Best players from Europe's Top 5 leagues this weekend

The football weekend had players paying tribute to lives lost in Paris and, as if on cue, teams shed all their inhibitions and played attacking football across Europe. As many as 128 goals were scored in the five major European leagues, with results in Premier League and Bundesliga, in particular, catching the eye.We take a look at the 5 best players from each of these leagues who put in exceptional performances and shone among the flurry of goals this weekend.

#5 Ligue 1: Georges-Kevin N\'Koudou - Marseille

Marseille have endured a tough start to the season. The French club lost Andre Ayew, Dmitri Payet and Florian Thauvin to the Premier League, which was followed by an even bigger loss of enigmatic coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Consequently, Les Phoceens are currently languishing in 12th place and Sunday’s away win over Saint-Etienne was much-needed. The hero of their victory was new signing Georges-Kevin N’ Koudou.

The French-Cameroonian winger was instrumental in the majority of Marseille’s attacks, taking on defenders at will on the left wing and putting in dangerous crosses. He assisted Batshuayi for the opener before scoring one himself, a long-range effort from outside the box.

The 20-year-old’s form has been encouraging, with Marseille finally stringing a run of decent results (3 wins and 1 draw in the last 5 games). Newly-appointed manager Michel himself, known for his crossing ability during his playing days at Real Madrid, will be hoping for the former-Nantes youngster to continue his good run and at least equal last season’s Europa League finish for the Bad Boys of French Football.

#4 Bundesliga: Max Kruse - Vfl Wolfsburg

The Bundesliga alone accounted for 30 goals over the weekend and, barring a goalless stalemate between FC Koln and FSV Mainz, strikers all over Germany were on song. Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen) and Moritz Hartmann (Ingolstadt) scored two goals each, but even more impressive was Max Kruse in Vfl Wolfsburg’s 6-0 win over Werder Bremen.

Replacing Julian Draxler, who is serving a two-match ban, Max Kruse laid his stake for a place in the team, scoring twice and setting up another. The forward was deadly in the hole behind the striker, keeping possession in tight areas, passing out to the wings and constantly making secondary runs off target-man Bas Dost.

At this rate, fellow-arrival Draxler will have his work cut out and his place in the team might not be straightforward as before. Kruse’s performance has ensured there will be heated competition for the secondary striker spot between these two new signings and has certainly eased the loss of Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City.

#3 Serie A: Adem Ljajic - Inter Milan

The Italian Serie A had its fair share of performers, notably the trident of Hamsik-Insigne-Higuain who broke a stubborn Hellas Verona defence, goalkeeper Federico Marchetti single-handedly saving Lazio from defeat and Leandro Paredes in midfield for Empoli against Fiorentina.

The standout performer, however, was Adem Ljajic. The Serbian has had an indifferent start to life at Inter, amid allegations of poor attitude and lack of professionalism. But if the 4-0 victory over Frosinone is anything to go by, his presence could be the inspiration the Nerrazzuri so desperately need in attack.

Sunday’s win was the first time Roberto Mancini’s side won by more than one goal this season and Ljajic was at the heart of it. His goal-bound shot led to Inter’s opener, after which he displayed noteworthy chemistry with fellow-countryman Stevan Jovetic and Mauricio Icardi, assisting twice in the process.

All in all, it was an impeccable display of agility and creativity – one which Mancini will count on come next week’s top-of-the-table clash with Napoli.

#2 EPL: Philippe Coutinho - Liverpool

The Premier League too saw 30 goals being scored over the weekend and some dazzling performances to boot. Harry Kane continued his newly-found goalscoring form, Jamie Vardy equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games and Everton’s front-four of Lukaku, Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and Kone showed impressive teamwork in the Toffees’ 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

The most incredible performance, though, was Liverpool’s 4-1 demolition of Manchester City away from home and Philippe Coutinho, in particular, was sensational. Nicknamed ‘David Blaine’ after the American illusionist for his nimble footwork, Coutinho showed another side to his game on Saturday – pressing.

The pint-sized Brazilian playmaker worked hard in defence, pressurizing the opposition into making mistakes. Thereafter, he combined brilliantly with Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana on the counter, ending with a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.

Coutinho’s performance was a direct result of Jurgen Klopp’s efforts off the pitch and the German manager will be hoping his star player continues to buy into his philosophy of high-pressing. That, and hope all the defending will not lead to more injuries.

#1 La Liga: Andres Iniesta - FC Barcelona

El Clasico was supposed to be a closely-fought affair of high quality, a contest worthy of two giants in football. In the end, it turned out to be a harrowing evening for Rafa Benitez and Real Madrid as Barcelona turned back the clock to Pep Guardiola’s heydays and ran out 4-0 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Luis Suarez scored a brace, Neymar chipped in with a goal and assist and Sergi Roberto did his bit. But it was Andres Iniesta who ran the show. Ably assisted by partners-in-crime Sergio Busquets and Ian Rakitic, Don Andres won the match for Barcelona with his man-of-the-match performance in midfield.

The Spanish wizard proved even more elusive than usual for Real Madrid’s defenders. To add to his dribbling, Iniesta displayed metronomic passing and positioning a la Xavi, assisted Neymar for Barca's second and scored a beautifully-crafted goal after half-time to end any hopes left of a Real comeback.

By the time he was substituted, Iniesta had a staggering 96% pass success rate in the heart of midfield, proving once again his significance in big games. No wonder then, that the man received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd, who enjoyed his performance as much as they were left disappointed by their own team.