Bayer Leverkusen made historical past on the finish of the 2023-24 season, not solely by claiming their first Bundesliga title but additionally by turning into the first-ever workforce within the German high flight to keep away from defeat over the course of the marketing campaign. Each participant performed their position to perfection all through the marketing campaign, guaranteeing a historic run for Bayer Leverkusen.
Left-back Alejandro Grimaldo was one of many heroes of Leverkusen’s unbeaten marketing campaign, frequently popping up with moments of inspiration within the attacking third. He stretched the protection, linked up beautifully with attackers, and likewise put in a strong shift on the again, guaranteeing Leverkusen was at all times on the entrance foot.
Within the checklist under, we pays homage to Grimaldo and different attack-minded defenders who made a distinction in 2024. Proceed studying to take a look at 5 defenders throughout the highest 5 European leagues with essentially the most objective involvements (targets + assists) in 2024.
Knowledge: Transfermarkt (As much as December 3, 2024)
#5 Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan): 11 Purpose contributions
Kicking off the checklist is Inter Milan’s first-choice left-back Federico Dimarco. The Italy worldwide has been in wonderful kind this yr, clocking 11 objective contributions for the Nerazzurri in 34 video games throughout competitions. Dimarco has discovered the again of the online 4 occasions this yr and supplied seven assists.
Dimarco chipped in with 5 targets and 6 assists in 30 Serie A matches final season, contributing to the membership’s championship victory. He has been in first rate kind this season as nicely, recording a objective and two assists in 12 appearances, serving to Inter stay within the title battle (at present third).
#4 Miguel Gutierrez (Girona): 12 Purpose contributions
In fourth place, we’ve got Girona left-back Miguel Gutierrez, with the Spaniard recording 12 objective contributions because the begin of the yr. Gutierrez, who helped Girona safe UEFA Champions League qualification for the primary time of their historical past final season, has scored three targets and supplied 9 assists in 41 video games in 2024.
Gutierrez has not precisely lit up La Liga along with his performances this time period, however his output has been greater than first rate. He has performed 20 matches this time period, netting two targets and claiming three assists.
#3 Jonathan Clauss (OGC Good): 13 Purpose contributions
OGC Good star Jonathan Clauss is prone to end 2024 as essentially the most offensively astute right-back throughout the highest 5 European leagues. Clauss, 32, has recorded 13 objective contributions to this point in solely 33 video games in all competitions. Clauss, who has scored 4 targets and claimed 9 assists in 2024, solely joined Good in August 2024, spending the primary half of the yr at Marseille.
The France worldwide recorded a powerful 5 targets and 12 assists for Marseille in 43 video games throughout the 2023-24 marketing campaign. He has had a good begin at Good as nicely, recording one objective and 4 assists in 14 video games.
#2 Theo Hernandez (AC Milan): 16 Purpose contributions
Serie A giants AC Milan had a high quality 2023-24 season, ending second within the Italian top-flight rankings. Every Milan participant their half to perfection, together with jet-heeled left-back Theo Hernandez. The previous Actual Madrid man has loved a cracker of a yr, with him clocking 16 objective involvements in 41 video games for Milan in all competitions. He has scored 5 targets and supplied 11 assists.
Contemplating he scored 5 targets and supplied 11 assists throughout the 2023-24 season, Hernandez has had a modest begin to the 2024-25 season. He has performed 16 video games to this point this time period, scoring two targets and claiming two assists. Milan, who’re toiling in seventh place in Serie A, want Hernandez to step up within the second half of the season.
#1 Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen): 26 Purpose contributions
On the high of the rankings sits Bayer Leverkusen left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, with him taking part in a direct half in 26 targets in 48 video games in all competitions. Grimaldo scored six targets for Bayer and supplied a staggering 20 assists — greater than some other defender throughout the highest European leagues.
Grimaldo, who joined Leverkusen from Benfica in the summertime of 2023, has been in wonderful kind this season. Taking part in 21 matches, he has scored 3 times and supplied seven assists.
