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The free-flowing moves that result in goals, the accurate passing, pinpoint crosses, long distance cannons. These are all elements of football that bring joy to football fans all across the world.
While there has been warranted criticism for negative minded coaches like Jose Mourinho, Tony Pulis and to a lesser extent Diego Simeone, high praise should be given to the coaches and teams who have dared to play the beautiful game in the manner that it should be played.
The surprising thing has been the willingness of teams other than the traditional big ones to go on the front foot and attack as well as entertain.
#6. RB Leipzig (Germany)
The new kids on the block have continued their gegenpressing, high octane, end to end footballing style which won them a lot of admirers last season.
While this all-action approach has led to the team conceding lots of goals and their fair share of losses, it has also given the team fearlessness and a self-belief that they can take on anybody.
The additions of a new crop of youngsters; Jean Augustin (PSG), Jeffrey Bruma (Galatasaray SK) alongside the experienced midfielder Kevin Kampl (Bayer Leverkusen) has added a new dynamic to an exciting team that already featured the talents of Timo Werner, Emile Forsberg, Naby Keita among others.
Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl has continued to tweak his side to continue delivering this pleasing style of play that has seen Die Roten Bullen score 20 goals in all competitions (Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League).
The first-ever win in the UCL (a 3-2 win over FC Porto) & the smashing of league leaders Borussia Dortmund at the famed Signal Iduna Park (another 3-2 win) are positive pointers to the team's excellence.
#5. SS Lazio (Italy)
Not much thought was given to Lazio this season following the team’s bad performances towards the end of last season and the belief that the team would lose some of its better players.
The likes of Felipe Anderson, Stefan De Vrij among others were expected to leave the Rossoblu but the team managed to keep the core of the squad which came fifth in the Serie A last season.
The early signs were there as a rampant Lazio team destroyed Juventus in the Copa Italia. In a performance that sent shockwaves along the Italian peninsula, Simone Inzaghi’s men beat Juve 3-2.
An irresistible attacking force led by the rejuvenated Ciro Immobile with support from Spanish journeyman Luis Alberto and Italian Marco Parolo among others have plundered 32 goals in both Serie A & Europa League matches with eye-catching wins at Juventus (Serie A) & OGC Nice (Europa League) the pick of the bunch.
#4. Olympique Lyonnais (France)
Les Gones have been goal crazy this season and have been delivering great entertainment to their fans and neutrals alike.
The team’s relative inexperience coupled with the all-out attacking philosophy of coach Bruno Génésio has meant that the team concedes almost as much as they score which explains the team’s lowly Ligue 1 position of 5th.
The very young frontline ably marshalled by skipper Nabi Fekir has been playing free-flowing expressive football and are delivering very good numbers individually and as a team.
New signings Bertrand Traore (Chelsea) & Mariano Diaz (Real Madrid) have led the line well ably assisted by Memphis Depay, Maxwel Cornet & Myziane Maolida amongst others.
The team has scored 29 goals in Ligue 1/Europa League games and with its swift attacking, hard running style, expect them to score many more.
#3. Valencia CF (Spain)
While FC Barcelona currently occupy the top spot in La Liga, the team has been nowhere near the standards of previous years with their play generally dull, insipid & uninspiring.
The most entertaining team in La Liga have undoubtedly been Valencia and their resurgence under new coach Marcelino has been amazing to watch.
The basket case team of the previous years has been replaced by a leaner, meaner outfit that plays 180km per hour football.
Marcelino’s famously strict physical regime and emphasis on positive attacking football have produced a well-drilled unit that is fitter, leaner and meaner both at the back and in front of goal.
Playing the mass attack, mass defence style with a good mix of loan signings, players who have a point to prove and youth team products, Los Che have been blowing teams away with 25 goals scored in just 9 La Liga games.
This record is more impressive when it is considered that the team played three of last season’s top four sides; winners Real Madrid and fellow UCL teams Atletico Madrid and Sevilla CF & are still unbeaten.
#2. SSC Napoli (Italy)
Few teams are operating at the level that Maurizio Sarri’s Gli Azzurri are currently operating and all credit is due to the very wily tactician.
Keeping possession while circulating the ball in a quick and precise manner has become the hallmark of this Napoli team with the forwards attacking at break neck speed and always pushing the opposition onto the backfoot.
This becomes even more remarkable given the lack of significant investment in the summer’s transfer window with young winger Andre Ounas (Bordeaux) the only purchase.
A lot of teams especially the big ones would suffer if their top striker with an extended injury lay-off but Napoli have coped magnificently with the loss of Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik.
The front three of Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and José Callejón with captain Marek Hamsik in the playmaking role have been ripping sides apart and their goals have led the team to the top of Serie A with the team scoring 31 in 9 Serie A & 3 UCL games played so far.
#1. Manchester City (England)
The premier entertainers in European football, every Manchester City game so far has seen an average of two goals per game with the Citizens the current darling of football pundits.
Pep Guardiola’s imprint can be seen in the style of play with the hogging of possession, crisp passing, non-stop movement and constant changing of positions during matches now part & parcel of this City side.
These characteristics were hallmarks of the Spaniard’s teams at FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich and after a season of trial and error and backed by the wealth of the owners of the club, the team is looking ominously good with options all over the place in attack.
Kevin De Bruyne is currently having an Indian summer with his performances drawing plaudits and favourable comparisons with the best players in the world.
The striking pair of Sergio Aguero and his younger partner in crime; Gabriel Jesus have been putting away the many chances the likes of De Bruyne have been creating while the young wing pair of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane have shown marked improvements from last season.
The Citizens are Europe’s top scoring team this season with 40 goals in the Premier League & the UEFA Champions League
