European Team of the Week: Ribery, Robben Star for Bayern, Pirlo Spurs Juventus
Franck Ribery is WhoScored.com’s European player of the week after his starring role in Bayern Munich's 6-0 win at lowly Paderborn on Saturday, with his 10-out-of-10 display earning our man-of-the-match award.
Three key passes played and nine successful dribbles, to go with his two assists and one goal, contributed to Ribery’s impressive rating as Bayern ruthlessly dispatched their Bundesliga counterparts.
Team-mate Arjen Robben joins Ribery in the team this week on the opposite flank. The flying Dutchman is currently the highest rated player in Germany’s top tier with a rating of 8.56.
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A second-half brace at the weekend means Robben has now scored more league goals than any other player (16) in the Bundesliga this season, while his two assists took him to five for the campaign. Five dribbles and four key passes helped push Robben’s rating to 10 for a second week running.
The experienced Andrea Pirlo features in the middle of the park this week. The Italian netted the eventual winner for Juventus in a 2-1 win over Atalanta on Friday night.
On the ball, Pirlo impressed, finding a teammate with 92.3 percent of his 78 attempted passes, four of which created a chance for his side.
Off the ball, the 35-year-old limited the impact of the Atalanta attack, making three tackles, six interceptions and one clearance.
Young Morgan Sanson partners Pirlo in midfield. Sanson netted the opener for Montpellier in a 2-0 win at Guingamp, but it was his defensive work that helped his side to victory.
The 20-year-old made more tackles (eight) than any other player in the encounter at the Stade du Roudourou, yet still managed to provide an offensive threat from deep, having had more shots (four) than any Montpellier player in his side’s win.
Ligue 1 counterpart Emiliano Sala stars in attack this week. After a disappointing start to the season, Caen have begun to haul themselves up the table and are now unbeaten in their last six games, winning five.
Sala netted either side of half-time as Patrice Garande’s side secured a 4-1 win over relegation-haunted Lens.
The 24-year-old’s two goals came from two shots, while his five aerial duels won and three successful dribbles ensured Sala churned out the ideal striking performance.
Former Middlesbrough frontman Massimo Maccarone partners Sala up front. Empoli have begun to find form at just the right time and are now unbeaten in their last four matches, with Maccarone key to this.
The Italian has seven league goals to his name this season, five of which have come in his last four appearances.
His brace against relegation rivals Chievo at the weekend helped Empoli to a 3-0 win, with the 35-year-old earning our man-of-the-match award in the process.
Four key passes contributed to his rating of 9.22 as the frontman strives to ensure the Azzurri are plying their trade in Serie A next season.
Thiago Silva put in an impressive shift at centre-back as PSG maintained their title hunt at the expense of Toulouse on Saturday.
The Brazilian netted with 15 minutes to play, but it was his defensive qualities that shone through at the weekend.
Silva made four tackles, four interceptions and 11 clearances to help the Parisian side to a much-needed victory.
Daniele Rugani partners Silva at the heart of the defence. The young defender netted the opener against Chievo on Sunday and his defensive display ensured Empoli secured all three points and a clean sheet.
Three tackles, one interception and 11 clearances frustrated the Chievo attack. Four aerial duels won also aided the away side, who were unable to really pressure the Empoli goal.
Daniel Congre features at left-back this week. The 29-year-old was on hand to limit the Guingamp attack on his side of the pitch.
A majority of the hosts’ attacks came down their right flank (39 percent), but Congre guaranteed their offensive moves amounted to little, making five tackles, eight interceptions and 10 clearances in the encounter.
Venezuelan Roberto Rosales makes up the back four following his impressive showing at the Camp Nou as Malaga secured an unlikely 1-0 win over Barcelona.
Despite coming up against the in-from Neymar, Rosales remained composed to help his side to victory, making five tackles, two interceptions and six clearances over the 90 minutes.
Reims goalkeeper Kossi Agassa completes our European team of the week this week.
The experienced shotstopper was in inspiring form for his team in their 0-0 draw with Metz, making seven saves as Reims held out for a point at the Stade Auguste Delaune.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team rankings.
