Europa League round-up: 11 players from 11 different teams in best rated XI

The opening round of matches in the Europa League knockout phase produced some upsets, with the likes of Arsenal and Salzburg losing away to BATE Borisov and Club Bruges, respectively.

Here we round-up the top five WhoScored rated players from the first leg of the round of 32 matches in the Europa League from Thursday night.

5. Stanislav Dragun (BATE) - 8.25 rating

Stanislav Dragun scored the only goal in BATE’s encounter with Arsenal, giving Belarusian outfit the advantage for the return leg. The 30-year-old netted from a set-piece just before half-time before helping BATE see out their victory without conceding an away gaol. Dragun won four aerial duels, made nine clearances and four interceptions to help frustrate the Gunners.

4. Alfonso Pedraza (Villarreal) - 8.37 rating

Like Dragun, Alfonso Pedraza also popped up with the match winner in his match. Villarreal secured an impressive 1-0 win away to Sporting courtesy of Pedraza’s third-minute goal. The 22-year-old wing-back also registered one key pass but spent most of the match preventing Sporting from scoring. Pedraza made six tackles and interceptions combined and two clearances.

3. Ruben Sobrino (Valencia) - 8.60 rating

Ruben Sobrino enjoyed a dream debut for Valencia in midweek after playing a direct hand in both of their goals in a 2-0 win away to Celtic. Transferred from Alaves last month, Sobrino has already scored as many goals for Valencia as his final 14 appearances for his former club combined. The Spaniard registered three key passes, won four aerial duels and won three fouls.

2. Jose Callejon (Napoli) - 8.60 rating

Jose Callejon has won the WhoScored Man of the Match in two of his last three appearances after playing a direct hand in two of Napoli’s three goals in a 3-1 win away to Zuerich. The 32-year-old only played a direct hand in two goals in six Champions League matches earlier this season and has matched that total in Napoli’s first Europa League game of the campaign. He registered three shots and as many key passes against Zuerich.

1. Ludek Pernica (Viktoria Plzen) - 9.44

Viktoria Plzen defender Ludek Pernica finished Thursday’s Europa League matches as the highest WhoScored rated player. The 28-year-old centre-back scored both goals in Plzen’s 2-1 win at home to Dinamo Zagreb. Pernica also made five tackles and interceptions combined and five clearances.