesto Valverde’s men were the most consistent and dominant force in the 2017-18 La Liga season.
Though Barcelona couldn’t make it to the Champions League semi-finals, Ernesto Valverde had stated that winning the La Liga title has boosted his side’s confidence.
Their Clasico game against Real Madrid was a nail-biting contest as both the teams stamped their supremacy with some great performances. Ernesto Valverde had recently expressed his disappointment due to their loss against Levante as Barcelona had rested some of their key players for this game including Lionel Messi.
Apart from this, there were some sensational performances from some of the best strikers in the Spanish La Liga. We take a look at 5 such strikers who produced some inspiring performances by outlasting their opponents.
#1 Lionel Messi
The Argentine once again took the La Liga by storm with some sensational performances with his attacking style of play.
He and Luis Suarez formed a dangerous frontline partnership showcasing their predatory skills with some exemplary performances.
The 30-year-old outclassed his opponents with his creative dribbles and immaculate finishes scoring 34 goals with 12 assists to his name in 36 La Liga games this season.
Many thought that maybe after the departure of Neymar, the balance of their forward line might get affected, but the 30-year-old teamed up quite well with Suarez in the forward line and his coordination with the midfield was sharp as ever. He has deceived the opposition’s defense with his accelerating runs and crafty dribbles.
His recent performance in the EL Classico game was just outstanding. His spectacular free-kick in a match against Atletico Madrid in March that helped the Catalan's win the game was amazing.
Atletico Madrid put up a great fight in that game and was successful in tying Barcelona's defense, but was totally outdone by the Argentine's pace and artistry in the second half that ultimately went against them.
His performance in the 2nd leg pre-quarters of the Champions League against Chelsea was absolutely thrilling to watch. Messi totally outclassed their defense with his pacy runs.
# 2 Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez has been a revelation for the Catalans since his arrival at Camp Nou, as the 30-year-old has been a constant threat inside the box for the opposition’s defense. The Uruguayan has dominated their rivals along with Lionel Messi, as the duo has formed a deadly combo in the forward line.
He scored 25 goals in 33 games in the 2017-18 La Liga season with12 assists to his name. His electric runs combined with his counter attacks terrorized the opposition’s defense with his aggressive style of play.
Lionel Messi should consider himself lucky as he has an able partner in the form of Suarez in the forward line who he can bank upon for support during critical situations of a game.
The Classico was the testament to the ability the Uruguayan possesses that can outdo the best defenses with his speed and creative moves.
Suarez produced some quality performances in the 1st leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Chelsea. His counter-attacks outclassed Chelsea's defense, while he was quite superb with his clever passes too.
Though Luis Suarez had slowed down a bit mid-season because of fitness issues, he managed to recapture his rhythm. His intensity tends to lift the morale of his side. Luis Suarez has been the heart of Barcelona's forward line.
# 3 Cristiano Ronaldo
Though the flamboyant Portuguese had slowed down a bit mid-season he managed to regain his touch. His heroics in the Champions League that helped Los Blancos reach the final seems to have silenced his critics.
Cristiano Ronaldo notched up 26 goals in 27 matches with 5 assists to his name in the 2017-18 La Liga season. His thrilling pace and trademark dribbles have been too hot to handle.
Although the 32-year-old had expressed his disappointment as they were unable to lift the La Liga title, the enterprising striker has played a vital role in his side’s fortunes in the Champions League helping them reach the finals of the most prestigious footballing event in Europe.
Ronaldo has teamed up quite well with the likes of Karim Benzema in the forward line. He has also colluded well with the likes of Marcelo and Sergio Ramos in defense as well as with the midfield consisting of Isco, Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric.
He also colluded well with the midfield. Zinedine Zidane had stated that Ronaldo’s presence and form tend to lift his side’s morale in crucial games. The striker has set really high standards as far as his fitness is concerned.
The 5 time Ballon d' Or award winner highlighted his sensational performances in a game against Sevilla in the La Liga when the striker showed his attacking prowess with his electric pace.
His performances in some of the ongoing Champions League matches were absolutely magical including his bicycle kick against Juventus in the 1st leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
The striker produced another class performance when he managed to break a resolute Juventus defense in the 2nd leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
He was also brilliant in a game against Girona in March when he scored four goals against them which helped Los Blancos overcome them with a 6-3 scoreline. His pacy runs and classic counter attacks outclassed Girona's defense in that game.
#4 Iago Aspas
The Spaniard was absolutely brilliant with his precise finishing and his ability to outfox the rival's defense with his creative moves. Though the 30-year-old’s performances were overshadowed by some big names in the La Liga, Celta Vigo manager Juan Carlos Unzue had stated that the biggest strength of Iago Aspas is the kind of intensity he brings on the field.
He scored 22 goals in 34 games with 5 assists to his name. The 30-year-old has been quite good when it comes to his clever passes and his ability to make constant inroads in the opposition’s defense with his quickness.
The striker has looked impressive during set pieces and has always looked to play his natural game which is to attack. His performance in a game against Sevilla in April was a treat to watch in which he scored 3 goals helping his side to win the match with a 4-0 scoreline.
The former Sevilla player was a vital cog for Celta Vigo whenever they played against some of the bigger teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid. The striker outclassed the best defenses which earned him praise from Ernesto Valverde as well.
# 5 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann has been the pillar of Atletico Madrid’s forward line since the last 3 to 4 seasons. He has this unique ability to link up play between the midfielders and forwards with his clever moves. The Frenchman has the tendency to drop deep and can also be used as a striker as well as an attacking midfielder.
The 27-year-old showed his effectiveness during set pieces. Antoine Griezmann scored 19 goals in 32 games in the 2017-18 La Liga season with 9 assists to his name. The Frenchman once again showcased his ability in front of the goal with his composed finishing. His electric pace looked quite threatening during counter attacks.
He can also bamboozle the opposition’s defense by operating through the flanks with his swift moves. Recently there was news that Barcelona is vying to sign the striker, but Diego Simeone has brushed aside the rumors.
The striker is tactically very strong and has time and again proved that he is a vital cog in Atletico Madrid's wheel. Griezmann played an influential role in a game against Levante in April that they won 3-0 and also against Arsenal in the Europa League 1st leg quarter-finals which they won 1-0.
Griezmann has been a guiding force for Atletico Madrid's forward line and amazed everyone with his inspiring performances. Griezmann was instrumental in his side's success in their recent win over Marseille by scoring two goals in the Europa League final.
