Thursday 19 May 2016

The Europa league has been concluded yesterday night and Goal looks back at the best 11 players in the Europa League this season, including stars from champions Sevilla, runners up Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal, Shakhtar and Athletic...



SIMON MIGNOLET | Liverpool | He kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the Europa League this season. He might have conceded three goals in the final, but the Belgian wasn't the one to blame.

VICTOR RUIZ | Villarreal | The centre-back, 27, started all 14 of the Yellow Submarine's Europa League matches as they kept seven clean sheets – more than any other club in the competition this season.

DEJAN LOVREN | Liverpool | Memorably scored the last-minute winner in the classic quarter-final second-leg comeback against Dortmund. However, the Croatian centre-back's displays in defence throughout the tournament were just as impressive.

YAROSLAV RAKITSKIY | Shakhtar Donetsk | A constant top performer for the Ukrainian club. While helping Shakhtar keep three clean sheets between the last 32 and the semi-finals, the centre-back also bagged a goal and an assist.

COKE | Sevilla | He might be thought of more often as a right-back, but he earns a place in this midfield due to his matchwinning performance in the final. His two goals – the first of which was world class – sealed Sevilla's third Europa League win in a row.

PHILIPPE COUTINHO | Liverpool | Created 28 chances in the Reds' Europa League campaign - only two players in the competition did more. Scored crucial goals against Dortmund and Manchester United.

EVER BANEGA | Sevilla | The central midfielder pulled the strings in midfield for the Europa League holders throughout the knockout stages, missing only one match through suspension. Integral in the final as they bounced back from a sloppy first half to win 3-1.

DENIS SUAREZ | Villarreal | The left winger bagged seven assists – more than any other player in 2015-16 – for the Spanish club as they fought their way to the final four.

KEVIN GAMEIRO | Sevilla | The Frenchman's eight goals in nine knockout games were essential in propelling Unai Emery's men into their third straight Europa League final. A constant menace in the final and scored the equaliser, which changed the game early in the second half.

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG | Borussia Dortmund | His performances in the Europa League, in which he scored eight times this season, helped to cement his status as a world-class goalscorer. The highlight came in the last 16 against Tottenham, when he starred and scored in both legs.


ARITZ ADURIZ | Athletic | A stellar season for the 35-year-old Spaniard, which has resulted in a deserved spot at Euro 2016, was epitomised by his efforts in the Europa League. The striker top scored this season with 10 goals in 11 games, firing Athletic into the quarter-finals.

and here is the Europa League Team of the Tournament in full!

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