Following the conclusion of eight matches in the Europa League quarter-finals, we have an exciting all-Premier League semi-final featuring Aston Villa against Nottingham Forest, as well as an unexpected clash between Freiburg and Braga. But who emerged as the standout players from this round?
Goalkeeper
Stefan Ortega (Nottingham Forest) – 8.0
In the second leg, Ortega was fortunate to have the crossbar save him on two occasions, and with Porto reduced to 10 men, he had a quieter game overall. However, he was the standout performer for Forest in the first leg.
He made two crucial saves in the opening minute and ended up with seven saves in total. Statistically, he prevented two additional goals for Porto, a vital contribution given the closeness of the tie, ensuring Forest’s path to the semi-finals.
Defenders
Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) – 7.6
Williams proved pivotal in Forest’s victory over Porto with his attacking flair.
The 25-year-old’s effort was instrumental in setting up Morgan Gibbs-White’s winning goal. He registered three shots, made 27 out of 28 passes in the final third, won nine duels, and successfully tackled all four attempts.
Matthias Ginter (Freiburg) – 7.7
Ginter wasn’t the standout figure in the second leg against Celta Vigo since his attacking teammates were in the limelight, but Freiburg’s solid central defender played a crucial role through both legs, earning a commendable 9.0 rating for his inaugural appearance at this contest’s quarter-finals.
Winning eight duels, making three interceptions, and executing three clearances, he demonstrated his prowess. Despite being one of the most engaged passers on the field, he maintained over 90 per cent accuracy.
And to cap it all, he scored the all-important third goal for Freiburg, placing Celta in a challenging position.
Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) – 7.5
Digne’s impressive rating for the second leg stemmed prominently from a single long throw, which was converted by Emiliano Buendia to secure the aggregate victory over Bologna. However, that was merely the cherry on top.
The indefatigable left-back covered the entire pitch, competing hard in both defensive and offensive scenarios. While he did rack up eight fouls across the two matches, his defensive contributions outweighed any concerns about his tackling manners.
Midfielders
Jan-Niklas Beste (Freiburg) – 8.4
Throughout both encounters, Beste emerged as a key figure for Freiburg, diligently contributing far beyond his typical role on the right flank. Most importantly, his efforts bore fruit.
He netted a goal from Igor Matanovic’s pass in the first leg and later assisted Yuito Suzuki’s opener in the second. No matter which stat you analyse, Beste displayed no evident weaknesses and his skills led to two of Freiburg’s six goals in the quarter-finals.
Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) – 7.6
Although the second leg was not Tielemans’ finest hour—at times, he seemed almost invisible—he made his mark in the first match, contributing crucial final passes to help Villa secure a two-goal lead at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
His precision from set pieces and consistent corner deliveries were impressive, leaving even the most skilled players envious.
Florian Grillitsch (Braga) – 7.6
Following Braga’s remarkable comeback against Real Betis, it’s hard to forget Grillitsch’s stunning goal from the first leg. When he arrived at Braga, expectations were modest, but he’s proved himself to be an invaluable asset.
His exceptional solo effort secured him the spotlight during the first half of the quarter-final, and he remained on the pitch for the entirety of the return match, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Vincenzo Grifo (Freiburg) – 7.6
Grifo’s stunning long-range shot, which kicked off Freiburg’s tie with Celta, was a sight to behold, marking his fourth goal in this season’s Europa League. Notably, he also recorded his third assist of the tournament in the second leg, albeit in unexpected circumstances.
Even at 33 years of age, he may not play full matches anymore, yet he still managed to clock almost 130 minutes in a tie that could redefine his team’s history.
Forwards
Igor Matanovic (Freiburg) – 7.8
Matanovic played a significant role in Freiburg’s triumph over Celta, providing an assist in the first leg and scoring the opener in the return match.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) – 8.1
Watkins shone against Bologna, netting three times—a tally equal to his total goals for the entire Europa League season up to that point.
Shoutouts to Tielemans and Morgan Rogers for their fantastic assists in both matches; however, they in no way detract from Watkins’ exceptional instinct during this tie.
His performance has now resulted in him celebrating his 100th goal for Aston Villa, marking a historic milestone as the first player to achieve this since 1962.
Jonathan Rowe (Bologna) – 7.2
In the second leg, Rowe was effectively muted, but he caused quite a stir in Bologna during the first leg. Ironically, the Englishman was key in keeping the hopes of the Italian side alive against Villa.
He had six attempts on goal, one of which breathed life into Rossoblu’s chances. The execution was flawless: a run from the touchline into the box, outmanoeuvring two defenders with a thunderous shot that clattered in off the post—complete with an intense expression urging his teammates to stay in the fight.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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