Who makes our Europa League Team of the Week?
Friday, February 16, 2018
Article summary
Using stats gleaned from the FedEx Performance Zone, UEFA.com selects the team of the round of 32 first legs, with three Arsenal men and two from Dortmund making the select XI.
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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
David Ospina (Arsenal)
Kept a clean sheet at Östersund – and had to save a penalty to do so. He made five other stops and helped prevent the Swedish side getting back into a game they lost 3-0.
Overall ranking 58 (+257)
Defenders
Stefan Lainer (Salzburg)
The full-back was a key figure in defence and attack in the 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad. He produced one assist and two further chances, but also contributed defensively with a vital goal-line stop, seven tackles and four clearances.
Overall ranking 40 (+100)
Lucas Hernández (Atlético)
Deployed at left-back by Diego Simeone in Filipe Luís's absence, Lucas revelled in the position in a 4-1 win at København, claiming one assist and creating three opportunities for team-mates.
Overall ranking 25 (+32)
Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
Chambers has excelled in the UEFA Europa League and enjoyed a strong game at Östersund, making four interceptions, three clearances and three tackles, as well as completing an impressive 92 passes.
Overall ranking 62 (+124)
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
The left-back scored his third goal in six matches in all competitions to set Arsenal on their way to victory; his attacking play was excellent, with 15 of his 47 completed passes coming in the attacking third.
Overall ranking 19 (+29)
Midfielders
André Schürrle (Dortmund)
The German opened the scoring in a 3-2 defeat of Atalanta amid an excellent creative performance. He compiled three dribbles and one through ball, and almost scored a second when he hit the woodwork.
Overall ranking 27 (+135)
Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv)
The Portuguese playmaker hit his second hat-trick of this UEFA Europa League campaign to help Loko recover from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Nice. His previous treble was against Zlín on matchday two.
Overall ranking 9 (+224)
Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP)
Made a 12,000km round trip to Astana worthwhile with a goal and an assist as Sporting overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit to triumph 3-1. Fernandes also carved out four chances, conjured five crosses and earned five corners.
Overall ranking 2 (+5)
Callum McGregor (Celtic)
McGregor popped up late to clinch a 1-0 victory over Zenit with a superb finish. The goal capped a tidy display in which he misplaced only two of his 34 attempted passes.
Overall ranking 108 (+368)
Forwards
Michy Batshuayi (Dortmund)
The on-loan Chelsea ace maintained his outstanding start with another two goals as Dortmund rallied to beat Atalanta 3-2. Batshuayi has scored five in his first three matches in Germany, or seven in his last four including his last game for Chelsea.
Overall ranking 33 (+203)
Timo Werner (Leipzig)
Werner netted twice as Leipzig posted a 3-1 win at Napoli. His work-rate was phenomenal and he kept running to the end, bagging a 93rd-minute goal to secure his team a two-goal lead to defend next week.
Overall ranking 10 (+28)