5 most prolific attacks in European football this season

The new European football season is still into its early stages, but we have witnessed some breathtaking matches already. Most of the usual suspects are back where they belong while some noticeable clubs have failed to reach the highs of last season - Chelsea and Juventus being the two glaring examples.The neutrals, though, will not complain, as they have been enjoying some stunning offensive football from top clubs across Europe, which pleases the eye every time. This attacking style of play has resulted in surprising defeats of even the best of teams, who have been unable to adjust themselves quickly enough to their fast, pacey opponents.Some of them can be attributed to some shrewd managerial skills and others to major overhauls by the teams during the summer transfer window. Always prone to a counter-attack, it is always difficult to adopt and instil an aggressive style in every game. But, time after time this season, the top clubs across the continent have demonstrated how proper aggressive pressing can yield some splendid results, not only enabling you to score more goals, but also completely demoralizing your opponent out of the game.Let us then have a look at the five most prolific attacks in Europe this season and the reasons for their success so far

#1 Manchester City

Manchester City have got off to a flying start this season amassing 24 goals in just nine Premier League outings and an additional 5 in 3 Champions League games. With an overall goals per game ratio of a staggering 2.4, the Citizens have been dismantling their opponents with utmost ease this campaign. Much of the credit for City’s good start goes to Manuel Pellegrini, who has diverted from his preferred 4-4-2 formation, thus, enabling his best players to fit into the starting line-up.

Sergio Aguero got off to a quiet start to the season, but has fired his way back to the goal scoring sheet finding the back of the net as many as five times against lowly Newcastle United. Club record signing Kevin de Bruyne has also settled well after his comeback to England creating three goals and scoring four in all competitions in only six appearances for his new club.

City surprised many with the mammoth £49m fee for Raheem Sterling this summer. But the talented 20 year old is proving his worth with his scorching pace down the left, scoring his first ever hat-trick against Bournemouth last week.

David Silva has been sidelined by injuries for a large part of this season, but has been a huge boost for City, whenever he has played, creating 16 chances in 5 appearances this term, which also includes 6 assists. With 34% of their action zone in the attacking third, City have been ruthlessly taking their opposition apart during this early stage of the season.

#2 Real Madrid

The absence of any major honours last season ultimately led to the sacking of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. However, they do not seem to be missing their Italian manager in any way at the moment. Unlike what most people thought Rafael Benitez would do, he has instilled an attacking brand of football, which is already reaping rich dividends for Los Blancos.

Yet to be beaten this season, Madrid have scored 6 goals in the Champions League and 18 goals in La Liga and are easily looking like the most clinical team in Spain. An attack that’s brimming with superstars is missing the likes of James Rodriguez and Luka Modric who started the season but have since been troubled by injuries but the Real juggernaut goes on.

After a quiet start to the season, Cristiano Ronaldo is looking more formidable than ever netting in a combined eleven goals already in La Liga and the Champions League. His shots per game ratio of 9.3 per game this season simply shows how he manages to baffle defenses at will to find the back of the net.

Gareth Bale also has been an able subordinate to Ronaldo scoring two and assisting three goals in La Liga this term. With an average pass length of 15 meters, the Welshman is not a stranger to delivering that spectacular long ball for his team-mates.

Karim Benzema has always been a quiet performer for the Galacticos and this season has been no different, scoring seven goals in all competitions this season. The Frenchman is once again shining among a galaxy of other stars. He adds to Real Madrid’s mammoth shots per game ratio of 20.6, as they go on with their sublime aggressive football this term.

As an additional bonus, they’re one among the only 2 undefeated sides in Europe this season as well.

#3 Bayern Munich

The Bavarians have already gone out of sight from their closest competitors in the Bundesliga and are already looking firm favorites for a record fourth consecutive German title. Not much has changed in terms of players and coaching staff for Bayern this season.

If anything, the players look even more hungry for success this campaign. The most successful German club has a goals per game ratio of 3.2 garnering 29 splendid goals in just 9 matches. Add to that their 9 goals from three games in the Champions League and their form looks formidable despite recently losing to Arsenal.

One man who has been instrumental in helping Bayern tear apart their opposition is Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker has been in absolutely sublime form for the German champions scoring an astonishing 12 goals in the Bundesliga in just six appearances.

You also cannot miss the contribution of German international Thomas Muller, who has been quietly delivering remarkable performances of his own, netting as many as eight goals this term. In the midst of their superb performance up front, we have to take into account coach Pep Guardiola’s philosophy of keeping the ball.

With an average ball possession of 71.8%, Bayern have dominated proceedings in their games and effectively exhausted their opposition out of the game. Their passing accuracy of 88.9% demonstrates how good they are at keeping possession. The 5-1 annihilation of their fiercest rivals Borussia Dortmund just showcases that they are far ahead from the rest of the pack in the Bundesliga at the moment.

#4 Paris Saint-Germain

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are looking for their fourth Ligue 1 title in as many years and have started the season impressively. Still unbeaten in all competitions this campaign, PSG are bludgeoning their way past their opposition scoring 21 goals in 10 league matches and 5 in 3 UCL games.

With a total number of 116 chances created this term, PSG have been attracting many an eye with their attractive and positive forward pressing football. On the attacking front, they have certainly benefitted from the capture of Angel di Maria from Manchester United this season.

Di Maria’s raw pace and trickery has baffled most defenses and his output of two goals and three assists in just four Ligue 1 appearances this season just showcases what an asset he has become to the Parisians.

Edinson Cavani is on an absolute hot streak at the moment finding the back of the net as many as six times this season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not someone to be left behind continuing his score-at-will approach en route six stunning goals of his own during the campaign.

Coach Laurent Blanc is one of the staunch advocators of ball possession. The former French player recently admitted that he likes to tire his opponents down by not giving them a sniff of the ball, thus, enabling his side to create more chances.

Their passes per game ratio of 600.1 is the highest in League 1 and accurately emphasizes the philosophy of their coach. Not surprisingly, PSG also have an average ball possession of 66.1% and a goals per game ratio of 2.1.

#5 AS Roma

With as many as 20 goals scored from just eight Serie A matches and 7 in 3 Champions League games, AS Roma have been in sparkling form as far as finding the back of the net is concerned. With some shrewd purchases up front, French manager Rudi Garcia has conveniently transformed the Gialorossi into a potent aggressive unit, who are recording an average of almost 7 shots on target per game.

Garcia's men have managed to take control of their games conveniently amassing an average possession of 63.3% and passing accuracy of almost 86%. This has in turn helped Roma to adopt an aggressive style of football, resulting in the team marching forward more often and with greater precision.

The recent 4-4 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League showcases that conceding goals will definitely not peg back the Italian giants from going forward. Roma are also not afraid of shooting from a distance either. Their average of 19 shots per games gives us an indication that a slow build up is not really Garcia's forte.

Alessandro Florenzi's recent 50 yard wonder goal against Barcelona showcases how the Italian giants are not afraid to have a sniff at goal, even from a long range.

From the performance point of view, Ivorian striker Gervinho is leading the way for Roma, finding the back of the net three times already. Bosnian international Miralem Pjanic has also been in sparkling form this season scoring three goals and three assists in just six appearances for the club this term.

On loan from Chelsea, Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah has been prolific this term scoring four goals already for his temporary club. With the addition of Edin Dzeko to their attacking front, you can only expect Roma to better their goals per game ratio of 2.5 this campaign.