Europe’s Best XI of the Week (8/28/22–9/2/22)
*This is only accounting for the Top 5 European Leagues: La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Premier League and Serie A. All player ratings are based off of sofascore.com*
GK: Yann Sommer (10)
Yann Sommer made an outstanding 19 saves in Borussia M’gladbach’s bout versus the dominant Bavarians. More than half of these blocks came from inside the box. This was an absolute goalkeeping masterclass.
CB: Jules Kounde (8)
Jules Kounde has managed to have the best defensive performance of La Liga’s matchweek in just his first showing for Barcelona. Kounde was vital in keeping Barça’s clean sheet going in their 4–0 thrashing of Real Valladolid.
CB: Marc Oliver-Kempfs (8.3)
Even though Hertha BSC suffered a 1-goal defeat to Borussia Dortmund, it could have been a lot worse without Marc Oliver-Kempfs’ contributions. Oliver-Kempfs was aggressively persistent winning 5/7 ground duels and 3/7 aerial duels, in addition to his almost flawless passing out from the back at a completion rate of 94%.
CB: Bremer (8)
Bremer was both a force on Juventus’ backline, as well as their playmaking facilitation, in their victory over Spezia. Bremer managed to complete every single short pass he attempted, while only inaccurate in 3 out of his 12 long-balls. This coincided with his physical control over his matchups culminating in a great performance for the new signing.
CDM: Teun Koopmeiners (9.7)
Teun Koopmeiners was relentless with the ball at his feet this past week. A hat-trick that was composed of 6 shots, 4 of which were on-target, as well as 2 key passes made up his elite performance. Although 2 of his goals were penalty conversions, he was clinical nonetheless.
CM: Joshua Kimmich (8.3)
Joshua Kimmich is so consistent, that you could possibly throw him in any top XI each week. Intercepting the ball three times and tackling the opposition four times, Kimmich also managed 18 long-balls and 14 crosses at a high level of accuracy. The midfielder also hit the woodwork once.
CM: Nico Barella (8.7)
Inter Milan’s game ran through Nico Barella this past week versus Cremonese. Accounting for a goal and an assist, in addition to 5 key passes, Barella was critical as usual.
CM: Paulo Dybala (8.7)
Paulo Dybala only played 65 minutes, but was the most active aspect of Roma’s squad against Monza. Not only did Dybala execute a brace, he also completed 2 dribble attempts and dispersed 8 long-balls. Dybala was also tough to dispossess, as he won 4 out of his 8 ground-duels.
CM: Lionel Messi (9.2)
Lionel Messi’s goal scoring has taken a dip since early in the Ligue 1 season, but his playmaking does not seem to be slowing down. Messi raked up a brace of assists en route to another dominant PSG display. Even though Messi had trouble finishing, he still managed 5 shots on target. This was in addition to the 5 key passes and 3 completed long-balls that contributed to his dual assists.
ST: Erling Haaland (9.3)
Erling Haaland is officially on the quest for the Premier League’s Golden Boot award. Haaland accounted for half of Manchester City’s 6-goal thrashing of Nottingham Forest. 3 goals, 3 shots on target: clinical finishing.
ST: Julian Alvarez (9)
Julian Alvarez was similarly as significant in Man City’s triumph over Forest with his brace, but also dishing out 2 key passes. Alvarez was close to matching Haaland’s total, as he hit the woodwork on 1 of his 5 attempts on goal, but I think he did well enough.
