The most valuable full-backs of the European Top 7

André Almeida and Grimaldo are the full-backs of the Liga NOS who have more influence in the goals from their team. In total, the Benfica defenders have had a direct hand in 20 goals – 15 assists and five goals – and find no match in Europe's top 7 leagues.

The most recent assist from a red full-back was in the match against Tondela, from round 27 of the Liga NOS. The Spaniard Grimaldo made a perfect cross on the left for Seferovic's header.

Curiously, both began to build these figures in the opening round, at Luz, against V. Guimarães. Both provided assists for Pizzi's hat-trick. On matchday 14, against SC Braga (6-2), André Almeida scored a stunner, such as Grimaldo put the ball in the back of the net and provided an assist in the match; in round 21, in the famous 10-0 win against Nacional, Grimaldo scored a goal, while André Almeida made an assist.

Apart from this record, the number 34 delivered assists in the following matches: Aves, Tondela, Santa Clara and Belenenses SAD; in turn, Grimaldo provided assists against Feirense, Rio Ave, Sporting, Moreirense and Tondela, at Luz, and scored against Nacional and Boavista.

Full-back influence – top 7 from the European leagues

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: SL Benfica