.jpg "Player Focus: WhoScored's March Review")
A look at the WhoScored Team of the Month for March across Europe's top 5 leagues shows that there has been some stand out performers across the continent.
There are 4 Serie A players in the XI, proving that there has been some superb performances in Italy this month, while there are also 3 La Liga players involved. Both full-backs ply their trade in Germany, and there is just one player from each of England's Premier League and France's Ligue 1.
Here we will look at the top individuals in terms of WhoScored ratings over the past month, with no surprises as to the man leading the way. We will also analyse the top players for certain key statistics in Europe from March 1st up to now to gauge who has been impressing the most and for what reasons.
Player of the Month - Lionel Messi (9.39)
We start with our Player of the Month shortlist, with Lionel Messi leaving the competition in his wake. In 5 league appearances in March the Argentine netted 8 goals, accompanied by a magnificent 5-goal haul in the 7-1 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen just over 3 weeks ago.
We, however, are only looking at league performances, with 2 assists also helping Messi towards an outstanding average rating of 9.39. In terms of league matches alone, Messi's best display came in a 5-3 goal-fest against Granada. A hat-trick and assist in that game came from 6 shots and 2 key passes respectively, with the former figure taking him to 33 efforts at goal over the past 31 days.
Runner-up - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (8.99)
In a hectic month for AC Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic made 8 appearances in all competitions, only failing to complete the 90 once, and the Swede could well be due a breather. However, having dropped points at the weekend and let Juventus right back into the running in Serie A, and with a second leg against Barcelona to play, the schedule won't let up for the frontman.
Despite an excessive amount of game time, with 5 of his appearances in March coming in the league, Ibrahimovic's performance levels in Serie A have never wavered. With 7 goals and 2 assists to his name, the striker's finest hour (and a half) came in the first match of March, when a 14-minute first-half hat-trick sealed an impressive 4-0 away win at Palermo.
Young Player of the Month - Eden Hazard (8.75)
Third in the WhoScored ratings for March, Eden Hazard, at just 21, scoops up our Young Player of the Month award after some exceptional performances of late. A goal and an assist most recently in the 2-1 win over Toulouse has handed Lille the chance to retain their title, though the performance came in April, so isn't considered. Now just 4 points off the top, Lille's fans won't be getting carried away having been third best for much of the season.
The Belgian began the month in fine form, netting a brace in an otherwise disappointing 2-2 draw with bottom placed Auxerre, though it was two weeks later in a home match with Valenciennes where he really shone, earning a WhoScored perfect 10 with a goal and two assists. Another goal and assist in an excellent 3-0 win at Evian ended Lille's March in style, with the wonderkid netting 4 times and picking up 3 assists overall.
Top Scorers
The battle as to who will be top scorer in La Liga, and indeed Europe, continued throughout March with Cristiano Ronaldo keeping his 1 goal lead over Lionel Messi after both netted an extraordinary 8 league goals to take their respective tallies to 37 and 36. Our Player of the Month Runner-up Zlatan Ibrahimovic ended the month with 7 goals to his name, whilst Robben and Higuain both netted 6 times, with the latter's achievement all the more impressive having come from just 4 league starts.
Top Creators
While 11 players managed to rack up 3 assists last month, with none of those playing in the Premier League, Bundesliga duo Franck Ribery and Mario Mandzukic lead the way for assists, with 4 each. The former completed a hat-trick of assists in the 7-1 drubbing of Hoffenheim, only to repeat the feat in the Champions League three days later against Basel. Croatian Mandzukic has proven to be an attacking force throughout the month, with 4 assists and 3 goals spread over his last 4 league appearances.
Most Shots
Unsurprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo led the way for shots last month, as he does over the course of the whole season, with 4 efforts at goal against Osasuna (leading to 2 goals) taking his tally to 200 for the campaign. A total of 4 shots in a match is somewhat modest for the Madrid man, who mustered 43 over his 6 league appearances in March, as well as attempting a further 17 in just two Champions League matches. It won't come as a shock to see the likes of Messi (33) and Ibrahimovic (32) rank 2nd and 3rd respectively, with Giovinco and Balotelli next best on 24.
Most Tackles
AC Milan will be pleased that their recruit from last January, 22-year-old Spanish left-back Didac, is impressing back on loan at Espanyol. The young defender has started all but one league game this season, and led the way for tackles in March with 31. Behind him, and tied for second, are Osasuna's Raul Garcia, who does a fantastic defensive job from an advanced midfield position, and Juventus' Chilean dynamo Arturo Vidal, who both completed 28 tackles last month, with the latter's average of 5.2 per game leading the way in Serie A.
Most Key Passes
The fact that only one of the top 5 in terms of key passes managed to register more than 2 assists says more about their teammates finishing than the respective creative endeavours of the individuals here. Sevilla's Jesus Navas registered 2 assists from a total of 22 key passes, while Tottenham's Luka Modric didn't pick up a single assist despite teeing up teammates 20 times. Yohan Mollo had a fantastic month for in-form Nancy, who beat PSG this weekend, with 19 key passes leading to 3 assists. Giovinco was clearly busy, ranking in the top 5 for both shots and key passes, equal with both Mollo and Pirlo with 19 in this category.
