'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
League action resumed across Europe this weekend and as expected, it produced some riveting contests. Though Juventus and Manchester City did not play a league game this weekend, other top teams did not disappoint.
Manchester United won an all-important top four clash against Chelsea whereas Real Madrid and FC Barcelona also registered thumping victories. AC Milan also caught the eye in their 2-0 win over AS Roma. Many players gave standout performances, shining brightly, this past weekend.
In this segment, we will take a look at the European team of the week consisting of the best of the best from this weekend's football action:
Goalkeeper: Sergio Asenjo (Villarreal)
In order to maintain their top-five position in the league, the Submarines needed to avoid any let off against Getafe. Although they took a lead in the first half, Getafe gradually came into the game and put Villarreal under the cosh. But Sergio Asenjo stood in the way of Getafe on the night.
The custodian saved two penalties and proved to be the saviour for his side. He guessed both the spot-kicks correctly and also made a couple of other decent saves. Asenjo was the difference between a win and a loss for Villarreal as the Spaniard produced a masterclass between the sticks.
Defence
Right back: Davide Calabria (AC Milan)
The Rossoneri needed a statement performance against the capital side and the player that was up for it the most, was right back Davide Calabria. Milan changed tactics at the break and decided to use their fullbacks a lot more than usual. And that's when Calabria started to assert himself.
He was solid defensively first of all, making 5 successful tackles and 4 interceptions. The full-back then scored the all-important second goal for Milan by playing a neat one-two with Kalinic and then dinking one over Alisson.
Centre back: Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan were the second best side for close to over an hour against Benevento. The defence had to bail the home side out on numerous occasions with Skriniar impressing the most. The central defender not only defended strongly but also gave his side the all-important lead through a header.
Skriniar recycled the ball well and had 93% passing accuracy. He was strong in the air and won all of his aerial duels. Along with that, the in-demand centre-back also made three crucial clearances on the night.
Centre back: Matija Nastasic (Schalke 04)
Against a fluid Bayer Leverkusen attack consisting of Julian Brandt, Leon Bailey and Kevin Volland, Schalke needed a strong defensive performance away from home. Playing as the right-sided centre-back in a back three, Nastasic handled the threat of Leverkusen attacks strongly.
He combined well with Bastian Oczipka on the right flank to start attacks and also sprayed passes all around the field. The former Manchester City defender won 4 out of his 5 tackles on the night and never looked off the pace against the opponents' pacy forwards.
Left back: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
The Scot is slowly becoming an Anfield favourite and produced another brilliant display against West Ham United. Robertson did not have much to do defensively in this game but caught the attention with his stunning work rate and attacking output.
His crossing was top notch on the night and produced two clear-cut chances. The left-back had the second most touches (112) on the field and also attempted 3 successful dribbles. Robertson truly gave Pablo Zabaleta a nightmarish experience on the left flank and was one of Liverpool's best players on the night.
Midfield
Central midfield: Nemanja Matic (Manchester United)
The Serbian needed a huge performance against his former side if United had any ambitions of beating Chelsea. Led by Matic, United's central trio effectively won the midfield battle against the Blues. Matic nipped a number of Chelsea attacks in the bud and also played an important role in United's equalizer.
Matic marshalled Willian to perfection after the hour mark as the Brazilian found it almost impossible to get past the Serb in the latter stages of the game. He had a 90% passing accuracy against Chelsea and also took one for the team with his booking. Matic's cross-field balls were useful while he also made 4 crucial interceptions.
Central midfield: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
The 23-year-old midfielder is on the radar of almost every top club in the world and against Sassuolo on Sunday, he showed exactly what the fuss around him is all about. Milinkovic-Savic bossed the midfield around against the Serie A strugglers and also scored two goals on the night.
His first was a stunning 25-yard curler which nestled into the top right corner after a devilish dip. He scored the second soon after the break, getting at the end of a Felipe Anderson cross. He won 6 duels on the night, succeeded 100% of his dribbles and also delivered 4 pinpoint long balls.
Attacking midfield: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Against Girona, Messi produced arguably his best performance of the season. With two goals and two assists, the Argentinian put the newcomers to the sword. Despite Luis Suarez scoring a hattrick in the game, it was Messi who was the most influential player for the Catalans.
Messi initially wriggled past four players to score his first and then scored an under-the-wall free-kick to make it two on the night. He could have had a hattrick but his stunning chip was saved off the line by a rushing Bernardo. His two assists also saw him become the highest assist provider in the history of La Liga.
Forwards
Left wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Ronaldo has been among the goals in recent weeks and he continued his purple patch in the 4-0 win over Alaves. He scored two and sacrificed a penalty in order to let Karim Benzema have a much-needed confidence booster. It could have been Ronaldo's 50th career hattrick if he had taken that spot kick.
Meanwhile, both of his goals on Saturday were instinctive and came because of his sharpness and movement in the box. He looked to be in the mood against Alaves and attempted as many as eight shots. With his brace, the big man is up to 28 goals for the season.
Right wing: Willian (Chelsea)
The Brazilian winger continued where he left off and displayed the same destructive form against Manchester United that he showed against FC Barcelona. Willian was Chelsea's best player on the night and tormented United in the first half. He capped off a fine counter-attacking move and smashed home at De Gea's near post.
Willian was the player that troubled United the most. He attempted four shots on the night and had an 80% success rate in his dribbles (8/10). Jose Mourinho reserved some praise for him after the match and called him "cream of the crop".
This is also turning out to be Willian's best season in a Blue shirt and has been involved in 19 goals so far in the season (12 goals, 7 assists).
Striker: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
The French striker kept Atletico Madrid's title hopes alive with a stunning performance against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Piszjuan. The Colchoneros won 5-2 on the night and Griezmann was involved in four of the goals scored. He scored a treble and also assisted one to Koke.
His first one was a belter, scoring with his right foot from 25 yards out. Griezmann doubled his scoring from the spot and scored his hattrick with a tap-in, courtesy of some good work from Saul. Though Luis Suarez also scored a hattrick this gameweek, it is Griezmann who grabs the spot in this elite list because of his all-round performance.
Bench: Jarstein (Hertha Berlin), Cancelo (Inter Milan), Romagnoli (Inter Milan), Chamberlain (Liverpool), Lopes (AS Monaco), Lukaku (Manchester United), Suarez (FC Barcelona).
