Salzburg hitman leads the way in Europa League best XI

Thursday signalled the end of the Europa League group stages with the last-32 now set. Here, we run through our team of group stages using our unique rating system… 

Goalkeeper - Andre Hansen (Rosenborg) 7.40 rating 

Rosenborg may have struggled to impose themselves in a tough Europa League group, but it could’ve been significantly worse for the Norwegian side had Andre Hansen not gone above and beyond. The goalkeeper made more saves (40) than any other shotstopper in the group stages to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.40. 

Right-back - Joakim Maehle (Genk) 7.48 rating 

The first of two Genk players to make the cut, 21-year-old right-back Joakim Maehle impressed as the Belgian side secured their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League. The Dane registered three assists in the group stages, no defender provided more, as he pressed forward well, averaging 1.5 key passes and 2.5 successful dribbles per game to land a WhoScored rating of 7.48. 

Centre-back - Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Slavia Prague) 7.54 rating 

Slavia Prague secured their place in the last-32 with a 2-0 win over Zenit in gameweek six, that guaranteeing their fourth clean sheet in six matches. Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjeu played all six matches as he returned a WhoScored rating of 7.54 for a Slavia Prague side that shipped just three goals. 2.3 tackles, 2.7 interceptions and five clearances per game capped off a commendable showing from the Cameroonian. 

Centre-back - Sidnei (Real Betis) 7.42 rating 

Partnering the 28-year-old at the heart of the defence is Sidnei, who is the first of two Real Betis players in his XI. The Brazilian was on hand to ensure the La Liga side topped what could have been a banana skin of a group having pipped Olympiacos and AC Milan to first. With a WhoScored rating of 7.42, Sidnei is good value for his place in the best-rated side as he made 2.4 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and three clearances per game. 

Left-back - Marcos Acuna (Sporting) 7.59 rating 

Rounding off the backline is Sporting’s Marcos Acuna. The 27-year-old gained a WhoScored rating of 7.59 the Portuguese side’s successful progression to the next round of the Europa League as he made the second most tackles per game (4.6) in the group stages to reinforce a strength of ‘tackling’. He pressed forward well, too, as returns of one key pass and two successful dribbles per game suggests. 

Right midfield - Viktor Tsygankov (Dynamo Kyiv) 7.68 rating 

Occupying the right flank is Dynamo Kyiv youngster Viktor Tsygankov, whose good form helped the Ukrainian side top group K. Indeed, the 21-year-old scored two and assisted three from averages of 1.8 shots and 3.4 key passes per game, the latter the third best return in the group stages. It was a successful group stage campaign for the wideman, who secured a WhoScored rating of 7.68 as a result. 

Centre midfield - Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis) 7.84 rating 

Real Betis’ second representative comes in the form of Giovani Lo Celso, who landed a WhoScored rating of 7.84 in their progression. From his five outings, the Argentine scored three and assisted one, while notable returns of 3.8 tackles and one interception per game ensured that no team conceded fewer goals than Betis (2) in the group stages. 

Centre midfield - Ever Banega (Sevilla) 7.77 rating 

It’s an all-Seville midfield partnership as Ever Banega partners Lo Celso in the middle of the park. The Argentine chipped in with three key passes per game, that the third best return in the group stages, while only two players scored more goals than Banega (4). Sevilla may have twice lost in their group stage campaign, but Banega was far and away their best player as he gained a WhoScored rating of 7.77. 

Left midfield - Leandro Tossard (Genk) 7.90 rating 

A key reason for Genk’s progression was the performances of Leandro Tossard, who scored two and assisted one for the Belgian outfit. On top of that, Tossard, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, won the WhoScored man of the match award twice, no player won it more, with the 21-year-old winger’s solid performances returning a WhoScored rating of 7.90. 

Striker - Sebastien Haller (Eintracht Frankfurt) 7.93 rating 

Eintracht Frankfurt ended the group stages with a 100% record having won all six matches as only Sevila (18) netted more goals than the Bundesliga side (17). In-form frontman Sebastien Haller was hugely influential for Eintracht as he had a direct hand in six of their 17 goals, scoring three and assisting three. 2.2 shots, 1.7 key passes and 1.3 successful dribbles meant the Frenchman ended the group stages with a WhoScored rating of 7.93. 

Striker - Munas Dabbur (Salzburg) 8.05 rating 

Pipping Haller to top spot in the player ratings was Salzburg goalscoring machine Munas Dabbur. The 26-year-old had a direct hand in more goals (7) than any other player in the group stages as he hit the back of the net the most times (6). His six goals came from 26 shots, that also more than any other player, as the Israeli returned the best WhoScored rating (8.05) in the group stages.