With Serie A yet to kick-off, there were some extraordinary performances across four of Europe’s other top five leagues over the past weekend. Man United and Man City demonstrated just why they are regarded as the two main challengers for this season’s Premier League title, scoring thirteen goals between them, while Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign with an emphatic away drubbing of Real Zaragoza. Here’s a look at some of Europe’s top individual displays as we showcase the WhoScored All Star XI stand-out players for week 3:
Marcelo, Real Madrid. WhoScored rating 9.75
The Brazilian kept his place at left-back yesterday, as Jose Mourinho surprisingly fielded new signing Fábio Coentrão alongside Xabi Alonso in Madrid’s double pivot. Marcelo had an outstanding game both defensively and going forward- at the back, he made 5 tackles –the most of any Madrid player- 3 interceptions, 2 clearances and 2 blocked shots.
As an attacking presence, his game excelled too- 4 key passes from a total of 55 with an 85% accuracy and with 1 shot on goal, Marcelo returned with 1 goal and 1 assist as Madrid laid down the gauntlet to Barcelona with a 6-0 win. WhoScored.com were suitably impressed, awarding the defender 9.75 for an exceptional showing.
Oliver Barth, Freiburg. WhoScored rating 8.52
The centre half was key to his side’s first Bundesliga win of the new campaign. At the back, Barth made 4 interceptions, 7 clearances and 2 blocked shots, as well as winning 63% of aerial duels to help Freiburg record a clean sheet in the 3-0 triumph over Wolfsburg.
In possession, Barth’s tidiness was highlighted by an 89% pass accuracy as he played 9 long balls, looking to start attacks from deep. He also grabbed the game’s crucial opening goal on the half hour mark to set Freiburg on the way to three points and was awarded a WhoScored.com match rating of 8.52 for an impressive all-round performance.
Midfield
Alain Traore, Auxerre. WhoScored rating 8.96
Playing in the hole behind Dennis Oliech in Auxerre’s 4-2-3-1, Traore was the mastermind behind his club’s first win of the season. He had more touches (90) and made more passes (57) than any other player on the pitch and his contribution was key to the 4-1 rout of Ajaccio.
Traore had 6 shots –also the most of any player- with 3 on target, as he found the net twice and his creative contribution was also eye-catching. He made 4 key passes, 8 crosses and played 7 long balls, tearing the visitors apart with a devastating attacking performance on his way to a WhoScored.com rating of 8.96.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid. WhoScored rating 10
Last season’s European Golden Boot winner wasted no time in getting off the mark as La Liga opened for business at the weekend. Ronaldo had 63 touches but made just 34 passes -the third-lowest number of passes for Madrid. Instead he looked to find the net at all times, firing an incredible 11 shots at goal. With 7 on target, he grabbed a hat-trick as Jose Mourinho’s side battered Zaragoza 6-0 away from home.
Ronaldo made no dribbles or key passes –he left the creativity to Mezut Ozil, who made 7- but with an 82% pass accuracy, 1 tackle and 1 interception in addition to his three-goal haul, started the season with a perfect 10 from WhoScored.com.
Attack
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United. WhoScored rating 10.
Wayne Rooney served up an extraordinary performance in Man United’s 8-2 annihilation of Arsenal. The forward grabbed a hat-trick and made 1 assist as the champions returned to the top of the table in emphatic fashion. Creatively, he was a threat throughout the ninety minutes at Old Trafford- Rooney made 4 key passes from a total of 49 passes- only two players made more key passes in the game.
Rooney’s goal threat was head and shoulders above any other player on the pitch- he had 7 shots at goal, with 5 on target – the next best tally was 4 goal attempts and highlights just how pivotal his role was in the destruction of Arsene Wenger’s lacklustre side. Rooney also made 2 tackles and 1 interception, helping out defensively and showing his desire to track back and win possession, as he was awarded a perfect 10 by WhoScored.com.
Edin Dzeko, Manchester City. WhoScored rating 10.
Last season’s struggles must seem a lifetime away for Edin Dzeko. An astonishing master-class in finishing at White Hart Lane saw the Bosnian score four of Man City’s goals in the 5-1 win. Roberto Mancini’s team had 19 shots at goal yesterday and Dzeko managed 9 of them, with 6 on target.
Dzeko saw much more of the ball than Sergio Aguero- he had 70 touches to the Argentine’s 49, dropping back and getting involved in his team’s build-up play, and made 2 key passes and 1 successful dribble in an outstanding attacking performance. The towering centre-forward also played his part defensively, making 3 interceptions and 1 clearance as he also picked up a perfect 10 from WhoScored.com.
