Brazilians Abroad: Coutinho, Oscar, Brandao and More...

It's been an important weekend of action right across Europe and, once more, Brazilian players have had their say in some of the week's biggest games.

Whether contributing in attack or defence, there have been several players who have stood out and written headlines with the importance of their contributions and over the next few pages we will look at just a few of these stories.

Some are now relative veterans, while others are just beginning to create their own legacies in the upper echelons of the game. All, though, are proudly flying the flag for the five-time World Cup-winning nation.

Without further ado, then, let's take a look at just a handful of the biggest Brazil-related stories in Europe this week.

Coutinho Bedding in Nicely at Anfield

Liverpool were in scintillating form on Saturday evening as they wasted little time in dismantling Wigan 4-0 at the DW Stadium. Through it all, particularly the first half, January signing Philippe Coutinho was central to the Reds' vibrant attacking play.

After just two minutes the former Inter Milan man was on hand to help open the scoring, nicely rounding his defender before crossing for Stewart Downing to convert for the first goal.

Fifteen minutes later the score was 2-0, and once more Coutinho was central to his side making the breakthrough. This time, rather than a cross, it was a wonderfully judged through-ball to Luis Suarez that would result in the goal and the Brazilian's second assist of the afternoon.

While his game may have quietened down before his eventual withdrawal for Jordan Henderson in the second half, he was generally lively and willing to work hard for his team as they looked to send out a message in victory.

His Anfield career may just be getting started, but there have been truly promising signs thus far.

An Oscar-Worthy Display

Oscar has tended to divide opinion since arriving in West London with some supporters seemingly expecting more of the £25 million signing from Internacional.

It is easy to forget, though, that the Brazil international is just 21 years old and had no previous experience of European football. In that context, his performances have been more than satisfactory.

The main criticism, not to say he has played badly, is that Oscar does not consistently seek to influence games. At his best, though, he is everywhere, and that was certainly the case on Saturday afternoon.

As Chelsea overcame a stubborn West Brom side 1-0, Oscar was the standout creative player for the Blues. It was a performance very much reminiscent of his best displays for Brazil.

The midfielder would touch the ball 92 times in all, far more than anyone else on show, and with that he sought to organise the Blues' attacking play.

He was unlucky not to supply a goal for a teammate with a series of well-guided through-balls while also proving the most direct of all his team's players with seven shots on goal in total.

Against one of the league's most robust and industrious defensive-midfield pairings, Oscar delivered a demonstration of just what he can add to this current Chelsea side.

Brandao Continues Scoring Streak

He may not always be the most aesthetically pleasing target man on show, but there is no doubting the impact that an in-form Brandao can have on a side.

The powerful forward has started 13 Ligue 1 games this season and remarkably, Saint-Etienne are undefeated in those encounters. His brace against Nice on the weekend also took his goal tally to nine—a new personal Ligue 1 season's best.

There is something remarkable happening for Les Verts at the moment as they leapfrogged their opponents into fourth place in the French table. Third place and a Champions League spot are within touching distance.

Teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will take the majority of the plaudits, but with the side now on an unbeaten run of eight league games, Brandao also deserves great credit.

Six goals in his past six games have been instrumental in that success, with the big Brazilian doing his best to earn himself Champions League football once more.

Jonas Strikes as Valencia Suffer Late Derby Anguish

Another Brazilian in fine recent form in front of goal is Valencia's Jonas who, in a 2-2 derby draw with Levante on Saturday, notched his fifth La Liga strike of 2013.

It had been a slow start to the season for the former Gremio man, but he has sprung into life over the past couple of months to once more look like notching double figures for the league campaign.

In many ways it was a typical strike for the Brazilian, pouncing on indecision in the penalty area to level the scores at 1-1 midway through the first-half. Jonas, when at his best, is a terrific poacher in front of goal.

Sadly, though, his side would not hold onto their first-half lead as, in the 89th minute, Levante's JoseJavier Barkero smashed home a leveller to silence the Mestalla crowd and damage Valencia's European ambitions.

Next up for Jonas and his side, the mammoth task of overturning Paris Saint-Germain's 2-1 Champions League advantage in the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Allan Comes of Age for Udinese

When Udinese signed the Brazilian trio of Allan, Willian and Maicosuel at the beginning of the season, it was supposed to be the latter duo whose experience would help them better adapt to life in Italy. It has not been the case.

Instead, it has been unassuming former Vasco da Gama midfielder Allan who has impressed for his new club on the most regular basis. This weekend, in beating Pescara, he was one the game's outstanding performers.

Sitting at the base of the midfield, the Brazilian asserted his quiet influence throughout the game. He would take possession of the ball more than any other player on the pitch and added structure to his side's attacking play.

Defensively, though, he was just as noteworthy. Allan hassled his Pescara opponents all game and was responsible for the breaking up of several initially dangerous looking moves.

Udinese would ultimately hang on to their 1-0 lead to claim an important away win. Allan, who was joined by countrymen Gabriel Silva, Maicosuel and Danilo in the side, was a key factor in the success.

Douglas Costa Steps Up for Shakhtar

With the January departure of Willian to Russian side Anzhi, Shakhtar are going to need one of their other Brazilians to up their game and fill the void if they are to continue their success of recent years.

Alex Teixeira and recent €20 million signing Taison appear to be the preferred choice of coach Mircea Lucescu at present, but could it be that Douglas Costa is finally fulfilling his talent at the Donbass Arena?

Douglas has been a highly rated player ever since attracting the prolonged interest of Manchester United while a youth player at Gremio. Since a 2010 move to Ukraine, though, the 22-year-old has been a little too inconsistent to justify his billing.

Now, though, with Willian having opened up a space in the first-team, there is a chance for the lively attacking midfielder. Two goals in his first two competitive outings of 2013 thus far is a good start, but he must now set about seizing that opportunity with both hands.

On Friday night it was fairly straightforward for an understrength Shakhtar side to beat Volyn 4-1 as the Ukranian league resumed for the 2013 season.

Douglas, though, must now look to make a similar impact against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night if he is to be granted a shot at regular Champions League action.