Best players with set-piece taking ability in European football
Set pieces sometimes produce goals of astounding beauty. Goals that change the course of a game or even that of a competition. A brilliantly worked free-kick or a well-taken corner can often be the difference between a win and a loss.
Remember David Beckham's free-kick against Greece? Two-and-a-half minutes into stoppage time, England trailed by 2 goals to 1. They needed just one goal to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. England got a free-kick around 35 yards away from the goal and Beckham raised the roof by converting it to a goal and taking England to the World Cup finals.
We all know how decisive a set-piece can be. Without much ado, let us take a look into the top 5 set-piece takers in Europe at the moment.
Note: Set-pieces include penalties, corners as well as free-kicks.
#5 Daniel Parejo - Valencia
Dani Parejo has been a part of Valencia's setup since 2011 after spending his formative years at Real Madrid and Getafe. Parejo is a product of Real Madrid's youth academy, joining Los Blancos at the age of 14.
The Spain International is known for his playmaking abilities and he has developed a reputation for being an expert free-kick taker, besides being a more than capable midfield general. The Valencia captain is also known for his pin-point corners which have led to many goals.
Parejo has not yet received the same attention as his compatriots playing in similar positions, as shown by his lack of senior caps for La Roja.
#4 Miralem Pjanić - Juventus
Bought by Juventus as a replacement for Paul Pogba, 28-year-old Miralem Pjanic has been the chief playmaker for Juventus. He became one of the best midfielders in Serie-A during his time in Rome, and Juventus signed him in the summer of 2016. Since then, the Bosnian international has been an integral player for Juventus, winning two Serie A and two Coppa Italia titles. He has been also named twice in the Serie A Team of the Year: 2015-16 and 2016-17.
Gifted with amazing technical ability, playmaking skills, and tactical versatility, Pjanic is perhaps best known for his incredible set-piece taking abilities.
Pjanic has scored some absolute beauties for both his club and country in the last few years. Not only is he known for his accurate bending direct free-kicks, but he is also renowned for delivering questioning balls into the box from anywhere on the pitch.