On a weekend in which PSG and Manchester City wrapped up their respective league titles, there were some excellent individual displays throughout Europe’s top five leagues.
From a superb defensive derby display in Germany to a hat-trick of assists after coming on as a substitute, we’ve picked out the top performers from the latest round of fixtures across Europe.
Take a look at our European Team of the Week…
GK: Stephane Ruffier – St Etienne
Despite his team coming under heavy pressure, the 31-year-old kept St Etienne in the game, before right-back Mathieu Debuchy popped up with the winner. Hosts Strasbourg peppered Ruffier’s goal, with 16 shots in total, but all six of the efforts that were on target were kept out by the experienced French stopper to help his side to a vital three points.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
With every passing game the 19-year-old improves on his previous display. Alexander-Arnold could well be working his way into England contention. At Anfield on Saturday against Bournemouth, the right-back made two tackles, three interceptions and one clearance, while also providing an inch-perfect cross for Mohamed Salah to net his 40th goal of the season in all competitions.
CB: Naldo – Schalke
Naldo scored a stunning free-kick for Schalke against Dortmund
Not only did the central defender net a stunning free-kick from long range to seal the win for Schalke over rivals Borussia Dortmund, he produced an excellent defensive display. The 35-year-old Brazilian made a total of 12 clearances as Dortmund piled the pressure on, while he also won three tackles and made one interception. Naldo’s 82nd-minute goal is definitely worth a watch.
CB: Luca Ceppitelli – Cagliari
The 28-year-old was Cagliari’s hero against Udinese, netting a superb headed winner six minutes from time to seal a 2-1 win. The Italian was excellent defensively before his goal, winning eight aerial duels and making nine clearances to keep Udinese at bay. Ceppitelli also won two tackles and made two interceptions, with only midfielder Luca Cigarini having more touches than the defender for Cagliari.
LB: David Alaba – Bayern Munich
Alaba hadn’t played since the 6-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund, but he returned with an excellent performance in Bayern’s 5-1 win against Borussia Monchengladbach. The Austrian was in superb form going forward, completing 96.6 per cent of his passes and netting his side’s fourth goal with a superbly taken right-footed strike from 20 yards. Alaba also made three key passes as Bayern dominated.
RM: Douglas Costa – Juventus
Introduced with 43 minutes gone, Costa was the man to spark a comfortable win for Juventus at home to Sampdoria. The Brazilian set up all three of his side’s goals, as he completed four key passes and three dribbles. Costa asissted Mario Mandzukic for the opener within two minutes of coming on, before a lovely chip across goal picked out Benedikt Howedes to make it 2-0. He saved his best assist for last, producing a magical bit of skill before teeing up Sami Khedira to slot home.
CM: Thiago – Bayern Munich
Another excellent all-round display from the Spaniard. Defensively, Thiago made a total of five tackles and three interceptions as Bayern pressured Borussia Monchengladbach high up the pitch. On the ball, Thiago was influential, completing 103 passes in total with an accuracy of 95.2 per cent. He completed nine of his ten long balls, and capped his fine performance with a goal, smashing home from close range.
CM: Isco – Real Madrid
The midfielder was at his best on his return to former club Malaga. Isco curled home a sensational free-kick to open the scoring for Madrid with 30 minutes gone, before turning provider just after the hour mark to unselfishly tee up Casemiro to double the lead. On the ball, Isco made three key passes and completed 87.5 per cent of his 64 passes before making way just after the 70-minute mark.
LM: Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace
Wilfried Zaha celebrates against Brighton
Zaha was excellent against Crystal Palace’s arch-rivals Brighton. The winger opened the scoring in just the fifth minute, popping up in the right place at the right time to tap home, before netting a fine header to make it 3-1 in just the 24th minute. The Ivorian completed five dribbles and made two key passes as he tormented the Seagulls and helped Palace to a vital three points in the battle against relegation.
ST: Kevin Volland – Leverkusen
The Leverkusen striker netted a 17-minute hat-trick to help his side to a 4-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. With just over 70 minutes gone, the striker showed great composure to keep his balance and roll the ball home to put Leverkusen back ahead, before timing his runs superbly to net from close range for both his second and third goals.
ST: Edinson Cavani – PSG
The striker was in imperious form as he helped PSG seal the Ligue 1 title with a 7-1 victory against Monaco. The Uruguayan played a key role in the opener, setting the ball off to Dani Alves, who in turn teed up Giovani Lo Celso. Cavani then got himself a goal, heading home superbly to make it 2-0 with just 17 minutes gone, before providing an excellent assist for Angel Di Maria three minutes later.
