Last weekend saw most of Europe’s main leagues finish up for the season, with Ligue 1 the only major division with fixtures now remaining. As usual, there were plenty of eye-catching performances over the continent for us to analyse as we take our weekly Tuesday round-up of the best performers in our Europe All Star XI.
Yuto Nagatomo Rating 8.79
The Inter right-back was a real attacking threat throughout as Leonardo’s side signed off for the season with a 3-1 win over Catania at the San Siro. He had 94 Touches, making 58 Passes with a brilliant 91% Accuracy.
Nagatomo made 4 Key Passes and 8 Crosses, the most of any Inter player for both categories, and with such a creative performance can count himself unlucky to add an Assist to his name. He also made 2 Successful Dribbles and had 1 Shot, returning 1 Goal. He was strong defensively, too; his contribution at the back of 4 Interceptions, 5 Clearances and 1 Successful Duel was only bettered by Marco Materazzi for Leonardo’s side.
For such an impressive all-round performance, Nagatomo picked up the Man of the Match award -his third of the Serie A campaign- on his way to a match rating of 8.79.
Gabi Fernandez Rating 9.72
The defensive midfielder was outstanding as he scored both Zaragoza goals in a crucial 2-1 away win over Levante that secured his side’s La Liga safety on the very last day of the season.
Fernandez had 3 Shots, with all 3 On Target, resulting in his haul of 2 Goals. In possession, he had more Touches (108) and Passes (74) than anyone, with an 84% Pass Accuracy that saw him make 3 Key Passes, 2 Crosses and 8 Long Balls, in addition to 1 Successful Dribble.
The Spaniard’s 5 Tackles was also the most of any player and he was the most Fouled player of any on the pitch -on 4 occasions- as he picked up the Man of the Match award on his way to a rating of 9.72.
Steven Taylor Rating 8.89
Newcastle’s centre-half made a vital contribution at both ends of the pitch in his side’s 3-3 home draw with West Brom. Taylor had 3 Shots, grabbing 1 Goal, his third in successive matches. He had 54 Touches and made 42 Passes, with a 93% Accuracy.
Taylor’s presence at the back was equally crucial; he made 2 Clearances off the Line to prevent Newcastle conceding further, as well as winning 2 Aerial Duels, making 2 Tackles, 3 Clearances and managed 4 Shot Blocks -more than any other player- for a match rating of 8.89.
Jonathan de Guzman Rating 9.16
Playing in the hole behind a lone striker in Mallorca’s 4-2-3-1, De Guzman was superb in his side’s 4-3 home defeat by Atletico Madrid. Mallorca were ensconced in the final day relegation battle but despite the loss, avoided the drop with results elsewhere going their way.
The attacking midfielder was at the heart of Mallorca’s play; a fantastic 107 Touches, 76 Passes, 4 Key Passes and 12 Long Balls easily the most for each category as he carved open the opposition defence time and again, leading to Mallorca’s 23 Shots in the game.
He had 2 Successful Dribbles and 5 Crosses, too, as well as 2 Shots -both On Target- grabbing a Goal and Assist for his performance. His 6 Interceptions also helped break up the Atletico possession and saw him awarded a match rating of 9.16.
