.Europe's top leagues have experienced a unique phenomenon this season (2020-2021). Not only is it different because there are no spectators in the stadium due to the corona virus pandemic that is still spreading, competition in Europe's top leagues also tends to be unique.
"They (AC Milan) got good results but I think the Rossoneri are still missing something to be at the level of Juventus and Inter (Milan)," said Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Everton discussing AC Milan's performance quoted from Football-Italy.
"However, don't forget that this is a strange season everywhere in Europe, I saw quite surprising results. Some leaders are unpredictable at the start of the season. Anything can happen."
"Anything can happen." That is what Ancelotti says that can be underlined. If you look at the Premier League, Serie A, and LaLiga (the three leagues most often watched by fans), the top flight of the standings is inhabited by teams that were not predicted before.
No doubt, in the latest edition, BolaSkor.com will describe the clubs that have so far made a surprising appearance in Europe's top leagues for the 2020-2021 season. Here's the review:
1. Sassuolo
The surprise from Italy wasn't just Atalanta with their play under the direction of Gian Piero Gasperini. Secretly Roberto De Zerbi's Sassuolo surprised and slowly approached the top of the Serie A standings.
Sassuolo is currently in second place with 15 points and two points adrift of AC Milan at the top of the standings. One thing that is their main strength is the attack line: Sassuolo has scored 18 goals in seven matches.
That number is the same as Atalanta and makes them the sharpest team in Serie A so far. From existing data, Sassuolo recorded the highest number of goals per game in the top five European leagues with 2.57 goals, the same as Aston Villa, Atalanta, and under Bayern Munich and PSG.
"We have to live the moment with happiness and enthusiasm, not ignore anything in our attention, not consider ourselves better than we really are," said De Zerbi.
"If we feel better, I will lose my calm mind. At the same time, we have to play with joy and awareness of the fact that everything we do we have beaten; nobody gives us anything."
De Zerbi was a major factor in Sassuolo's great form with his philosophy of offensive football and possession. He has been coaching Sassuolo for two years and once caught the eye of Pep Guardiola who was interested in the football he was trying to implement. De Zerbi also studied the methods of training Marcelo Bielsa.
2. Real Sociedad
If you look at the current top of the LaLiga standings you won't believe it. Yes, Real Sociedad is at the top of the standings from nine matches with a collection of 20 points, scored 20 goals, and only conceded four goals.
Best attack in the league and second best defense after Atletico (conceded two goals). Imanol Alguacil's team have a good balance with 4-1-4-1 tactics: strong defensively and collective when attacking.
Sociedad's offensive play is formed through patience when building attacks from behind to front, waiting for gaps in the opponent's defense before trying to penetrate the help of other players.
The entry of David Silva adds to the experience and quality in the Sociedad midfield. Apart from that, other players such as Mikel Oyarzabal, Willian Jose, Cristian Portu, Adnan Januzaj, to Mikel Merino are currently performing well.
Naturally, Alguacil is very confident that a player of Diego Maradona's caliber will have difficulty playing at Sociedad, which is built with playing collectivity.
3. Aston Villa
Dean Smith once said his team has matured into the Premier League after promotion last season. Moreover, there are not many changes in the squad that still rely on Jack Grealish, Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz, with a combination of new players Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley.
The 7-2 victory over defending champions Liverpool, 1-0 against Arsenal, is strong evidence that Villa can be a dark horse team this season at the top. If traced further, the top board is indeed the true 'habitat' of the Villa.
Villa has won the league seven times and dominated England in the mid-1980s. Currently they are in sixth place in the standings with 15 points and have only played seven matches (out of a total of eight matches). The top four position is not just a dream for them.
4. Villarreal
Started the league with a 0-4 defeat to Barcelona. But look at the current position of the two teams: Villarreal sits in second place in the LaLiga standings with 18 points from nine matches, while Barca, who have played only seven times, are in eighth place with 11 points.
Unai Emery is slowly instilling his philosophy with Villarreal having scored 13 goals and conceded nine goals so far. With 4-3-3 tactics Villarreal play offensively and try to take the initiative of possession.
The combination of young-senior players is one of Villarreal's strengths such as Paco Alcacer, Vicente Iborra, Manu Trigueros, Raul Albiol, Pau Torres, Mario Gaspar, Carlos Bacca, and Real Madrid loan player Takefusa Kubo.