Goalscorers: Eyes on target

April 16, 2011

LIONEL MESSI V CRISTIANO RONALDO World player of the year Messi, 23, and former holder Ronaldo, 26, are the leading goalscorers in La Liga this season by some distance. Argentina's Messi netted twice against Almeria last weekend to take his league tally to 29, while Portuguese Ronaldo scored one against Athletic Bilbao to move one behind him on 28. Messi's Barca teammate David Villa is third on 17. Both Messi and Ronaldo have the freedom to roam off the flanks and are often most dangerous driving down the centre, dribbling past opponents and playing one-twos. Their styles are very different. Messi plays with schoolboy enthusiasm, making darting runs and exchanging quick passes. Ronaldo is more of a athletic showman used to charging down the pitch.

Goalscorers: Eyes on target

April 16, 2011

Goalscorers: Eyes on target

April 16, 2011

XAVI (BAR) V XABI ALONSO (RM) The Spain midfielders, who operate in slightly different roles, are considered irreplaceable. Playmaker Xavi, 31, is the heart of Barca and Spain's possession-based football and covers a huge amount of ground in a match, linking up play and creating chances. Alonso, 29, is more defensive, playing alongside Sami Khedira in a holding role at Real, but his passes, especially balls from deep in his own half to launch counter-attacks, are a major feature of his side's play.

Goalscorers: Eyes on target

April 16, 2011

Goalscorers: Eyes on target

April 16, 2011

ANDRES INIESTA (BAR) V MESUT OZIL (RM) Andres Iniesta, 26, and Mesut Ozil, 22, are gifted playmakers who open up spaces by running at defenders, they set up scoring chances and have an eye for goal. They are timid characters off the pitch, but seem to engender a special kind of respect from the fans. Iniesta's World Cup-winning goal for Spain earns him applause from rival fans, while Germany's Ozil has regularly received standing ovations from Madrid fans when substituted.