European Team of the Week

Football seasons around Europe are now up and running, which means it's time for the first full strength European Team of the Week.

Both the Bundesliga and Serie A started this week while there was also a whole lot of action in the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1.

As ever, there were some real upsets and more than enough impressive performances to form a very strong European Team of the Week.

So, without further ado, let's get down to business. 

GK Sergio Romero

A clean sheet away against AC Milan is nothing to be laughed at. Newly-promoted Sampdoria will be incredibly pleased with their upset win against Milan, and a lot of the credit for the victory should go to their Argentine goalkeeper.

Romero made a string of important saves to preserve his side's lead in the second half, including deflecting a header onto the post and blocking a late Kevin Prince Boateng effort.

LB Jordi Alba

Barcelona's new left-back seems to fit right in at the Catalan club. His natural attacking game gives Barcelona yet another option going forward, which proved to be vital last weekend.

It was Jordi Alba's cross to Lionel Messi that led to Barcelona coming away from their match against Osasuna with all three points.

Alba was partially responsible for Osasuna's goal, failing to keep track of Joseba Llorente at the back post. That mistake aside, however, the 23-year-old was impressive.

CB Mats Hummels

A lot of Borussia Dortmund's success has come about due to a solid defence, and Mats Hummels has been a large part of that.

That defensive solidarity was easily apparent against Werder Bremen. He was dominant in the air and looked very comfortable bringing the ball out of defence, one of his real strengths.

It's hard to believe that the German is still just 23 years old.

CB Daniele Gastaldello

Sampdoria's Daniele Gastaldello marked his return to Serie A with an accomplished display against AC Milan. 

Gataldello made Robinho look decidedly average with his committed marking, excellent tackling and good positioning. 

A solid defence will go a long way towards securing Sampdoria's safety this season. If this performance is anything to go by, 29-year-old Gastaldello will have a big role to play in the solidity. 

RB Juan Valera

Getafe's Juan Valera would have been forgiven for being nervous heading into his side's match against Real Madrid. After all, he was about to be tasked with keeping Cristiano Ronaldo away from his side's goal.

Valera, however, handled his defensive duties excellently. He kept Ronaldo quiet and still managed to get forward when required.

The Spaniard proceeded to grab himself a headed goal in the second half as Getafe pulled of a massive upset over their more illustrious and wealthy neighbours.

LM Romain Alessandrini

Romain Alessandrini grabbed himself the opening goal for Rennes last weekend before getting an assist, as Rennes ran out 3-2 winners over newly promoted SC Bastia.

Alesandrini spent last season in Ligue 2, but looks to be comfortable at the higher level; the 23-year-old's movement up and down the left flank was promising to say the least. 

There will be bigger teams for Rennes and Alessandrini to face in the coming weeks, but this performance will have given the Frenchman plenty of confidence.

CM Moussa Dembélé

Fulham's Moussa Dembélé might have ended up on the losing side of his side's clash against Manchester United, but that didn't stop him putting on an impressive display.

The Belgian was involved in just about everything Fulham did going forward, making important pass after important pass.

When United had the ball, he was quick to break up play in midfield, severely limiting the opposition's chances. 

Add in his composure on the ball, and it is easy to see why he has been linked to so many of Europe's top clubs this summer.

RM Arjen Robben

Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben got his season off to a flying start with an assist and a goal of his own as Munich claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over SpVgg Greuther Furth. 

Bayern's talisman kept himself busy all afternoon as he created chance after after chance whilst also getting himself into shooting positions.

Munich suffered a disappointing season last time around, as did Robben, so the Dutchman has plenty to prove this season as he looks to send his club back to the top of German football once again. 

CAM Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard featured in two games for Chelsea this week and was highly influential in both. In midweek, against Reading, he won his side a penalty and created two of the goals.

Against Newcastle, Hazard scored a penalty himself and grabbed another assist, this time a backheel pass to the rejuvenated Fernando Torres.

It is still to early to properly judge Eden Hazard, but all the early signs point towards Chelsea having made the right decision in splashing out on the Belgian international. 

ST Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres looks to be back to his old self after putting on an impressive showing against Newcastle, winning a penalty and scoring a fantastic goal off the outside of his boot.

Add in his goal against Reading in midweek and it's been a confidence-inspiring week for the Spanish international.

A lot is going to depend on Fernando Torres this season after the departures of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. The early signs are looking good for Torres; he seems to be an entirely different player from last season.

ST Dani Schahin

Fortuna Dusseldorf's Dani Schahin grabbed himself two goals as his side got off to a winning start away at Augsburg. 

His first goal, a dipping volley from outside the box, was a thing of absolute beauty, whilst his second was a well-taken striker's goal.

This was Schahin's first game for Dusseldorf; not a bad start for the 23-year-old.