Benzema and Vinicius shine to make La Liga September best XI
Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are the stand out performers in the La Liga team of the month, while Barcelona, despite their poor form, dominate as we run through the WhoScored best XI for September.
Luis Maximiano (Granada) - 7.51
La Liga's busiest goalkeeper kicks off the team of the month. Granada's Luis Maximiano made at least eight more saves (24) than any other goalkeeper in Spain's top tier in September. He was unable to help his side to victory, but without Maximiano, Granada would have been torn to shreds in their four games as he landed a WhoScored rating of 7.51.
Oscar Mingueza (Barcelona) - 7.22
Barcelona struggled in September to raise the pressure on head coach Ronald Koeman, but the Blaugrana still have four players in the team of the month. 22-year-old Oscar Mingueza was solid when called upon as he made eight tackles across his three outings and created an additional five goalscoring chances to help yield a WhoScored rating of 7.22.
Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) - 7.34
Ronald Araujo has been a revelation in the Barcelona defence this season as he earned the WhoScored man of the match award in his two starts in September. The Uruguayan scored a crucial equaliser against Granada and didn't let his pass success drop below 94% as he landed a WhoScored rating of 7.34.
Aritz Elustondo (Real Sociedad) - 7.33
Joining Araujo at the heart of the defence is Real Sociedad's Aritz Elustondo with a WhoScored rating of 7.33. Only a handful of players had a direct hand in more goals than the centre-back (3), while 11 clearances was a solid return for the 27-year-old.
Sergino Dest (Barcelona) - 7.64
Sergino Dest is the third Barcelona player to make the cut as the American impressed out of position on the left. Dest provided his first league assist of the season, that coming in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Levante, from one of six key passes in September. Additional returnes of 10 tackles and nine successful dribbles saw the 20-year-old land a WhoScored rating of 7.64.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) - 7.43
The second Real Sociedad player to make the cut, Mikel Oyarzabal had a direct hand in a goal in three of four league outings in September, scoring three times and providing one assist. Only a handful of players had more shots than the Spaniard (14) as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.43.
Nabil Fekir (Real Betis) - 8.00
Only one player completed more dribbles than Nabil Fekir (12) in La Liga last month. The Frenchman scored his first goal and provided his first assist of the season in September, those coming in meetings with Espanyol and Getafe, respectively. Fekir made more key passes (17) than any other player in Spain's top tier as he features in midfield with a WhoScored rating of 8.00.
Oscar Trejo (Rayo Vallecano) - 7.45
The only player to complete more dribbles than Fekir in September? Rayo Vallecano's Oscar Trejo, with 13. The experienced Argentine scored his second goal of the season last month, that coming from one of four shots, and was unfortunate not to add an assist as he created seven goalscoring chances to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.45.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - 8.18
The first Real Madrid player in the side is in-form winger Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian has been a revelation for Los Blancos this season and returned a WhoScored rating of 8.18 in September. Vinicius made 10 key passes last month while 12 successful dribbles was level with Fekir behind Trejo. With four goals and assists combined, the Real Madrid winger is good value for his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 8.18.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 8.68
With a whopping WhoScored rating of 8.68, Karim Benzema is the La Liga player of the month as he had a direct hand in 10 league goals in September, more than any other player. The Frenchman earned two perfect WhoScored 10 ratings last month, those coming in wins over Celta Vigo and Mallorca, and was one of two players to score a hat-trick. Benzema is certainly a worthy winner of the individual award.
Memphis Depay (Barcelona) - 7.89
Partnering Benzema on the frontline is Barcelona forward Memphis Depay. The Dutchman has shouldered the attacking burden at Camp Nou well as he scored his third league goal of the season in September. Had his teammates sported their shooting boots, then Depay would have ended the month with an assist to his name, too, as he made 10 key passes to feature in the side with a WhoScored rating of 7.89.
