Barcelona wing-wizard Raphinha leads Champions League Team of the Week
After a thrilling round of Champions League quarter-final first leg matches, we’ve taken a look back at the week’s standout performers across Europe’s elite club competition. Included in our best XI are players from Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, PSG and Real Madrid.
Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund) - 7.55
Despite defeat to Atletico in the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening, Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel earns his place in our Team of the Week having made seven saves at the Wanda Metropolitano. The 26-year-old also maintained a pass success rate of 89% to contribute to a WhoScored rating of 7.55.
Jules Kounde (Barcelona) - 7.07
France international defender Jules Kounde helped Barcelona to a dramatic 3-2 victory in Paris on Wednesday, as Xavi’s side - having initially taken the lead - came from behind to take a one-goal advantage into next week’s second leg. The 25-year-old made two tackles, five clearances, one interception and two aerial wins to help himself to a WhoScored rating of 7.07.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid) - 6.74
Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta earns a place in our best XI having helped Atletico Madrid to a 2-1 home victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night. The 34-year-old contributed to the Spanish side’s defensive effort with two tackles, four clearances and two interceptions on his way to a WhoScored rating of 6.74.
John Stones (Manchester City) - 6.78
Joining Azpilicueta at the heart of the defence is Manchester City’s John Stones, whose role these days certainly demands more than that of a typical central defender. In a strong display at the Bernabeu, Stones provided the assist for Phil Foden’s 66th-minute equaliser, while he also made one last-man tackle, two clearances, one interception and recorded a pass success rate of 95%.
Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City) - 8.05
Remaining at the Bernabeu, and it’s another Manchester City defender who makes our XI in Josko Gvardiol, who netted his first City goal in some style. The Croatia international powered home a stunning strike from all of 22 yards to give the visitors the lead after 71 minutes, while he also made one key pass, four tackles, three interceptions and two aerial wins in a fine all-round display.
French winger Ousmane Dembele netted only his second goal in PSG colours against his former club Barcelona on Wednesday evening, equalising for the hosts with a stunning strike just three minutes into the second half. Dembele also made one successful dribble and three key passes to return a WhoScored rating of 7.78.
PSG midfielder Vitinha joins teammate Dembele in our Team of the Week having continued his strong form with a fine performance against Barcelona. The former Wolves man netted his first Champions League goal of the season to give the home side the lead just three minutes after Dembele’s leveller, while he also made three key passes, one successful dribble, five clearances and one interception to land a WhoScored rating of 7.88.
Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) - 7.68
Argentina international midfielder Rodrigo De Paul gave Atletico Madrid the lead inside four minutes of their clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, finding the net for only the second time this season. De Paul, who was on target with his only shot of the game, also made one key pass, one successful dribble, three tackles and one interception to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.68.
With a WhoScored rating of 8.55, Barcelona winger Raphinha is our Champions League Player of the Week after a fine performance at Parc des Princes on Wednesday. The 27-year-old gave the visitors the lead shortly before half time, before finding the net 25 minutes later with a well-taken volley to level the score at 2-2. In all, the Brazilian fired off six shots on goal, while he also completed two dribbles and made three key passes.
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) - 8.34
Antoine Griezmann turned in the second highest rated performance by a player in midweek when he starred in Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund. The Frenchman, who set up Samuel Lino for the hosts’ second goal of the evening with a wonderful pass, won two aerial duels, made two tackles and a whopping six key passes to post a WhoScored rating of 8.34.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - 8.15
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior registered his third and fourth assists in the Champions League this season when he set up both Rodrygo and Federico Valverde’s goals against Manchester City on Tuesday. The Brazilian made a total of four key passes, one successful dribble and two tackles on the night to take home a WhoScored rating of 8.15.
