Europa League: Team of the Week
UEFA has published today Europa League Team of the Week of round 1 and two rossoneri make the cut alongside two Real Sociedad players.
Goalkeeper
Iago Herrerin (Athletic Bilbao)
Five saves from shots inside the penalty area and one from outside in an excellent performance as his side drew 0-0 at Hertha Berlin. Also made two high claims and a punch.
Defenders
Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal)
Contributed as much going forward as he did defensively as Arsenal recovered to beat Köln 3-1. Created two chances, produced two dribbles and made four crosses, capping his display with a first European goal.
Diego Llorente (Real Sociedad)
Two goals and a masterful defensive display in what was only his second outing of the season, with four clearances and three interceptions in a 4-0 triumph over Rosenborg.
Andrea Masiello (Atalanta)
Made nine defensive interventions in a clean sheet against Everton and caused all manner of problems with his aerial threat at the other end, too, scoring the opener and carving out two other glorious chances.
Eduard Sobol (Slavia Praha)
Only Bellerín picked up more points than Sobol among full-backs after an assist and two chances created. Also contributed five tackles, four clearances and two interceptions as Slavia beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-0.
Midfielders
Rodrigo Hernández (Villarreal)
A defensive midfield masterclass as Villarreal made light of Bruno Soriano’s absence. Chipped in with an assist, but it was his seven tackles, three interceptions and 91% pass completion rate that set the tone for a 3-1 win against Astana.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu (AC Milan)
Blistering start away to Austria Wien saw him score one and set up two for André Silva (more on him later!) in the opening 20 minutes. Connected with 66 of his 73 passes, 16 coming in the final third.
Sergio Canales (Real Sociedad)
At creative best against Rosenborg with one assist and five chances created. Produced eight crosses, had three dribbles and won three corners, and was a thorn in the Norwegian team’s side.
Dimitri Payet (Marseille)
Helped his side edge past Konyaspor, providing the assist for the only goal from Adil Rami. Created four chances, provided four crosses and made six dribbles.
Forwards
Andre Silva (AC Milan)
Three goals from three attempts against Austria Wien as the Portuguese striker become the first Milan player to score a hat-trick a European hat-trick since Kaká in 2006.
Aleksandr Kokorin (Zenit)
André Silva briefly knocked the 26-year-old off top spot in the early games but the Zenit striker hit back in emphatic fashion with two goals and an assist in a 5-0 victory at Vardar.