Madrid, 21 Feb. Goalkeeper David Soria (Getafe); defenders Emerson Royal (Tottenham), Florian Lejeune (Rayo Vallecano) and Reinildo Mandava (Atlético de Madrid); midfielder Jorginho (Arsenal); midfielders Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint Germain) and Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid); and strikers Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) make up the XI in Europe’s top five leagues for their decisive impact on the results of their respective teams.
– GOALKEEPER (1):
– David Soria (ESP/Getafe): For the umpteenth time it was decisive for Getafe, who he supported with his saves with 0-0 on the scoreboard to secure the precious 1-0 victory against Valencia, a direct rival for tenure. It was the first victory of 2023 for the azulón team, coming out of relegation. At minute 9, his left hand denied Lino the 0-1, which was also repelled by his whiplash moments later. In 47 he did it against Kluivert.
– DEFENSES (3):
– Emerson Royal (BRA / Tottenham): The connection between the two Tottenham wingers opened their reunion with victory. Defeated by Milan in the Champions League and embarrassingly choked by Leicester (4-1) on the eve of the Premier League, Antonio Conte’s side resurfaced after Emerson Royal’s 1-0 loss to West Ham, beaten 2-0. The team claims against the competition of Pedro Porro, winter signing.
– Florian Lejeune (FRA / Rayo Vallecano): His fourth goal of the season allowed Rayo Vallecano to recover a point against Sevilla (1-1) to chain the fourth unbeaten day of the group of Andoni Iraola, who lost view the possibility of the Champions Liga, seven points behind Atlético de Madrid, fourth, but which remains in the fight for Europe. In the 65th minute, he headed in the equalizer from an Isi Palazón corner.
– Reinildo Mandava (MOZ/Atlético de Madrid): “Admiration, because it’s not easy to defend. You have to have intuition, aggressiveness, strength, security… And he does all extraordinarily well,” Diego Simeone said of the Mozambican full-back, a defensive specialist who was a rock against Athletic Club. He didn’t score the winning goal, but he was equally or even more responsible for the victory, with two cups. He won 87% of his defensive duels, according to advanced stats from ‘Be Soccer Pro’.
– MIDDLE CENTER (1):
– Jorginho (ITA / Arsenal): Twice behind on the scoreboard against Aston Villa, Arsenal regained the lead of the “Premier” with a 2-4 victory, with the decisive 2-3 lead caused by the midfielder signed Chelsea in this winter market. Starting in the second game in a row in Mikel Arteta’s scheme, in the 93rd minute he hit a right hand that hit the crossbar, then Dibu Martínez and it was a goal.
– HALF POINTS (3):
– Jonas Hofmann (ALE/Borussia Moenchengladbach): Benefiting from the results of the others, Bayern Munich retained the lead in the Bundesliga, with the same points as Borussia Dortmund and Unión Berlin, despite their defeat against Gladbach and Hofmann, an element essential in the three goals of his team (3-2). In the first as a launcher of the strategic action, in the second as a counter-attack marker and in the third as an assistant.
– Lionel Messi (ARG / Paris Saint Germain): At the gates of the clash against Marseille, PSG have a five-point lead in Ligue 1 over this rival, after dodging another setback in their duel against Lille, which they beat 4-3, with the decisive goal of the Argentine world champion in the 94th minute. , with the exact pot at the right time.
– Antoine Griezmann (FRA / Atlético de Madrid): His continuity last summer is in doubt, especially in the management of Atlético de Madrid, he is the undisputed and indisputable leader of the Rojiblanco team. A formidable footballer, in top form and at one time unstoppable. With the score 0-0 against Athletic, at minute 73, in six seconds and five touches, his run from midfield, his drive and his finish against Julen Agirrezabala was worth three points for Simeone’s group. Mark the difference.
– FRONT (3):
– Ferran Torres (ESP/Barcelona): “He played one of his best games,” remarked Xavi, who gave him the title five games later. “I work to show my football. It’s true that I was at a time with few minutes in the team. Sometimes it’s difficult to show everything you want because of the pressure,” added Ferran himself, overflowing, daring, decisive and justified. in the leader’s 2-0 win over Cadiz to maintain the eight-point difference at the top of the LaLiga Santander table.
– Marcus Rashford (ANG / Manchester United): There are already 24 goals in 36 games for the United striker, who has lost only one of his last 17 games in all competitions, with 16 goals and 4 assists decisive Rashford. He also scored in each of their last five outings and netted two of three as his side beat Leicester 3-0 to remain third, three points behind City and five behind Arsenal.
– Vinicius Junior (BRA / Real Madrid): His overflow and his dribbling kept the Osasuna defense under control. It is true that he lacked efficiency in his chances, also that, in front, he had a goalkeeper who guessed all his intentions, Sergio Herrera, as he solved the match in one of his internees on the left wing, when he spotted the right pass, at the right time, for the arrival of Valverde. It was 0-1. It was minute 78. The White team are still alive in the League, eight points behind Barcelona.