Team of the Week: Casemiro Stars in Manchester United Victory as PSG Pair Impress

Goalkeeper: 

Janis Blaswich (Bayer Leverkusen) – 8.6

Bayer Leverkusen’s crucial pursuit of Champions League qualification was significantly aided by Blaswich’s standout performance on Saturday. The experienced keeper made eight saves to ensure a 2-1 victory over FC Koln in the Rhine Derby. Stats from Opta indicated that facing an expected goals on target (xGOT) of 2.1, Blaswich’s interventions included a notable save that could have altered the match’s outcome.

Defenders: 

Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund) – 9.3

Bensebaini has been a consistent threat in the opponent’s half, and he excelled in a 4-0 rout of Freiburg. He assisted the opening goal with a well-placed pass, before scoring himself with a powerful header from a corner, contributing to Borussia’s Champions League aspirations.

Joachim Andersen (Fulham) – 8.9

Andersen was instrumental in Fulham’s narrow 1-0 win against Aston Villa, delivering a steadfast defensive display that included three aerial duels won, five ground duels, and four successful tackles to help his team keep their European hopes alive.

Andersen effectively neutralised the threat posed by Ollie Watkins, preventing the in-form forward from influencing the match.

Nolan Norris (FC Dallas) – 9.1

Representing the MLS, Norris is a notable inclusion in the Team of the Week despite his side’s loss. FC Dallas fell 2-1 to Seattle Sounders, but Norris was instrumental, netting a goal just before the break to spark a comeback after trailing 2-0. His defensive contributions included winning six aerial duels, three ground duels, and two tackles, as he showcased a standout performance.

Midfielders: 

Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire) – 9.7

Zinckernagel had an unforgettable match as Chicago Fire achieved a 5-0 rout of Sporting Kansas City, scoring their first two goals and assisting the third, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference.

Lucas Beraldo (PSG) – 9.7 

Beraldo seized his rare opportunity in the starting lineup for PSG against Angers, displaying a formidable midfield performance with a remarkable 94% passing accuracy and three won duels. He capped off his show with a second-half goal in a comfortable 3-0 win.

Casemiro (Manchester United) – 9.1

Casemiro is having a stellar farewell season with Manchester United. During their Monday night clash against Brentford, he netted his ninth Premier League goal of the season, scoring his sixth goal from a corner. In addition to his scoring prowess, he excelled defensively, winning 13 ground duels and making four tackles – a performance that showcased his invaluable contributions on the pitch.

Forwards:

Kang-In Lee (PSG) – 9.2

Building on Beraldo’s impressive performance, Kang-In Lee was a constant threat during PSG’s win over Angers. He opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match and ended his stellar outing with an assist for Beraldo’s goal.

Gauthier Hein (Metz) – 9.2

Hein played a pivotal role in Metz’s exhilarating 4-4 draw with Le Havre, providing the assist for the early equaliser and converting a penalty just before half-time. In a stunning finale, he netted his second for the day to level the match late on.

Roman Yaremchuk (Lyon) – 8.9

Yaremchuk had a decisive impact for Lyon against Auxerre, scoring two goals from just three shots, propelling his side closer to Champions League qualification.

Umut Bozok (Eyupspor) – 9.4

Contributing significantly to Eyupspor’s 3-0 victory over Gaziantep, Bozok found the net and supplied two assists, demonstrating his offensive capabilities. His efforts were crucial in lifting Eyupspor out of the relegation zone, offering a substantial boost to their survival chances.