Who makes our Europa League Team of the Week?
Friday, September 29, 2017
Article summary
İstanbul Başakşehir captain Emre Belözoğlu, Lokomotiv's hat-trick hero Manuel Fernandes and FedEx Performance Zone leading light Aleksandr Kokorin feature in our latest all-star team.
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- Tell us what you think @EuropaLeague using #UEL
- FedEx Performance Zone: full rankings
- The FedEx Performance Zone explained
Note: While the FedEx Performance Zone is a form tracker taking into account domestic and European games, the Team of the Week is based purely on the UEFA Europa League matchday in question.
GOALKEEPER
Andriy Lunin (Zorya Luhansk)
The Ukrainian club maintained a clean sheet in large part thanks to Lunin's top class goalkeeping performance. He made five saves, five punches, six clearances and two high claims to thwart Athletic Club throughout and keep the clean sheet.
Overall ranking 92nd (+441)
DEFENDERS
Domenico Criscito (Zenit)
The Italian full-back put in a tremendous defensive display racking up some impressive statistics. He made seven interceptions, seven clearances, won six tackles and blocked six crosses to help his team hold off Real Sociedad to win 3-1.
Overall ranking 4th (+2)
Tom Pettersson (Östersund)
It was backs against the wall at times for the Swedish outfit but they produced a superb rearguard action to keep the clean sheet as they beat Hertha Berlin 1-0. Pettersson was a key man for his team making 12 clearances, one vital goal-line clearance, won four aerial duels, and made another eight defensive interventions as Hertha could not break them down.
Overall ranking 31st (+102)
Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Slavia Praha)
The Cameroonian international popped up with a goal for his side in Astana to cap an impressive defensive performance in the 1-1 draw. He won seven aerial duels and made five interceptions as he broke the home team's play up frequently.
Overall ranking 83rd (+258)
Artem Sukhotskiy (Zorya Luhansk)
Zorya travelled to Bilbao and came away with a magnificent 1-0 win thanks to some stout defending and Sukhotskiy was a key part of that back line. He made six interceptions, five clearances, won four tackles and four aerial duels, and capped his performance by providing the assist for the only goal of the game.
Overall ranking 65th (+354)
MIDFIELDERS
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
The Arsenal forward was the highest scoring player on matchday two thanks to his two-goal performance. He had six attempts at goal, hit the woodwork, created three chances and provided ten crosses as he was a constant threat to the BATE Borisov defence in the 4-2 away win.
Overall ranking 58th (+664)
Emre Belözoğlu (İstanbul Başakşehir)
İstanbul's experienced captain produced a goalscoring man of the match display but could not help his team avoid defeat in Braga. He connected with his team-mates on an impressive 82 of his 89 passes and was a key part of their play as he never stopped trying to make things happen for his team.
Overall ranking 16th (+39)
Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moskva)
Lokomotiv found themselves 3-0 up after only 17 minutes against Zlín and it was Manuel Fernandes who hit the headlines scoring a hat-trick in that time. He moved up a staggering 94 places in the ranking thanks to his treble – the joint-fifth fastest in UEFA Europa League history.
Overall ranking 9th (+94)
Jan Kopic (Viktoria Plzeň)
Kopic was the decisive player for his side in the 3-1 win against Hapoel Beer-Sheva as he created the first goal with a lovely through ball, and scored the second to put his team ahead once again. He was their key creator with seven crosses and 19 of his 34 completed passes came in the final third.
Overall ranking 74th (+391)
FORWARDS
Alassane Plea (Nice)
Another comprehensive win for Nice in the UEFA Europa League and another double for Plea as against Vitesse he replicated his tally that he managed against Zulte Waregem on matchday one. His two goals ensured he moved up 14 places to second overall.
Overall ranking 2nd (+14)
Aleksandr Kokorin (Zenit)
The Zenit striker extended his lead at the top of the ranking thanks to his two goals on the night. He has now scored an impressive six goals in his last three UEFA Europa League matches along with his seven Russian league goals in 11 games.
Overall ranking 1st (no change)