While the likes of Europe's leading dribbler Gokhan Tore have looked to stay on their feet (fouled just once per game on average) despite completing 6.3 successful dribbles per game, others have been felled a little more easily.
Whether they are merely players targeted by opponents for 'special treatment' or tumbling all too easily is up for debate, though Europe's most fouled XI brings up some interesting findings. Based on a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation WhoScored has compiled a team that has been fouled so often that they spend a considerable amount of time on the deck, be it through intention or accident.
One thing is for sure, there is some real attacking talent represented in our line-up, suggesting that the recipients of said fouls are often victims of bad tackles. However, with players like Tore proving that it is not always an impossibility to ride a challenge, there are certainly some inclusions who have been criticised for 'winning fouls' too willingly in the past.
Most Fouled XI
In goal Schalke's young keeper, and replacement for Manuel Neuer, Ralf Fahrmann has been fouled more times on average than any other keeper in Europe, winning 5 free-kicks in 9 appearances. The only other remaining German representative in our XI is Nurnberg's Phillip Wollscheid, who has in fact been fouled more times than any other defender in Europe (25).
Alongside the 22-year-old is Juventus' Giorgio Chiellini who has played, as he did early on in his career, at left-back for much of the campaign. The Italian international is toppled more times per game than any defender in Europe, winning a hefty 2.3 fouls on average. Espanyol's Javi Lopez and Real Madrid's Marcelo make up the continental backline.
In our double-pivot it is perhaps unsurprising to see Barcelona's Sergio Busquets make the line-up. Fouled 0.7 times per game more than Lionel Messi (3 to 2.3), Busquets is somewhat known for his ability to 'win fouls', with a famous incident involving Thiago Motta against Inter instantly springing to mind. He is joined in holding midfield by our fourth and final Spanish acquisition Borja Valero, with the former West Brom man felled 3.4 times per game on average.
Our attacking midfield trio is full of talent and it is therefore no wonder that they are singled out by opponents. Nevertheless, Gaston Ramirez, Eden Hazard and Nene have gone to ground 136 times between them in a combined total of 36 appearances. The latter duo ply their trade in France's Ligue 1 and are indeed the most fouled players in Europe, winning 53 free-kicks each this season compared to Bologna youngster Ramirez's 30.
Siena's Emanuele Calaio completes our XI, with the forward fouled 3.1 times per game on average. The Italian's figures help to make up a huge total 331 fouls won throughout our XI, or 30.1 per game. This increases to 32.6 when merely focusing on the aforementioned outfielders, who have been fouled 2.9 times per game on average.
Conclusions
While WhoScored specialises in all things statistical, we are not ones to judge! Perhaps the most interesting conclusion to draw from the most fouled XI is that there are no Premier League players present. With 4 representatives, La Liga has the highest involvement, followed by Serie with 3 and Ligue 1 and Bundesliga with 2 apiece. There are fewer tackles per game on average in England and France, though the Premier League sees significantly fewer fouls awarded, perhaps proving that referees are more lenient when it comes to good old-fashioned tackling!
However you look at it, our XI will certainly end the season with their fair share of bumps and bruises, though some may argue that these may be down to theatrical falls rather than ferocious fouls!
