Team of the Week: Barella puts Inter on brink of title, Watkins gives Aston Villa huge win

Barella celebrates scoring for Inter
Barella celebrates scoring for InterMARCO LUZZANI / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP / Flashscore

With seasons entering their pivotal final rounds and World Cup selections on the horizon, players need to deliver the goods more than ever right now, and some high-profile stars, as well as some surprise packages, did just that over the weekend.

Based on Flashscore's internal ratings system, this is the best XI from the weekend action in the world's biggest leagues.

Team of the Week
Team of the WeekMarek Kratochvil / Flashscore

Goalkeeper

Finn Dahmen (Augsburg) - 9.1

Augsburg claimed a surprise 2-1 win away to Bayer Leverkusen to move into the top half of the Bundesliga, and goalkeeper Dahmen played a huge part in that.

The German saved nine of the 10 efforts on goal, ensuring Bayer scored just one despite amassing an xG of 3.80.

Bayer Leverkusen would've scored far more if not for Dahman
Bayer Leverkusen would've scored far more if not for DahmanOpta by StatsPerform

Defence

Guga (Fluminense) - 9.1

Fluminense right-back Guga was a creative force against Santos, setting up his side's last two goals as they came from 2-1 down to beat Santos 3-2.

They were two of the best assists of the weekend, too, pinpoint crosses placed perfectly into the paths of his teammates.

Ismaelo Ganiou (Lens) - 9.1

Lens staged a stunning comeback to keep their Ligue 1 title chances alive, fighting back from 2-0 down against Toulouse, and Ganiou was the hero of the night, heading in a 91st-minute winner.

He also won 12 duels and made three tackles, as well as two key passes, in what was a huge performance from him.

Stefan de Vrij (Inter) - 8.9

Dutch veteran De Vrij has spent most of his time on the bench at Inter this season, but stepped up when called upon at the weekend.

The 34-year-old didn't put a foot wrong at the back in a 3-0 win that moved the Nerazzurri to the brink of sealing the title, making five clearances and three interceptions, and winning two tackles and three headers.

De Vrij's defensive actions against Cagliari
De Vrij's defensive actions against CagliariOpta by StatsPerform

Midfield

Saud Abdulhamid (Lens) - 9.2

Wing-back Abdulhamid was Lens' other star man in their huge win over Toulouse, playing a crucial role at both ends of the pitch.

On top of kickstarting the comeback with a header, he also won six of his nine duels and wasn't dribbled past once.

Abdulhamid's heat map vs Toulouse
Abdulhamid's heat map vs ToulouseOpta by StatsPerform / Stephanie Lecocq / Reuters

Nicolo Barella (Inter) - 9.1

Barella scored his second goal of the month in Inter's 3-0 win over Cagliari, picking up a loose ball and firing in from the edge of the box.

He did far more than just that, too, winning six duels and dictating the game with 91 touches of the ball, the second most of anyone on the pitch.

Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders) - 9.1

Seattle Sounders veteran Roldan is showing no signs of slowing down, with the 30-year-old beginning his 10th year with the club with a bang.

After getting two assists in continental action in mid-week, he scored two goals against St Louis City in his side's 4-1 win, getting on the end of two corners. He also made 10 passes into the final third and eight ball recoveries in an all-action display.

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) - 9.1

Gibbs-White scored the first hat-trick of his career on Sunday, and it couldn't have come at a more important time.

Nottingham Forest's hopes of Premier League survival looked set to take a huge hit when they trailed 1-0 to Burnley with 30 minutes to go, but the England international then got three goals in 15 minutes to turn things around. The pick of the bunch was his second, an unstoppable volley at the back post.

Gibbs-White celebrates
Gibbs-White celebratesOpta by StatsPerform / Andrew Boyers / Reuters

Attack

Isidro Pitta (Bragantino) - 9.7

Paraguayan striker Pitta was the star man in Red Bull-owned Bragantino's 4-2 win over Remo in Brazil, scoring three goals in the space of just 28 minutes. All three were excellent finishes, and took him on to five goals in two games after he bagged a brace in the Copa Sudamericana two days prior.

He was left out of Paraguay's squad for the most recent international break, but will surely be heading to the World Cup if he continues to perform like this.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 9.2

Watkins, too, is staking a claim for a World Cup spot, with the Aston Villa striker bagging a brace at the weekend to take his tally to six goals in his last five games.

Two cool headers as well as an assist proved absolutely crucial for his side, who beat Sunderland 4-3 to move 10 points clear in the fight to secure Champions League qualification.

Sergi Solans (Real Salt Lake) - 9.3

Spanish striker Sergi Solans is very much establishing himself as one of the breakout stars of the new MLS season, with the Real Salt Lake man scoring twice against San Diego to move on to five goals in his first seven games of top-flight football.

He headed in twice to give his side their fifth win in six games and keep them well inside the play-off places.

Solans' xG map so far this season
Solans' xG map so far this seasonOpta by StatsPerform
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