Our UEFA Europa League Team of the Week is set after a lively round of knockout ties. Real Betis and Sporting Braga both cruise into the headlines with big wins and multiple standouts, while Freiburg also stack the list after a 5-1 statement. The XI lines up in a 3-2-4-1, built on a goalkeeper masterclass, a commanding back three, and attackers who made chances at will. As always, selections are powered by Sofascore’s live data and Sofascore Rating.
Goalkeeper owned the spotlight
Elías Ólafsson earns the gloves with a Sofascore Rating 9.1 after a 120-minute tie that went to penalties against Nottingham Forest. He made 7 saves, including 4 from shots inside the box, and posted 19 ball recoveries. It was a complete performance with 66 touches and 32 accurate passes, the kind that kept his side in a marathon knockout match until the shootout.
Back three built on impact
Matthias Ginter topped the defenders with a 9.0 after a goal and an assist in the 5-1 win over Genk. He won 5 aerials, made 6 clearances and completed 42 of 49 passes.
Nikola Milenković delivered on both ends with an assist, 9 duels won, 2 interceptions and 3 clearances in 61 minutes, good for a 7.6.
Natan anchored a clean sheet in the 4-0 win over Panathinaikos, completing 65 of 71 passes, making 9 clearances and 3 interceptions, and winning 8 duels for a 7.6.
Engines in midfield, end product included
Florian Grillitsch put up a goal and an assist in the 4-0 victory over Ferencváros. He was tidy and aggressive in the middle, completing 50 of 55 passes with 4 tackles and an 8.3.
Lorenzo Pellegrini filled the stat sheet in a 3-4 AET battle with Bologna. He had a goal, an assist, 6 shots, 3 key passes and even hit the woodwork once, earning an 8.5.
Attacking line was ruthless
Antony headlined the round with a Sofascore Rating 9.1 in the 4-0 win over Panathinaikos. He scored, fired 6 shots, created 4 chances, won 8 duels and produced 9 progressive carries.
Yuito Suzuki joined the party with a goal, an assist, 3 key passes and 3 aerials won for an 8.4 against Genk.
Rodrigo Zalazar was a creative engine, supplying an assist, 2 key passes and a team-high expected assists figure for an 8.3 in the 4-0 win.
Ricardo Horta led the line with a brace from 3 shots and an 8.7.
Aitor Ruibal rounded out the XI as a difference-maker in 62 minutes, scoring, assisting and completing all 13 of his passes for an 8.0.
Club notes and numbers to remember
– Real Betis and Sporting Braga each place three players in the Team of the Week after 4-0 wins.
– SC Freiburg add two names off a 5-1 performance.
– Seven different players recorded a goal contribution, and three posted a Sofascore Rating of 9.0 or higher.
Track all Europa League matches, player ratings and live momentum on Sofascore throughout the knockout stage.