Madrid men Marco Asensio and Saul star in our UEFA Nations League Team of the Week

Tom Biggs 16:47 12/09/2018
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  • The UEFA Nations League is officially up and running following the first set of matches during the September international break.

    With a competitive edge much more apparent than in international friendlies, there were a host of standout performances across the week, from Marco Asensio and Saul of Spain, to Danel Sinani, who was excellent for Luxembourg in their two wins.

    Here we take a look at our UEFA Nations League Team of the Week…

    GK: Alphonse Areola (France)

    Alphonse Areola impressed in France's 0-0 draw with Germany

    Alphonse Areola impressed in France’s 0-0 draw with Germany

    In the absence of Hugo Lloris, Areola was given the opportunity to impress. The PSG stopper certainly did that in the world champions’ 0-0 draw with Germany, making six saves to ensure France of a clean sheet.

    CB: Fabian Schar (Switzerland)

    A fine all-round performance from Switzerland as they hammered Iceland 6-0, but Newcastle defender Schar was one of those who stood out. Playing his part in a clean sheet, he also assisted both Denis Zakaria and Haris Seferovic.

    CB: Stefan Savic (Montenegro)

    Savic made 11 clearances, four interceptions and two tackles to help Montenegro record clean sheets against Romania and Lithuania. The Atletico man also netted from the penalty spot in the 2-0 win against the latter.

    CB: Nikolay Bodurov (Bulgaria)

    Two fine defensive performances from Bodurov, who made an incredible 20 clearances in Bulgaria’s 2-1 win against Slovenia. He backed it up with 12 clearances and six interceptions in a 1-0 success against Norway.

    RM: Marco Asensio (Spain)

    A simply stunning performance from the Real Madrid man in Spain’s 6-0 thrashing of Croatia. Asensio was involved in five of his side’s six goals, including a fantastic strike from distance to make it 2-0, and three assists.

    CM: Saul (Spain)

    Saul scored for Spain in their wins against England and Croatia

    Saul scored for Spain in their wins against England and Croatia

    The Atletico man looks to have an important role to play in Luis Enrique’s new-look Spain side. Saul’s runs into the box from deep helped him find the net in the victories against England and Croatia.

    CM: Christian Eriksen (Denmark)

    The playmaker was the main threat for Denmark in their win against Wales. Eriksen, who made five key passes, took his opening goal excellently, before adding a second from the penalty spot.

    CM: Danel Sinani (Luxembourg)

    The 21-year-old was the standout player across the D leagues. Sinani scored once and grabbed two assists in Luxembourg’s 4-0 win against Moldova, before netting a superb goal in a 3-0 success away to San Marino.

    LM: Eden Hazard (Belgium)

    Hazard is in imperious form of late and was superb in Belgium’s 3-0 win against Iceland. The Chelsea flyer was a constant threat, with four key passes and four dribbles, as well as scoring the opener from the spot.

    ST: Rodrigo (Spain)

    Another player who looks to have the backing of new Spain boss Enrique. Offering a more dynamic option in comparison to Diego Costa in attack, Rodrigo took his goals against England and Croatia with real confidence.

    ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia)

    Aleksandar Mitrovic's fine form for Serbia continued during the international break

    Aleksandar Mitrovic’s fine form for Serbia continued during the international break

    Mitrovic really is a man in form. Denied twice by the woodwork in Serbia’s 1-0 win against Lithuania, his luck returned as he scored both in the 2-2 draw with Romania, netting a superb volley for his second of the game.

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