Outstanding European XI for the 2022-23 Season: Goal’s Lightning-Fast Attack

The 2022-23 season has brought the audience many impressive performances. Who will make it to the GOAL Team of the Year?

This weekend, the football season in Europe will officially end with the final of the Champions League and Europa Conference League. And then it’s all back to the madness of the summer transfer market.

This has been a memorable season for many individuals: Erling Haaland continues to ‘turn on destruction mode’ in the Premier League; Jude Bellingham entered the ranks of the world’s top midfielders when he was less than 20 years old; Marc-Andre ter Stegen has kept a record number of clean sheets. Kieran Trippier and Kim Min-Jae can be seen as the unexpected stars of this season.

How to arrange an optimal squad among dozens of excellent faces? Here is the typical lineup that GOAL selected…

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Ter Stegen has benefited from the solid defence that Barcelona possess. However, the level of the German goalkeeper this season is still extremely outstanding. Ter Stegen has the highest save rate in the past 3 seasons. He is also German goalkeeper Ter Stegen’s save rate the best in the last three years and sets a record for the number of clean sheets in a La Liga season (26).

Ter Stegen made important saves in Barca’s minimal win over Atletico Madrid. He made 3 saves in the match against Athletic Club – a very important victory in the Blaugrana’s La Liga title journey.

Right-back: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
The Newcastle right-back is an important factor for coach Eddie Howe’s team to have a ticket to the Champions League next season.

The England international has created many scoring opportunities throughout the 2022-23 season. He has 7 assists and the ability to pressurize from set pieces. Trippier’s defensive influence cannot be ignored either. The right-back has used all of his experience at Atletico Madrid to add certainty to the Newcastle defence.

Center-back: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
2022-23 is a season where Araujo reaches ‘ripe’. He makes better use of his tall physique, is more agile and plays more actively. Barca’s center-back is also very smart, knows how to control space and has an impressive ability to win the ball back. It can be said that this season, he has reached the position of a top midfielder in the world.

Barcelona had someone to trust in defence. And Araujo is only 24 years old, and can still compete at the top for many more years.

Midfielder: Kim Min-jae (Napoli)
Many people questioned when Napoli bought an Asian midfielder from Fenerbahce. This guy’s CV is also not impressive: Coming to football quite late, playing in China before going to Türkiye…

But then, no one can deny that Kim Min-Jae is one of the best rookies in Europe this season. He played a key role in Napoli’s quest to win the Scudetto.

Currently, Napoli face a very difficult task of keeping Min-Jae. Some sources said that Manchester United have asked to recruit this midfielder for a huge fee.

Left-back: Nathan Ake (Man City)
Ake benefits from coach Guardiola’s new scheme? Or are you one of the reasons why it works so well? The answer could be both. Man City’s flexible 3-2-5 formation allows Ake to play to his strengths: passing.

The Dutchman has excellent ball distribution, playing an important role in City’s quick attacks. As for the left-sided center-back, Ake also made stars like Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah silent.

Defensive Midfielder: Rodri (Man City)
It is no coincidence that in the most successful squads, coach Guardiola always has a top defensive midfielder in the world. Right now, Rodri is that person!

All defensive abilities converge in the Spaniard: controlling space, reading the game and making tactical fouls. His creativity is also impressive. Rodri can produce sharp passes in the penalty area when needed. Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland may attract media attention, but Rodri is City’s unsung hero.

Central Midfielder: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
Less than 20 years old won the Bundesliga Player of the Season award. Such a summary is enough to talk about Bellingham’s talent.

This season, Bellingham has stepped into the ranks of the top midfielders in the world. The England star can score, assist and assist in defence. Comparing him to Steven Gerrard is completely justified. Real Madrid has yet another star for Milky Way 3.0.

Central Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Coach Guardiola had to spend a lot of time to find the ‘version’ of De Bruyne that he liked the most. The Belgian midfielder was once classified as a free kick or as a number 8, number 10 and then drifted on the wing. And in any position, he is still one of the top players in Europe.

But this season, when De Bruyne was ranked as a backward striker, coach Guardiola found the most dangerous ‘version’ of De Bruyne. In forging a connection with Haaland – a top striker in the world, the duo instilled fear in all the defences they faced.

RW: Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Vinicius is not a right winger. In fact, he could be one of the top left strikers in the world, alongside Kylian Mbappe. However, the Brazilian star can still play well on the right wing if required. He gradually learned and improved during his first three years at Madrid, and then reached maturity in the 2021-22 season.

Vinicius will end this season with 40 assists in goals, at both club and national level.

More importantly, Vinicius is a player with incredible creativity and technique. If you want to see eye-catching dribbles, follow the young Brazilian star.

ST: Erling Haaland (Man City)
When Haaland broke records at Dortmund, many people challenged the striker: If you are good, go to the Premier League… Currently, his challengers have disappeared without a trace.

Haaland is currently the highest goalscorer in a single season in Premier League history. He is the second player to score five goals in a single knockout match in the Champions League. He is also the fastest player to reach 30 goals in Champions League history.

And that was only Haaland’s first season at Man City…

LW: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
It is difficult to understand when Mbappe has only one Ligue 1 title this season. His efforts, including a hat-trick in the World Cup final, deserve much more success. However, in the meantime, he has to accept the success of the season with just over 30 goals and the captaincy of Paris Saint-Germain.

Obviously, Mbappe has yet to reach his peak and has never played in a team that fully supports him. PSG probably won’t be able to build a squad with Mbappe as the core. But a white team in Spain can do it.