In Spain, Germany and France, three predictable names top the league with Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco, respectively, leading the way at the beginning of October. In England and Italy, however, Arsenal and AS Roma top the Premier League and Serie A respectively, with the latter perhaps the more surprising following their summer activity.
While the Gunners brought in Mesut Özil, Roma saw the likes of Erik Lamela, Pablo Osvaldo and Marquinhos depart, all of whom had a significant impact for the Italian outfit last season. Yet, after the opening 6 games, Roma boast a 100% record, and are one of only three teams to do so alongside Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Europe's top 5 leagues.
In terms of goals scored over the course of the month, Barcelona lead the way having hit the back of the net an impressive 16 times in 5 league games, an average of 3.2 per game. Much of this was down to the goalscoring exploits of Lionel Messi, with the Argentine scoring 6 of their 16 goals in September, no player scored more than the 26-year-old.
Having won all 5 of their games, conceding just 5 goals in the process, Barcelona, as a team, secured an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.46; the highest of every team in Europe’s top 5 leagues. It caps off an impressive first full month for head coach Gerardo Martino, who succeeded Tito Vilanova at the Camp Nou helm.
Messi’s exploits in front of goal also saw his average rating soar to an impressive 9.05 over the month, with that figure the highest of every player to have made at least 2 appearances. While Messi has impressed with a predictably sizeable return of goals, his creative ability over September was overshadowed by a player who turned 37 last week.
Francesco Totti has been rolling back the years in recent matches, and despite a major summer overhaul at the Stadio Olimpico, has been impressive for the Giallorossi. The gladiatorial Italian registered 5 assists in his 5 appearances, the most of every player during the month. It comes as little surprise then to see that Totti also executed the most key passes (23), as the Roma captain contributed heavily to their astonishing start to the season, earning an average rating of 8.04.
In terms of clear-cut goalscoring chances created, Barcelona’s Cesc Fàbregas provided 8 for his teammates over the month, with that figure the most of every player in Europe’s top 5 leagues. The Spaniard has started the season in superb form and is deserving of his place in the starting XI following a summer of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United. Unsurprisingly, Messi capitalised on the creative expertise of his Barcelona teammate, netting 4 clear-cut goalscoring opportunities in September; no player netted more.
Defensively, Allan was one of the stand out performers last month, with the Udinese midfielder making 30 tackles for the Serie A side; an average of 6 per game. While the Bianconeri have underperformed thus far, the Brazilian midfielder has added bite in the middle of the park to ensure that the team are unbeaten at the Stadio Fruili so far this season.
In terms of interceptions, Athletic Bilbao defender Carlos Gurpegi called upon his superb reading of the game to register 28 over the month, averaging 5.6 per game in aid of the La Liga side. Following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa, Ernesto Valverde has turned the fortunes of the club around, with Bilbao currently lying in 5th in Spain’s top tier following a campaign that saw them avoid relegation by just 9 points. Gurpegi has been key to this, and even more so following the departure of Fernando Amorebieta to Fulham
In between the sticks, Verona’s Rafael has been the busiest goalkeeper in Europe’s top 5 leagues, with the Brazilian making 35 saves during the month - an average of 7 per game - accentuating how important the 31-year-old may be upon their return to Serie A. The Gialloblu are currently 7th in Italy’s top tier and have their goalkeeper to thank for their impressive start to life back in the top-flight.
It's clear that there were some impressive performances by players in Europe’s top 5 leagues last month, but unsurprisingly; it was Messi who outperformed his competitors once again. The diminutive Argentine continues to break records for the La Liga champions and his 6 goals contributed significantly to Barcelona being WhoScored.com's highest rated team for September.
Who do you think was the most impressive player in September? Let us know in the comments below
