Player Focus: La Liga's Vital Defensive Midfielders

It’s not the prettiest job on the football field but someone has to do it, and without them these players’ respective teams would be a considerably less formidable opponent. They are the defensive midfielders, putting substance over style at every opportunity and forming part of the spine of their teams.

Javi Fuego – Rayo Vallecano

Last season Javi Fuego offered himself as an all-action, decisive and committed individual in Rayo Vallecano’s first season back in Primera. This season has been no different, and the livewire defensive midfielder has come to the fore once again when it comes to protecting his team. Fuego is currently averaging 3.7 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per game.

The interesting thing about Fuego is that he has another side to his game, and as well as regaining possession, which is clearly his finest attribute, he can pass the ball too. He’s the second highest passer for his team, with 52.1 per game, while maintaining 82.2% accuracy.

José Cañas – Real Betis

The Real Betis man has once again been outstanding for Betis as they’ve assaulted the European places in Primera. One of the most admirable traits of Canas is his composure on the ball, as he never appears flustered or in a hurry. He moves elegantly on the ball and can seek out his more creative midfield partner in Beñat.

He’s one of the top interceptors in the league, with 3.1 per game, and in doing so, he’s made less tackles this season too, owing to his better positioning and reading of the game – someone like Fuego relies more upon speed, and coverage. Cañas, meanwhile, can also pass and after Beñat is the most frequent passer on the team with 42.5 on average per game, while keeping an even better accuracy than his partner at 80.3%, which is the best on the team.

Víctor Sánchez – Espanyol

Espanyol’s rise since Javi Aguirre arrived at the club has been well documented, and the attacking facets of the team singled out. Ignored perhaps, has been the defensive work. The first point of that has been Víctor Sánchez who toils away in the deep midfield area. He’s made, on average, 4.6 tackles per game, the highest in the whole league, while also making 3 interceptions per game and winning 65/114 aerial duels.

Aguirre’s a man for aggression in his teams though, and Sánchez has taken a few for the team, averaging 2.4 fouls per game. This has led to 17 yellow cards, which is the most in the league, but he’s fortunately avoided a single red card. Still, he’s down as the 3rd dirtiest player in Primera, which is no surprise given his team have the worst disciplinary record. As long as Espanyol are not lying down for opponents so easily though, then long may it continue.

Gabi – Atlético Madrid

Diego Simeone can’t be on the field anymore these days but he’s confident knowing he has someone like Gabi out there to get in peoples faces. The Spaniard embodies the spirit and drive of Simeone, and never lets up for a minute. His 7.25 rating is the highest out of all the players we’ve featured, and without him Atleti wouldn’t have that essential edge in midfield. Gabi’s made 4.1 tackles per game, while also managing 2.3 interceptions per game. He commits fouls frequently too though, with 2.6 per game, which helps Atleti break down a lot of their opponents play.

Since arriving from Real Zaragoza for what now looks like a steal at €3m, Gabi’s positional play has improved along with his intelligence on the ball. At Zaragoza he was handed license to roam up field, but with Simeone requiring solidity in midfield he’s shackled more these days. It’s been to his benefit though, with his more combative qualities coming to the fore. Still he finds time to be more than just a defensive shield and, in fact, Gabi is the highest passer on the team, with 48.1 per game, with a decent 78.1% accuracy.

Ignacio Camacho – Málaga

With injuries hindering Jeremy Toulalan for much of the season, the pressure was put on Málaga’s small squad. Fortunately they’ve had a more than adequate replacement in Nacho Camacho, another energetic, disciplined and tough character. Only Toulalan has made more tackles per game for Malaga than Camacho, who averages 3.3, while he surpasses the Frenchman in terms of interceptions this season with 3.2 per game.

Camacho is making more fouls though, at 2.2, though he continues to improve his reading of the game and positional sense. Camacho’s a tireless runner with superb stamina who will cover your full-backs in the channels and also close off gaps in the centre of midfield. He can play the ball well too, and he averages 42.5 passes per game, with a respectable 80% accuracy.