Who makes our Europa League Team of the Week?
Friday, October 20, 2017
Article summary
Using the stats gleaned from the FedEx Performance Zone, UEFA.com selects the team of matchday three, with four-goal striker Willian José grabbing one of the forward slots.
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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
Giannis Anestis (AEK Athens)
An inspired goalkeeping performance by Anestis helped keep Milan at bay as AEK managed a goalless draw at San Siro. Anestis made eight saves, produced three high claims, and made four clearances.
Overall ranking: 69 (+308)
Defenders
Alberto de la Bella (Real Sociedad)
As well as contributing to his team keeping a clean sheet, the full-back chipped in with a goal in their 6-0 win at Vardar. He was a key outlet down the left as he produced six crosses.
Overall ranking: 22 (+154)
Cosmin Moți (Ludogorets)
The 32-year-old was the highest central defender thanks to his goal and clean sheet in his team's 2-0 win at Braga. He produced ten clearances among his 16 defences interventions to lead the way at the back.
Overall ranking: 116 (+345)
Bajram Jashanica (Skënderbeu)
The Kosovan made significant strides up the ranking as the Albanian side kept a clean sheet against Partizan. Seven interceptions, five aerial duels won and four clearances were just some of his impressive defensive statistics.
Overall ranking: 191 (+341)
Dmitri Shomko (Astana)
Shomko is the fourth-ranked #UEL full-back after setting up two goals in a club-record 4-0 win against Maccabi Tel-Aviv. He produced six crosses and created three chances as well as making five defensive interventions.
Overall ranking: 25 (+134)
Midfielders
Emiliano Rigoni (Zenit)
Rigoni's hat-trick against Rosenborg took his #UEL tally to five goals for the campaign and he is top scorer in the 2017/18 group stage – despite only having played 189 minutes.
Overall ranking: 20 (+349)
Sergej Milinković-Savić (Lazio)
Milinković-Savić helped his team come back from an early Mario Balotelli at Nice, creating the equaliser and scoring two more in a 3-1 win. Playing in a trio in central midfield, he was the one given license to get forward.
Overall ranking: 8 (+111)
Xabi Prieto (Real Sociedad)
The Real Sociedad stalwart is up into the top ten after creating six chances for team-mates (including one assist), while 56 of his 90 completed passes against Vardar came in the attacking third.
Overall ranking: 6 (+22)
Josip Iličić (Atalanta)
Atalanta top Group E, Iličić scored once and set up the other two in a 3-1 win against Apollon. He created ten chances over the course of the game as his side took all three points at home.
Overall ranking: 14 (+223)
Forwards
Willian José (Real Sociedad)
Against Vardar, Willian José joined Radamel Falcao (four, Porto v Villarreal, 2011), Edinson Cavani (four, Napoli v Dnipro, 2012) and Aritz Aduriz (five, Athletic v Genk, 2016) as the only players to have scored four or more in a #UEL game.
Overall ranking: 9 (+306)
Junior Kabananga (Astana)
The Congolese scored with his only two shots in Astana’s 4-0 win against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and contributed a good deal more, created three chances as the Israeli side endured a torrid night.
Overall ranking: 55 (+295)