LaLiga 2017/2018 Team of the Week: Morales, Messi and Maxi shine on opening weekend

The Spanish top flight's opening match day gave us plenty to talk about. Refereeing controversies and newly promoted teams causing upsets account for many of the points of discussion, but there were a lot of individuals performances and debutants to get excited about too. Here's our LaLiga Team of the Week.

Goalkeeper: Leandro Chichizola (Las Palmas)

Signed from Spezia in the summer, amidst rumours of Las Palmas securing Roberto De Zerbi as their new coach for the current season, Leandro Chichizola may have found the last month or so rather curious.

Manolo Marquez was eventually chosen as an organic replacement for Quique Setien, as opposed to an Italian import, but that hasn't delated Chichizola's importance to his new teammates. Against Valencia, as Las Palmas lost 1-0 on Friday evening, the Argentine shot-stopper put in a fantastic display, ensuring that the scoreline didn't get embarrassing.

Making a number of brave saves, as well as one brilliant reflex stop to push a powerful volley from Simone Zaza over the crossbar, the 27-year-old already looks to be a huge upgrade on Javi Varas.

Full backs: Nelson Semedo (Barcelona) and Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Marcelo put in yet another expansive performance for Real Madrid

For anybody watching Ernesto Valverde's first LaLiga game as Barcelona boss, it would not have been evident that his right back Nelson Semedo was also making his inaugural appearance on the same stage. The 23-year-old arrived this summer for the princely fee of 30 million euros, after building a reputation for himself with Benfica.

Comfortable in possession and confident enough to saunter past players, Semedo displayed a reassuring arrogance that the moment was not going to affect his mentality. Across the 90 minutes, he covered plenty of ground up and down the right flank, unafraid to both deliver from wide and dribble infield with the ball. Barca appear to have a solid answer to their right-back problem, and won't Sergi Roberto be grateful to see that.

Meanwhile, at Riazor, Marcelo churned out yet another excellent performance without too much fanfare. Defensively, he wasn't asked too many questions by Juanfran and Fede Cartabia, but it was offensively where he made his mark.

Spending much of the game as more of a winger than a full back, the Brazilian set up Casemiro's goal beautifully, with a perfect low cross to the back post. It is nothing more than we have come to expect from the Real Madrid left back over the last few years, and his contribution in the final third ensured that Zinedine Zidane's men started their campaign with a comfortable victory.

Central defenders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) and Nacho (Real Madrid)

Mascherano was on an even, stable keel against Real Betis this Sunday

Due to an injury to Gerard Pique in the Spanish Super Cup, Javier Mascherano was once again flung into the heart of Barcelona's defence in an attempt to patch up the void. In the second leg against Real Madrid, despite the result, the Argentine was uncompromising in his approach, and maintained that same attitude against Real Betis on Sunday.

A last-ditch sliding tackle from the experienced utility man ensured that Sergio Leon didn't have the chance to tuck away a one-on-one opportunity when the scoreline stood at 1-0, and he conducted himself in a no-nonsense manner, stepping out when necessary to impart his tough form of justice on the game.

Zinedine Zidane's rotation policy did not deem it necessary to risk Raphael Varane for the weekend, with Nacho stepping into the back four alongside Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard used his pace well to cover in behind both his captain and Dani Carvajal, earmarking himself as another vital piece of the puzzle for Los Blancos.

He may not be a regular starter, but Sunday evening was just another example of what an important rotation option Nacho can be. He did not put a foot wrong throughout the 90 minutes, and appears to be a much more intelligent operator than the hot-headed presence he found himself playing alongside in their 3-0 win against Deportivo.

Central midfielders: Carlos Soler (Valencia), Gabriel (Leganes), Enis Bardhi (Levante)

Gabriel broke the deadlock for Leganes

Marcelino's return to LaLiga brought with it a change in system for Valencia, who lined up in a 4-4-2 shape for their opening fixture against Las Palmas. Carlos Soler featured on the left-hand side, in a role which allowed him the freedom to drift inside and influence play - something we can expect to see much more from him this campaign. The youngster was excellent in possession and shared a composure rivalled only by Dani Parejo, providing a threat when allowed to find his own pockets of space.

Leganes' home fixture against Alaves was a little low on entertainment on Friday evening, but hosts' star Gabriel helped to break the deadlock and get an all-important three points for his side. There was nothing special about his goal, a tap-in after a parried save from Fernando Pacheco, but the energy and ideas that he brought to Asier Garitano's system stood out. Keen to beat a man, or to try a cute flick in close-quarters situations, the Brazilian will be key for Los Pepineros survival bid this campaign.

Enis Bardhi arrives in Spain as something of an unknown quantity, after a brilliant European Under-21 European Championship performance with Macedonia earned him a move to Levante this summer. Signed for just 1.5 million euros from Hungarian side Ujpest, the 22-year-old midfielder could be one of the bargains of the summer.

Bardhi covered a lot of ground and worked hard for the team, as the newly promoted side picked up a 1-0 win over Villarreal, but showed the vision, technical ability and drive in possession to get the home fans very excited for what lies ahead.

Forwards: Morales (Levante), Maxi Gomez (Celta Vigo) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Messi anchored FC Barcelona in the absence of Neymar for a victory over Real Betis

Many may have written off the newly promoted LaLiga sides before they had a chance to prove their worth, but Levante's 1-0 win over Villarreal on Monday showed that they are certainly not in the top flight to make up the numbers. Morales and Tono were brilliant in combination down the left-hand side, with the former managing to both win and score a late penalty to secure his side three important points.

Maxi Gomez arrived in Galicia with a stellar goalscoring record at Defensor Sporting, but scoring two goals on his debut for Celta Vigo will be nothing short of a dream come true. Le Celeste narrowly lost 3-2 to Real Sociedad, but the young Uruguayan striker found the back of the net twice. The way that he adjusted his body, demonstrating the spatial awareness required to tuck home two neat finishes, highlights that he has the style of a natural goalscorer - which means there should be plenty more to come.

Barcelona find themselves in a difficult period, one which offers instability both on and off the pitch at Camp Nou.

In their time of trouble, with Luis Suarez injured and no Neymar to count upon, Lionel Messi shouldered the responsibility of inspiring the hosts to a comfortable win against Real Betis. The Argentine made himself a nuisance in and around the box, and was vital in the build-up to the opening goal. The Argentine struck the woodwork on three occasions, cruelly denying him the goal required to cap a great showing.