European Team of the Week | 14-16 April

GK: Oliver Baumann (Turn-und Sportgemeinschaft 1899 Hoffenheim)

So often, falling back on experienced heads in the midst of possible calamity is a road heavily traveled in football, but when it comes to Hoffenheim at the weekend, it paid off in spades when veteran keeper Oliver Baumann produced an excellent display to earn the club a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich.

Bayern and Hoffenheim have the 3 most experienced goalkeepers in the league: Manuel Neuer (478 games), Oliver Baumann (420) and Yann Sommer (284). #FCBTSG pic.twitter.com/aubLwomQHG

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 15, 2023

RB: Kenny Lala (Stade Brestois 29)

Veteran 31-year-old defender Kenny Lala was one of the real difference at the weekend for Stade Brestois during their huge 1-0 win against OGC Nice which saw them remain outside of the bottom three, with Lala providing the assist in the games only goal while comporting himself rather well defensively.

𝗝𝗲́𝗿𝗲́𝗺𝘆 𝗟𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻, maître des airs ! #SB29OGCN 1⃣-0⃣ pic.twitter.com/ShLHlcsMEs

— Stade Brestois 29 (@SB29) April 17, 2023

RCB: Luca Caldirola (Associazione Calcio Monza)

Former Inter Milan Primavera captain Luca Caldirola was at it again this season in Monza colors as a key contributor for the club in their giant-killing efforts against the Serie A giants, with his goal at the weekend sealing all three points months after he was involved in a late equalizer against his former employers.

Monza’s Luca Caldirola vs Inter this season:

⚽ Jan 7 – Header lead to Dumfries 93′ game tying own goal
⚽ Apr 15 – Scored game winning goal

Caldirola was brought up in Inter’s youth system and captained their primavera side. pic.twitter.com/GAP68eU3EG

— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) April 15, 2023

LCB: Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais Football Club)

Belgian international center-back Arthur Theate did well to get in on the action in front of goal at the weekend to support compatriot Jérémy Doku’s brace with a strike of his own across a very good outing in the heart of Rennes’ back line on both sides of the ball.

9′ Jéremy Doku 1️⃣-0️⃣
19′ Jéremy Doku 2️⃣-0️⃣
68′ Arthur Theate 3️⃣-0️⃣

🇧🇪 The Belgian duo destroying Stade de Reims!#Ligue1UberEats #SGFCSDR pic.twitter.com/qGeGQTnPYE

— bwin Belgium (@bwinBE) April 15, 2023

LB: Juan Miranda (Real Betis Balompié)

Real Betis’ charge to a possible Champions League for the first time since the 2005-06 season remains on course after a 3-1 win over Espanyol at the weekend, with veteran defender Juan Miranda chipping in on the scoresheet during a fantastic all-around performance in Andalusia.

+3 y a seguir!!! Vamos!!! Todos juntos 💚💪🏼 @RealBetis pic.twitter.com/IU4czQ8khk

— Juan Miranda (@JMirandaG19) April 16, 2023

DM: Oriol Romeu (Girona Futbol Club)

Oriol Romeu scores for Girona to make it 2-0 against Elche.

Honestly, what a signing he has been. He has provided a bit of guile and toughness in their midfield, and have allowed for their attacking players to move forward.

He’s a sleeper for “team of the season”.

— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) April 16, 2023

Former Chelsea and Southampton holding midfielder Oriol Romeu got himself on the scoresheet at the weekend during Girona’s 2-0 win over bottom-dwellers Elche, while also putting in four tackles and four clearances in a very good performance in the hole between midfield and defense.

RCM: Oliver Abildgaard (Hellas Verona)

Oliver Abildgaard started his first Serie A match yesterday as Hellas Verona drew with Napoli.

He was Verona’s best player alongside Isak Hien, according to @FotMob.#HVFC #DaiVerona #SerieATIM #NapoliVerona pic.twitter.com/QygCxuKTZX

— Danish Scout (@DanishScout_) April 16, 2023

LCM: Edoardo Bove (Associazione Sportiva Roma)

Young Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove bagged a goal during a critical 3-0 win for José Mourinho’s capital side who remain on the hunt for Champions League football next season, with the 20-year-old midfielder completing 90-minutes and looking bright as a key attacking outlet.

💬 “It was crucial to win, especially as we’re fighting for a Champions League spot.”

🎙️ Goalscorer Edoardo Bove on the importance of yesterday’s victory over Udinese! 💪#ASRoma #RomaUdinese

pic.twitter.com/yDM2mhV7Dr

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 17, 2023

RW: Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club)

Athletic Club icon Iñaki Williams was at the center of it all once again in Basque country when Bilbao secured a 2-0 win over bitter rivals Real Sociedad on Saturday, bagging both goals while extending his goalscoring streak to three consecutive La Liga fixtures. Sublime, as always.

❤️🤍 Athletic Club come out on top in the Basque derby: Iñaki Williams (28) with a brace to win the game! @willliamsssnico ⚡️ @Williaaams45 pic.twitter.com/OpbrZuvr6G

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 15, 2023

LW: Jérémy Doku (Stade Rennais Football Club)

Stade Rennais’s chances of securing European football next season received a massive boost at the weekend during a consummate 3-0 win over Will Still’s underdog Stade de Reims outfit in front of home support in Brittany, with Belgian international Jérémy Doku bagging a brace to lead the charge.

3 points + 2 goals but we’re not done yet… we keep pushing for Europe 🎯 pic.twitter.com/z7OuIhQoqU

— Jeremy Doku (@JeremyDoku) April 16, 2023

CF: Timo Werner (RasenBallsport Leipzig)

A three-minute double salvo from German international Timo Werner produced one of the goals of the season in the Bundesliga at the weekend during RBL’s 3-2 win over Augsburg in Saxony as the former Stuttgart man continues to look to rebuild his career after struggling at Chelsea.

TIMO WERNER WITH ONE OF THE GOALS OF THE SEASON 😱 pic.twitter.com/Al47vbHhpc

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 15, 2023