Opinion: European club season 2022-23 review and awards
A look at which teams, players and managers stood out most
Europe’s top five leagues have come to an end. The drama of the last nine months — interrupted only in the late fall to make time for an unusually-timed World Cup — finally delivered its verdicts over the last few weeks.
In England, Manchester City dominated once again, while Napoli surprised many by winning the Serie A crown for the first time in 33 years.
Barcelona proved stronger than their rivals Real Madrid in Spain, while Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain won it all again in Germany and France, respectively.
The curtain officially comes down on the European club season with the Champions League final on Saturday, followed by the summer transfer window.
Here’s a look at the highlights as well as which teams, players and managers stood out most this past season from Europe’s top five leagues:
Team of the year: Manchester City
The blue side of Manchester had a great domestic season. They won the Premier League for a third straight year — and ninth overall in club history — and added the FA Cup trophy with a win against rivals Manchester United.
Man City isn’t just the best team in Europe. They could very well be the best club side in the world at the moment. They can consolidate that talking point should they complete the treble by beating Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Honorable mention: Napoli
Player of the year: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Much of what Manchester City accomplished this season was thanks to a star-studded and experienced squad. But newcomer Erling Haaland stood out for his ability to score at will. In all, he has scored 52 goals in 52 matches across all competitions.
In doing so, he shattered records along the way. His 36 goals in his first 35 Premier League appearances broke the record for most goals in a single season previously held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer (both in 42-game seasons). In addition, no player has scored more goals in an English top-flight season than Haaland’s 36 since Ron Davies tallied 37 times for Southampton during the 1966-67 campaign.
Honorable mention: Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Manager of the year: Luciano Spalletti (Napoli)
There was no coach across Europe’s top five leagues who had so many dark clouds over him at the start of the season. Following the departures of veterans such as Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Kalidou Koulibaly, few had hopes that Napoli could win the league. Instead, it was Spalletti’s pressing game and 4-3-3 attacking formation that proved to be the winning formula for a team that won the league for the first time since 1990.
Spalletti is set to leave Napoli to enjoy a sabbatical year. It remains to be seen who napoli will hire to replace him. Whoever does will have big shoes to fill. Whoever does replace Spalletti shouldn’t tweak the system too much. This is a team that has strength across its roster, even if players like defender Kim Min-jae were to leave over the summer.
Honorable mention: Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)
Goal of the year: Marius Bulter (Schalke 04 against VfB Stuttgart)
The best strike of the season comes courtesy of the Bundesliga and specifically striker Marius Bulter of Schalke 04. It was his wonderful back-heel flick on Feb. 25 in a 2-1 victory against VfB Stuttgart that was tops.
The goal happened in the 40th minute at the VELTINS-Arena when Rodrigo Zalazar evaded Borna Sosa on the right wing and played a precise ball into the middle of the penalty area. The cross was then beautifully dispatched by Bulter, who flicked the ball behind him with his right heel and into the left corner.
Honorable mention: Julio Enciso (for Brighton against Manchester City)
Biggest underachiever: Juventus
What can be said about a storied club that was once again mired by financial scandals off the field. In the end, the team went for a second straight season with no trophy and could only muster finishing seventh after they suffered a 10-point deduction by an Italian court for a bookkeeping scandal that involved inflating the value of players.
Injuries also hurt them and the prolonged absences of midfielder Paul Pogba and striker Federico Chiesa were felt. A disappointing start also hampered manager Massimiliano Allegri’s ability to make a title run (before they were deducted points) and failure to reach the knockout round of the Champions League added to their misery.
Honorable mention: Chelsea
Most memorable moment: Sebastien Haller scores on World Cancer Day
Borussia Dortmund’s Sebastien Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2022. The 28-year-old striker underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy in the ensuing months, before returning to the team this past January.
It was against rivals Freiburg on Feb. 4, known as World Cancer Day, that he produced a glorious moment. He marked the occasion by scoring Dortmund’s third goal in a 5-1 win (his first in all competitions for the club) before pointing to the “F—- Cancer” slogan sewn into his shoes in celebration.
Honorable mention: Napoli draws Udinese to capture first league title in 33 years
These were some of the winners and losers from this past season. Let us know who you think deserved a mention in the comments below.