The weekend action across Spain, Germany, and Italy provided numerous talking points as well as moments of magic that continue to capture the hearts and minds of fans across the continent in the wake of club football’s official return in the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
From numerous goal fests in the Bundesliga, to Nigerian goalscoring influence in Serie A, and a former Premier League back-up keeper providing another heroic performance in La Liga, 101 Great Goals picks out the best XI from across Europe’s top club competitions.
GK: Paulo Gazzaniga (Girona Futbol Club)
On loan Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga is enjoying first-choice minutes at La Liga outfit Girona during 2022-23 as the Argentine has produced numerous top-class performances, with perhaps none better than this weekend. Eight saves, and a penalty stop, was a fantastic effort despite the 1-0 loss.
RCB: Éder Militão (Real Madrid Club de Fútbol)
Real Madrid persisted in their attempts to keep pace with table-topping and bitter rivals Barcelona this weekend with a 2-0 away win against Athletic Club, with Éder Militão once again proving to be sensational at the back with 3 interceptions, 6 clearances, and 3 aerial duels won. Rock.
CB: Micky van de Ven (VfL Wolfsburg)
21-year-old Dutch youth international defender Micky van de Ven has become a key figure at Volkswagen Arena this season under Niko Kovač and his performance at the weekend in the club’s 6-0 drubbing of high-flying Freiburg showed why the former Bayern Munich manager continues to keep faith in the youngster.
LCB: Danilho Doekhi (1. FC Union Berlin)
A brace from Dutch center-back Danilho Doekhi helped see Union Berlin begin the Rückrunde as the Bundesliga returned to action at the weekend with a 3-1 win over visiting Hoffenheim in the capital to take the club up to 3rd in the table while remaining in the race for Champions League football.
RWB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli)
SSC Napoli’s phenomenal run at the top of Serie A this season continued at the weekend with a consummate 2-0 away win against minnows Salernitana, and though headline striker Victor Osimhen netted again, club captain and right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo produced a man-of-the-match performance that included the match-winning goal on the stroke of half-time.
LWB: Diego Rico (Real Sociedad de Fútbol)
Real Sociedad’s sensational 2022-23 La Liga campaign continued with a 2-0 away win at Rayo Vallecano to keep them sitting 3rd in the table, with Diego Rico’s defensive efforts at left-back proving vital once again during a season of redemption for the former Bournemouth defender.
CM: Ellyes Skhiri (1. FC Köln)
Tunisian international attacking midfielder Ellyes Skhiri is one of two Köln players to feature in the TOTW here after the former Montpellier academy product chimed in with two goals and an assist during a superb performance in Köln’s massive win over Werder Bremen.
CM: Antoine Griezmann (Club Atlético de Madrid)
French star Antoine Griezmann continues to produce the goods for Spanish giants Atlético Madrid after his return to the capital in the wake of his stint with Barcelona with another sensational and influential performance for Diego Simeone’s men. Two assists highlighted a fantastic Man of the Match display.
RW: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta Bergamo)
Former Premier League starlet Ademola Lookman continues his career resurgence in Bergamo with neutral favorite Atalanta in stunning fashion this season in Serie A, with his brace against Juventus seeing him climb into sole possession of second in the goal chart (11) behind compatriot Victor Osimhen.
LW: Paulo Dybala (Associazione Sportiva Roma)
Argentine international and World Cup winner Paulo Dybala has done himself a world of good swapping Turin for Rome as the former Palermo starlet has resurrected his own career at the Stadio Olimpico this season, with a brace of assists proving decisive in Roma’s 2-0 away win at Spezia.
CF: Steffen Tigges (1. FC Köln)
Steffen Baumgart’s Köln produced one of the headline results of the entire weekend across Europe’s top leagues with a 7-1 demolition job on Werder Bremen at the RheinEnergieStadion, with striker Steffen Tigges bagging a brace - including a goal from 47-meters - and an assist to leave his mark on a night of celebration along the Rhine.
