“`html
Europa League Team of the Round: Antony Leads Betis Triple-Up, Costa Stars for Porto
The UEFA Europa League round of 16 has set the stage for a series of thrilling clashes, showcasing some of the tournament’s elite players who have made significant contributions to their teams. Leveraging our proprietary ratings system, we highlight the standout performers who played at least 60 minutes across both legs of the matches.
Team of the Round Overview
This week’s Team of the Round features a goalkeeper and a robust defense, complemented by skillful midfielders and an attacking line that produced remarkable results during this knockout phase.
Goalkeeper
Diogo Costa (Porto) 8.2 – The Portuguese keeper showcased his remarkable talent by making an impressive 12 saves in two matches, helping Porto secure their place in the quarter-finals with a clean sheet against Stuttgart.
Defense Squad
Zakaria El Ouahdi (Genk) 8.6 – Despite Genk’s defeat, El Ouahdi scored the first leg’s only goal for his team but missed the return leg due to a yellow card.
Marc Bartra (Real Betis) 7.9 – Bartra’s experience was crucial as he helped Betis come back from a first-leg deficit against Panathinaikos, making nine clearances and achieving a 90% pass success rate.
Daniele Ghilardi (Roma) 7.6 – Ghilardi stood out in a close match against Bologna, contributing significantly with key defensive plays despite Roma’s eventual exit from the tournament.
Midfield Dominance
Antony (Real Betis) 7.9 – The Brazilian winger excelled in the decisive match against Panathinaikos, winning duels and scoring, affirming his role as a key player for Betis.
Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma) 8.2 – Coming off the bench, Pellegrini made a substantial impact by scoring and assisting in crucial moments of the match against Bologna.
James McAtee (Nottingham Forest) 7.9 – McAtee capitalized on his rare starting opportunity by providing an assist and maintaining high passing efficiency during his match.
Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) 7.9 – Ezzalzouli consistently threatened the opposition, assisting Antony and contributing significantly to Betis’s overwhelming victory.
Attack Lineup
Konstantinos Karetsas (Genk) 7.8 – Despite his team’s aggregate loss, Karetsas caught attention with his assist and overall performance, hinting at a bright future ahead.
Ricardo Horta (Braga) 7.9 – Horta played a pivotal role in Braga’s comeback, scoring twice and demonstrating technical skill in a must-win home match.
Federico Bernardeschi (Bologna) 7.8 – The former Juventus player delivered impactful performances, netting crucial goals to help eliminate Roma from the tournament.
Follow the Europa League with Flashscore
Keen football fans can stay updated with the latest happenings in the UEFA Europa League through Flashscore’s comprehensive coverage and live updates.
“`