Euro 2012 Team of the Week: Cristiano Ronaldo makes debut as Pique & Iniesta return

Apr 6, 2012 9:00:00 AM

Each week, Goal.com selects the standout performers from Europe's top leagues, honouring the best players eligible for Euro 2012

Euro 2012

Team of the Week

EURO 2012 NEWS

GOALKEEPER

Manuel NEUER
Bayern
& Germany
TOTW Apps: 1

Germany international Neuer had a few lapses in concentration at the weekend during Bayern's 1-0 victory against Nurnberg, but he redeemed himself just three days later, producing a fine display against Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League to help his side to a 2-0 second-leg win.

DEFENDERS

Andrea BARZAGLI Juventus & Italy TOTW Apps: 1	Adil RAMI Valencia & France TOTW Apps: 2	Gerard PIQUE Barcelona & Spain TOTW Apps: 2
Barzagli makes his first entrance into our Best XI after impressing in Juventus' 3-0 victory against Napoli. The 30-year-old defender played a part to set up Leonardo Bonucci's goal and was very solid in his defensive duties to help the Bianconeri secure an important win. France international Rami was the Man of the Match in Valencia's 4-0 Europa League thrashing of AZ, scoring two quickfire goals in the opening 20 minutes and displaying some rock-solid defensive work to help preserve a clean sheet. Spain centre-back Pique returns to the fold after featuring in the roster last week as a result of a world-class display in the 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao. He cleared a Muniain shot off the line with a sliding tackle, played the ball forward from the back and almost scored a goal. Was not nearly as impressive against AC Milan in midweek, but his performance against Bilbao alone is enough to see him get the nod.

MIDFIELDERS

Damien DUFF Fulham & Ireland TOTW Apps: 1	Andres INIESTA Barcelona & Spain TOTW Apps: 2	R. VAN DER VAART Tottenham & Netherlands TOTW Apps: 1	Oleksandr ALIYEV Dinamo Kiev & Ukraine TOTW Apps: 1
Fulham veteran Duff has formed a solid partnership with Stephen Kelly on the right, and the 33-year-old winger raised eyebrows in the 2-1 victory over Norwich City, scoring his side's second goal of the match. Spain international Iniesta took over responsibility of orchestrating Barcelona's attacking play against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend in the absence of Xavi and scored the Blaugrana's first goal of the night. He built on that performance with another dazzling showing in the 3-1 victory against AC Milan, helping put the continental tie beyond the Italians as he bagged the club's third goal. Tottenham star Van der Vaart netted for the first time in 2012 in the club's 3-1 victory against Swansea and also assisted Emmanuel Adebayor in the Togolese's first goal of the match. Was replaced towards the end of the game and received a standing ovation from the Spurs' fans. Dinamo Kiev midfielder Aliyev exhibited his passing qualities in the 3-1 win over Chornomorets on Sunday, and rounded off an impressive display with a goal of his own from a well-placed free kick.

FORWARDS

Cristiano RONALDO Real Madrid & Portugal TOTW Apps: 1	Fernando TORRES Chelsea & Spain TOTW Apps: 1	Ivica OLIC Bayern & Croatia TOTW Apps: 1
Real Madrid ace Ronaldo confirmed his excellent run of form over the last seven days with two excellent displays. First, he scored twice and grabbed a pair of assists in the 5-1 thrashing of Osasuna at the weekend. Four days later, he added two more goals in the 5-2 victory over APOEL to take his tally in the Champions League to eight. Torres showed last weekend that he is gradually returning to his best form as he scored Chelsea's last goal in the 4-2 victory at Aston Villa and was involved in two others. The Spaniard did not look as sharp against Benfica in midweek, but still combined well with his attacking team-mates. Croatia international Olic has been a bit-part player at Bayern Munich this season, but he made the most of his rare start in the 2-0 victory against Marseille by picking up a double. He has only scored four goals in 2011-12, but showed against the French side that he can be a viable alternative to Mario Gomez.

TOTAL NOMINEES BY COUNTRY (THIS WEEK)
Spain 9 (3) France 8 (1) Netherlands 6 (1) Italy 5 (1) Germany 5 (1) Poland 4 (0) England 3 (0)	Ireland 3 (1) Greece 2 (0) Ukraine 2 (1) Portugal 1 (1) Croatia 1 (1) Russia 1 (0)

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