OneFootball
Richard Buxton·25 September 2023
OneFootball
Richard Buxton·25 September 2023
We were treated to a weekend of star performances but who impressed most across the continent to make our team of the weekend?
United’s marquee summer signing hit the headlines for a howler in their Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. But Onana fully redeemed himself with a series of vital saves to earn Erik ten Hag’s side a gritty win over Burnley.
The Spanish champions looked dead and buried against Celta Vigo at two goals down with nine minutes remaining. Their incredible comeback was largely indebted to Cancelo’s assist and deft winner to maintain an unbeaten start to the season.
Only goal difference separates Leverkusen from Bayern Munich at the Bundesliga’s summit with Kossounou helping keep things relatively tight for a 4-1 win over Heidenheim.
Milan were largely unconvincing in a dogged 1-0 win over Verona on Saturday but Tomori proved a standout as Stefano Pioli’s side put their recent derby humiliation behind them.
With Juventus stuttering and Napoli in post-Scudetto freefall, Inter took another step towards reclaiming Serie A’s crown at Empoli courtesy of Dimarco’s long-range rocket.
Any number of Newcastle players could have been included after their 8-0 hammering of Sheffield United but Guimarães was their conductor in chief. Not only did the Brazil international provide a goal and assist at Bramall Lane, he also made four key passes and won eight combined duels.
PSG’s comprehensive Le Classique win over Marseille on Sunday was thanks in no small part to Ugarte’s masterful display in the engine room. A return of 14 recoveries and five interceptions allowed the French champions’ prodigious attack to take centre-stage in their four-goal rout.
Girona temporarily assumed top spot in LaLiga on Saturday with a 5-3 win over Mallorca with Sávio scoring in successive outings. Still only 19, the Troyes loanee has been integral to the Catalans’ surprising early-season ascent.
Son had warned Arsenal that they wouldn’t want to face Tottenham in the latest North London Derby and was proven right with a brace in Sunday’s 2-2 draw which took his tally for Ange Postecoglou’s side to 150 goals.
Bayern’s new record signing continues to surpass expectations with a hat-trick and two assists in his latest outing against Bochum. Kane also took the crown for the Bundesliga champions’ most prolific start with his sixth goal in five games eclipsing Gerd Müller, Mirsoslav Klose and Mario Mandžukić.
Morata’s evolution from figure of fun back to lethal marksman went up a level in Atlético’s resounding Madrid derby win, heading home in the fourth minute before adding a second later on which killed off any hopes of Carlo Ancelotti’s side staging a fightback.