In Europe's top five leagues, two names stand out above all others: Inter's Federico Dimarco and Borussia Dortmund's Julian Ryerson. This season, their battle for the title of Europe's top playmaking defender has become a compelling two-horse race.

The art of the assist for Inter

Dimarco's rise has been steady and methodical. After developing his skills at Ascoli, Empoli, Sion, Parma and Verona, the 1997-born defender made a breakthrough with Inter in the 2021/22 season, gradually specialising in creating goals from the back.

His progression is clear in the numbers: four assists in 2022/23, six in 2023/24, seven in the following campaign, and already thirteen assists this season after twenty-six league matches: the most of any defender in Europe's top five leagues.

Beyond statistics, his impact on results is undeniable. In the ten league games where he has provided at least one assist, Inter has won nine.

The exception was the Derby d'Italia on matchday three, when his assist for Thuram's temporary 2-3 lead could not prevent a 4-3 defeat. Highlights include his treble of assists in Inter's 5-0 win over Sassuolo, showcasing his ability to dictate play and decisively influence outcomes.

federico dimarco inter serie a

The surprise challenger

While Dimarco has steadily climbed the ranks, Julian Ryerson has emerged as this season's unexpected contender. Also born in 1997, Ryerson developed away from the spotlight at Viking Stavanger and Union Berlin before joining Dortmund in 2022/23.

Previously unremarkable in assist statistics, he has made a breakthrough this season with eleven assists in twenty-three Bundesliga matches.

Ryerson has expanded his range of action, refined his final passes and become a constant presence on Dortmund's right flank. His contributions have produced six wins, one draw and only one defeat across eight matches, demonstrating his tangible impact.

His standout performance came against Mainz, where he registered four assists in a 4-0 victory, cementing his place among Europe's most productive attacking defenders.

ryerson borussia dortmund

A two-horse race for Europe's top assist-providing defenders

The gap between Dimarco, Ryerson and the rest of Europe's defensive corps is significant. Dimarco's thirteen assists and Ryerson's eleven place them far ahead of other defenders, creating a clear contest for continental supremacy.

The next closest are Hoffenheim's Vladimir Coufal and Lens' Matthieu Udol, each with six assists, while Sael Kumbedi, Guela Doue, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jonathan Clauss and David Raum trail with five apiece.

In a footballing landscape increasingly driven by statistics yet still valuing intuition and creativity, Dimarco and Ryerson exemplify how defenders can combine defensive duties with offensive generosity.

Their vision, precision and ability to craft decisive moments prove that in today's game, the backline can be as influential in scoring as the forwards themselves.

Julian Ryerson

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