European Team of the Week: Gutierrez Earns Reward for Saving Newcastle

Jonas Gutierrez is WhoScored.com’s European player of the week. On what could turn out to be his final game for the club, the Argentinian played a key role for Newcastle United to secure their Premier League safety as they overcame West Ham United 2-0 on the final day of the season. Gutierrez provided the assist for Moussa Sissoko’s opener before getting on the scoresheet himself five minutes from time. Three key passes and eight successful dribbles contributed to his perfect WhoScored.com rating of 10.

Premier League counterpart Marc Albrighton features on the opposite flank following his impressive outing in Leicester's 5-1 trouncing of QPR. The wideman capped off a commendable second half of the season with the man-of-the-match award on the last day of the campaign. Albrighton netted Leicester’s second of the encounter and was a constant offensive threat for his side over the 90 minutes, making five key passes and three successful dribbles, while four tackles helped him gain a rating of 9.31.

Lille duo Idrissa Gueye and Sofiane Boufal complete the midfield after their performances in the 4-1 win over Metz. Gueye netted Lille’s second in the victory, with three key passes and four successful dribbles rounding off a notable showing at the weekend. However, Boufal overshadowed Gueye’s display, with the 21-year-old the creative hub of the team.

The youngster provided the assist for three of Lille’s four goals in the encounter from seven key passes. Five successful dribbles and five tackles rounded off a commendable performance from the young Frenchman, who made only his 11th league start of the season against Metz.

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Mame Biram Diouf leads the attack due to his display in Stoke’s 6-1 thrashing of Liverpool on Sunday. The Senegal international netted a quick-fire first-half double to set the Potters on their way to victory before turning provider for Peter Crouch to net Stoke’s sixth late on. Diouf had only two shots on goal over the 90 minutes, highlighting his ruthlessness in front of goal at the Britannia Stadium, while three key passes capped off an impressive showing from the striker.

Aritz Aduriz partners Diouf in attack this week after he churned out an excellent performance for Athletic Bilbao. The Bilbao-based side ended a mixed campaign on a high with a thrilling 4-0 win over Villarreal. The experienced Spaniard netted his side’s opener from the penalty spot midway through the first half before bagging a second on the hour mark. Aduriz also provided an assist, with one of his two key passes having laid on Andoni Iraola’s first-half goal. Four aerial duels won contributed to his WhoScored.com man-of-the-match award.

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Marcelo stars at left-back after his showing in Real Madrid’s 7-3 win over Getafe on Saturday evening. The Brazilian defender netted his second league goal of the season in the dying embers of the encounter, having previously provided the assist for Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener at the Bernabeu. Three key passes and three successful dribbles capped a notable return for the defender in the fixture.

Theodor Gebre Selassie features at right-back despite Werder Bremen’s 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Selassie netted late on to give his side a chance of coming away from the Westfalenstadion with a positive result, having played a key role for his side over the 90 minutes. A majority of Werder's attacks came down the right flank (42 percent), while his defensive performance—three tackles, seven interceptions and nine clearances—suggests he was one player who did not deserve to be on a losing side this weekend.

Reported Manchester United target Nicolas Otamendi stars at the heart of the defence after his man-of-the-match display in Valencia’s dramatic 3-2 win at Almeria. The centre-back netted his side’s equaliser on the half-hour mark at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, though it was his resolute defensive showing that ensured Los Che secured maximum points on Saturday. Otamendi made three tackles, three interceptions and 14 clearances and won nine aerial duels. Valencia secured a spot in next season's Champions League courtesy of their in-demand defender.

He is partnered at centre-back with Marseille’s Nicolas N'Koulou, who churned out a solid defensive display in the 3-0 win over Bastia. Victory may not have been enough for L'OM to secure a place in Europe’s elite competition next term, but N'Koulou ensured Marseille ended the season with a flourish in front of their own fans. The Cameroon international won six aerial duels and made six tackles, two interceptions and seven clearances against Bastia as well as maintaining a 100 percent pass success rate in a noteworthy showing for Marcelo Bielsa’s team.

Costel Pantilimon completes the XI after his spectacular showing at the Emirates Stadium last Wednesday. The Romanian was at his best when Sunderland made the midweek trip to the capital, making eight saves and one cross claim as the Black Cats secured a 0-0 draw with Arsenal and their Premier League safety in north London.

WhoScored

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