There were some high-scoring performances over Europe last weekend, with the Bundesliga particularly standing out. Both Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen hit five past their opponents and it’s perhaps no surprise to see a number of their players in the WhoScored All Star XI. Man City’s great start to the Premier League season also sees a couple of their players make the side, with a re-invigorated Edin Dzeko finally looking like the player snapped up from Wolfsburg last season. Here are some of the key performers from last weekend under the spotlight:
Defence
Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea. WhoScored rating 8.34
Jose Bosingwa was key to Chelsea’s 2-1 win over West Brom. The right-back continued his rise to prominence under new boss Andre Villas-Boas with a man of the match performance at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening. Bosingwa had 121 touches, most of any player on the pitch, and made 75 passes, second only to John Obi-Mikel.
His forages down the right flank saw Bosingwa make 11 crosses and 2 dribbles as he took the game to Roy Hodgson’s side, and he also made 4 key passes, including the assist for Malouda’s winner. The Portuguese player also had an 83% pass accuracy and helped out defensively with 4 tackles and 1 clearance for a WhoScored rating of 8.34.
Daniel Van Buyten, Bayern Munich. WhoScored rating 9.25
Daniel Van Buyten played a significant role in Bayern Munich’s 5-0 demolition of Hamburger SV. The big centre-half opened the scoring in the 13th minute and also grabbed an assist in the Allianz Arena rout. Van Buyten played 68 passes with an 84% accuracy and managed 1 key pass over his 90 minutes.
At the back, he was supreme- 2 tackles, 5 interceptions and 6 clearances, in addition to winning 100% of aerial duels, helped Jupp Heynckes’ side chalk up a clean sheet in a win that moved them up to third in the Bundesliga table. Van Buyten picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 9.25 for a commanding performance at both ends of the pitch.
Midfield
Marko Marin, Werder Bremen. WhoScored rating 9.64
The playmaker was outstanding as his side beat Freiburg at home in an eight-goal thriller. Pulling the strings from behind a front two, Marin picked up 3 assists as Bremen scored 5 goals for the second league match in a row. He had 83 touches, second of any home player, as Bremen looked to get him on the ball as much as possible.
Marin made 16 crosses over the ninety minutes and had 2 successful dribbles as he troubled the visitors from the first minute to the last. His distribution was impressive; he had an 83% pass accuracy and also made an incredible 7 key passes, highlighting his ability to set up chances for his team mates. Freiburg were clearly frustrated by his tormenting and fouled Marin 3 times but it did not deter him from putting in a top-notch performance and picking up a WhoScored.com rating of 9.64.
Forward
Edin Dzeko, Manchester City, WhoScored rating 8.04
The Bosnian’s goal just after half-time proved to be the winner at the Reebok on Sunday. City’s 3-2 win over Bolton propelled them to the top of the table and Dzeko played a crucial part in their victory. He had 2 shots, scoring the 1 goal, and made a fantastic 5 key passes (the same total as Tevez, Silva and Aguero combined), setting up chances aplenty for his City team mates. Dzeko also had 3 successful dribbles and, drifting out wide to create space, and made 2 crosses, both successful. A WhoScored.com rating of 8.04 is indicative of a return to form.
