As the group stage comes to a close, the European soccer world is once again in turmoil, with data site SofaScore quickly releasing a set of the most controversial lists - the best and worst 11-man lineups. The inclusion of German goalkeeper Neua and Danish shot-stopper Heeren in this worst XI is particularly notable. They will meet in the fierce battle of the round of 16, staged a "water and fire" competition.
The name of Manchester United striker Helen stands out in this lineup, with a price tag of £72 million (about HK$710 million). However, in the three group matches of this year's Europa League, Hyland's performance was not satisfactory, with no selection, attack or assist, and his competitive status is a cause for concern. He was substituted after only 59 minutes on the pitch in the match against Selnia. Denmark captain Heventer was even more unhappy with the 21-year-old striker's performance. According to the SofaScore rating, Helen earned only 6.47 points, ranking among the lowest scoring players in the game.
And while Neua helped hosts Germany advance to the top of the group, his performance was equally flawed. He conceded two goals in the group stage and made a fatal mistake on the defensive end against Switzerland, leading to a goal. Newa's rating was only 6.7, which is also the lowest among goalkeepers.
In fact, in recent years, the 38-year-old Neua's form has been far from what it once was. Whether playing for Bayern Munich or Germany, he has made mistakes from time to time and even asked leader Gossevin to replace him. This year's Euro may be the veteran's swan song in international competitions.
