Team of the Week: Osimhen and Fernandes Shine Bright as Paixao Delivers Memorable Performance

With Igor Paixao registering five goal contributions and Victor Osimhen delivering a hat-trick for Galatasaray, numerous players shone brightly in the realm of football this week. But who has earned a spot in our top XI?

Presenting our Team of the Week:

Goalkeeper

Peter Gulacsi (RB Leipzig) – 8.7

At 34, Peter Gulacsi continues to showcase his skills as RB Leipzig’s goalkeeper in the Bundesliga, turning in an excellent performance that kept Borussia Dortmund at bay as his team triumphed 2-0.

The Hungarian shot-stopper was in commanding form, making nine saves out of nine attempts and denying Dortmund a goal, despite the visitors posting an impressive expected goals (xG) of 3.06, as per Opta’s statistics.

Defence

Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas) – 9.0

Despite a disappointing weekend for Besiktas, losing 1-0 to a Konyaspor team reduced to nine men, left-back Arthur Masuaku provided a beacon of hope.

The DR Congo international was a constant threat down the left flank, delivering powerful shots and precise crosses, although his teammates failed to convert his set-ups into goals.

Walker Zimmerman (Nashville) – 9.0

In MLS, Walker Zimmerman played a crucial role in Nashville’s 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union, securing their second win of the season.

The centre-back delivered a well-placed diagonal ball to Sam Surridge, assisting the goal. At the back, he demonstrated his defensive prowess with an incredible 23 clearances and two interceptions, successfully completing all his tackles.

Patrick Mainka (Heidenheim) – 8.6

Facing Holstein Kiel in a crucial Bundesliga relegation battle, Heidenheim emerged victorious, thanks in part to captain Patrick Mainka’s stellar performance.

Mainka excelled in defence, making 11 interceptions and providing an assist. While Heidenheim still lingers six points from safety, this first win in nine matches should bolster morale.

Adryelson (Anderlecht) – 8.8

In Belgium, Anderlecht put in a solid display, defeating Cercle Brugge 3-0 in what was the final match of the season before the league’s split, maintaining their hopes for European qualification and relegating their opponents in the process.

Brazilian defender Adryelson made significant contributions both in attack and defence, scoring the second goal for his side while also performing admirably in his defensive duties.

Midfield

Igor Paixao (Feyenoord) – 9.7

Paixao’s exceptional performance this weekend was highlighted by his role in Feyenoord’s 6-2 victory over FC Twente.

The Brazilian was unstoppable, netting a hat-trick and assisting two goals—outdoing his contributions for the entire season in just one game. His standout moment was his first goal, a stunning strike into the top corner that left the goalkeeper helpless.

Alassane Plea (Borussia Monchengladbach) – 8.8

Switching gears to another hat-trick hero, Plea emerged as the decisive player for Borussia Monchengladbach, who claimed a 4-2 win against Werder Bremen.

The French forward was clinical, converting three out of his four shots and creating two scoring opportunities, including one assist.

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 9.1

After facing criticism from former captain Roy Keane regarding his conduct on the pitch, Bruno Fernandes silenced his detractors with a sensational performance against Leicester City.

Fernandes excelled with one goal and two assists in the 3-0 triumph, demonstrating his playmaking skills by completing the most passes and touches in the match. His defensive contributions also stood out, with a tackle success rate of 75% showcasing a comprehensive display.

Manchester United will hope to see more performances like this as they seek to recover from a challenging season.

Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) – 8.7

Nottingham Forest advanced their bid for a Champions League spot with a 4-2 win over struggling Ipswich Town, with Elanga playing a key role.

The winger lit up the match, netting a brace within just four minutes before the interval, helping to put the game within reach. In addition to his two goals, he also won three out of six duels and contributed defensively with a couple of successful tackles.

Forwards

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) – 9.0

Maintaining his scoring form, Osimhen scored a hat-trick for undefeated Galatasaray in a comfortable 4-0 victory over Antalyaspor.

The Napoli loanee opened the scoring in the 30th minute after a clever exchange with Alvaro Morata before adding two more before the final whistle. Although his goals appeared straightforward, Osimhen’s increasing confidence has him making finishing look effortless in Istanbul.

Luuk de Jong (PSV) – 8.3

After enduring a devastating 9-2 aggregate exit to Arsenal in the Champions League midweek, PSV rebounded to record a 3-0 victory over Waalwijk, reducing the gap to six points behind Eredivisie rivals Ajax.

In their first away win of 2025, Luuk de Jong proved instrumental, contributing two crucial goals—first assisting Ivan Perisic for the opening goal and later scoring himself with a precise header to cap off the scoring.