UEFA Euro 2016 was a tournament of attrition to be sure. Teams were hesitant to go all out and most decided to sit back and counter. Some were successful and others failed. The ones who could replicate the success on a consistent basis had a backline that was as formidable as the Great Wall of China.
Portugal might not have thrilled the audience with their attack but shut out their opponents by defending with grit and hence have two players in the top 5. Here are some of the superstars from the teams that defended their way into the knockout rounds:
- Leonardo Bonucci
The Italian defender came into great momentum fro a fantastic season for his club Juventus. Even before the tournament began, Bonucci was on the radar of top Premier League clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City. His value only rocketed after the tournament with Manchester City reportedly making a €60 million bid for the defender.
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In the tournament, Bonucci has been vital in winning the ball back in his half for Italy, with 39 ball recoveries to his name. With 28 clearances to his name, he has evidently been there to keep Italy away from trouble when they were defending narrow leads throughout the tournament.
He also converted a penalty against Germany to take the game into extra-time. Leonardo has definitely been one of the best defenders of the tournament.
- Raphael Guerreiro
The youngster was recently signed by German club Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of €12 million. Had Borussia not made the move prior to the Euros, Guerreiro’s value could have been well over €12 million after a stellar campaign.
The defender started all but two games for the Portuguese, due to injury and impressed on both halves of the pitch. In only five games, Guerreiro has recovered the ball on 38 occasions. In the attack, he has attempted 24 crosses with 5 successfully reaching a Portuguese player. 15 of his attacking passed were in key areas of the field and 13 of them were inside the D-box.
His pace and dangerous balls into the box have helped him provide 2 assists. He has made 10 solo attacking runs, 5 of them key to a Portugal chance and two of them right into the box. Thanks to his brilliant performances, Guerreiro has been one of the best finds of the UEFA Euro 2016.
- Jerome Boateng
The defending World Champions Germany started the tournament off as one of the favourites to win it. Although they didn't reach the finals of the tournament, Germany and Boateng can take back many positives from the tournament.
The Bayern Munich defender has been at the end of many social media trolls after his handball against Italy, but it is unfair that he will be remembered for it. His defensive performance in the Euro’s was calm and composed with a staggering 56 ball recoveries for the Germans.
With a staggering 406 passed to his name, he made the second highest successful passes in the tournament. He also has a goal to his name, which came in the round of 16.
- Ashley Williams
With 4 vital tackles and 7 important blocks, Ashley Williams has led the Welsh backline during the whole tournament. The Welsh captain has guided his team to the semi-finals with sheer passion and determination, which was visible every time he entered the pitch for the Dragons.
His goal against Belgium put Wales back on level terms before Robson-Kanu gave them the advantage. He also has 33 clearances to his name and has recovered the ball on 49 occasions. His performance at the back has helped Wales keep two clean sheets in the tournament.
5. Pepe
The man with one of the worst reputation in the world – Kepler Lima a.k.a Pepe is the last player to make it to the list after a fantastic campaign in France. Even the millions of fans who despise the man must agree that Pepe’s contribution for Portugal was vital, especially in the Quarterfinals and the Finals of the tournament.
The Real Madrid defender also won the Man of the Match award in the Final, helping Portugal keep a clean sheet. He has won the ball back on 60 occasions for his team, that is 10 recoveries per game. He has also had the stat of most interceptions in the tournament i.e. 19 and has made seven vital blocks, most of which came in the earlier stages of the tournament, helping Portugal win a point.
Honourable mentions:
Mats Hummels and Ragnar Sigurdsson Laurent Koscielny are three of the players who narrowly missed on the list for the top five defenders. Hummels has had a quiet tournament but has been consistent and delivered for Germany in each of the games. Although he hasn’t made any headlines, his stats show that he has had a good tournament.
Ragnar Sigurdsson has had a dream Euro which includes a goal against England. Koscielny is another player who hasn’t made any headlines with his performance but he has been France’s best defender by far at the Euros. In the group stages of the tournament, Koscielny was in fact arguably the best defender.
A few sluggish moments in the round of 16 games see’s him miss out on the top 5.
