As always, our starting XI is selected using Flashscore's proprietary player rating system. Want to track your favorite footballers more closely in our app? Now you can!

Discover all the details about our newest in-app feature here, and take a look at our latest Team of the Week below:

Goalkeeper

Mattijs Branderhorst (Sittard) 8.6

Branderhorst had a clear mission on Saturday night when Sittard hosted Heerenveen: keep the ball out of his goal. And that's exactly what he accomplished. Although the home team’s performance wasn’t attractive, spending long periods without the ball, Branderhorst’s heroic efforts provided the foundation for them to secure all three points.

The Dutch goalkeeper prevented 2.28 expected goals and made eight saves, earning him man of the match honors and a well-deserved clean sheet. Fortunately for Branderhorst, his team secured the win in the second half to claim a 2-0 victory and move closer to the top eight.

Defenders

Dan-Axel Zagadou (Stuttgart) 9.0

Zagadou’s career hasn’t unfolded as many predicted when he first appeared at Borussia Dortmund, and this season has again been tough due to injuries. Therefore, his man of the match performance for Stuttgart on the weekend (only his second start this season) was a timely reminder of his abilities.

Zagadou must have felt relieved to deliver such a performance after a season plagued by injuries while playing for Stuttgart’s second team.

Although Stuttgart conceded two goals in their 3-2 Bundesliga victory over Augsburg, Zagadou ensured the damage was limited with a defensive masterclass. The centre-back won 11 aerial duels in a commanding display and 20 duels overall, finishing the match with an 80% pass accuracy. The Frenchman fully deserved his 9.0 rating.

Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen) 9.0

Tapsoba is the first of three Leverkusen players featured in the Team of the Week after their 6-0 thrashing of Heidenheim on Saturday.

He played a key role in the emphatic win, being flawless defensively while also assisting the third and fifth goals before being substituted just before the hour mark. A job well done.

Lloris Gautier (Le Havre) 8.7

Gautier is not known for scoring goals. Few Le Havre fans expected him to be the one rescuing a point, but football always brings surprises.

Le Havre were trailing 1-0 at home toNantes and seemed destined for defeat when Gautier powered a header into the top right corner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

It was a cross that invited an attack, and Gautier took full advantage todramatically earn a draw playing as an emergency centre forward.

Midfielders

Jordan Holsgrove (Estoril) 9.3

Scottish midfielder Holsgrove is thriving in Portugal, playing a vital role in Estoril’s exciting 4-3 victory over Arouca this past weekend. Just before halftime, Holsgrove delivered a dangerous corner that found Kevin Boma unmarked, who then scored to level the match at 2-2.

After the break, Holsgrove put the hosts ahead with a stunning solo goal. The midfielder played a quick one-two, slipped past a defender inside the box, and curled a shot past the keeper’s near post into the bottom corner.

Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen) 9.1

Following much anticipation around his summer transfer to Leverkusen, Maza has had an adjustment period at his new club.

Before Leverkusen’s 6-0 win this weekend, Maza’s only goal for the club came in the DFB Pokal, but his excellent brace against Heidenheim ended that drought in style.

The hosts were already leading 4-0 when Maza slid in to score from close range. While his first goal was set up by a quality pass, his second was all about his own effort: after a quick Leverkusen attack, he made a darting run behind the defense and fired a powerful shot into the top corner.

Ernest Poku (Bayer Leverkusen) 9.6

The last Leverkusen player to make this squad is another promising youngster. Since moving from the Netherlands in summer, Poku has adapted smoothly to German football, so it was no surprise to see him shine in Leverkusen’s big win.

Using his speed to find space inside the box, Poku set up Patrik Schick for the opener. His day got even better when he volleyed a ball over the Heidenheim keeper inside the box after a teasing cross from fellow team of the week star Tapsoba.

Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal) 9.6

At 34 years old, Dawsari remains a key player for Al Hilal, proving he still has plenty to offer this season with a timely brace against Al Najma that helped secure an impressive 4-2 away victory.

The skillful left winger scored Al Hilal’s opening goal just seven minutes after Al Najma’s surprising early lead. Dawsari then turned provider as Al Hilal fought back to 2-2 in the 71st minute, leaving time for a winner.

Ruben Neves scored the decisive goal, but Dawsari sealed the win with his second goal late in the match, capping a brilliant individual performance.

Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) 9.3

Doku’s performance against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon was one of those exceptional displays that will be remembered for years. At times, it was a solo show as the Belgian winger tormented Connor Bradley with his blistering pace and dazzling skills.

Although he wasn’t involved in City’s first two goals, Doku earned a penalty in the first half thatErling Haaland failed to convert, and he was a constant threat throughout.

When he cut inside and curled a magnificent shot into the top right corner in the second half to complete his perfect performance, no one could dispute Gary Neville’s decision to name Doku man of the match with nearly 30 minutes remaining.

Doku was in a class of his own, offering a glimpse of the world-class winger he could become if he consistently delivers end products.

Forwards:

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) 10

Messi is currently making the MLS look effortless. The Argentine opened the scoring for Miami against Nashville on Friday night with his signature shoulder feint before shooting into the far corner, catching everyone off guard. Pure brilliance.

His second goal was classic Messi — simply being in the right spot to tap in. Later, a defense-splitting pass led to an assist, completing his flawless 10 rating.

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) 9.7

After a slow start to the season, Atletico Madrid have begun to hit their stride in LaLiga. Their star, Griezmann, had been struggling to find the net until the weekend. Those worries are now behind as he scored a clinical brace to help Atletico secure a convincing 3-1 home victory against Levante continuing their climb up the standings.

Both goals on Saturday night were straightforward finishes, but the kind he hasn’t been scoring this season.