Champions League round-up: The star men from Wednesday’s action

 

Valencia 3-1 Young Boys - Carlos Soler - 8.78 rating

 

Valencia eventually dispatched of Swiss minnows Young Boys to secure their first victory in the Champions League since October 2015, ending a six-game run without a win. Carlos Soler was heavily involved in the victory, scoring one and assisting another. It was also Soler’s effort off the post that provided Santi Mina the opportunity to give Valencia the lead in the 14th-minute. Moreover, Mina was fouled five times and completed two dribbles.

 

CSKA Moscow 1-2 Roma - Justin Kluivert - 7.86 rating

 

Justin Kluivert caught the eye during his 69-minute outing in Russia, finishing as the WhoScored man of the match without scoring or assisting. The 19-year-old registered three key passes, completed four dribbles and won four fouls. Not only that, but the teenager also made four tackles, more than his previous seven appearances combined across league and European competition for Roma this season (3).

 

Juventus 1-2 Manchester United - Cristiano Ronaldo - 7.62 rating

 

Cristiano Ronaldo ended a five-game run without a goal in the Champions League with a strike that was worthy of winning any match, only for a wild five-minute finale to undo all his good work. The 33-year-old had eight shots against his former club and registered three key passes. Ronaldo should have had two assists after setting up Sami Khedira and Juan Cuadrado with golden opportunities in either half.

 

Viktoria Plzen 0-5 Real Madrid - Toni Kroos - 9.96 rating

 

Toni Kroos was only on the pitch for 72 minutes but the Germany international was in devastating form, capping off his performance, which included two assists, with an audacious chip over the Plzen goalkeeper. The 28-year-old registered six key passes in total, completed 95.5% of his passes and made three tackles to help Madrid on their way to a huge victory. Moreover, Kroos won three fouls before being replaced by Isco.

 

 

Bayern Munich 2-0 AEK Athens - Robert Lewandowski - 8.76 rating

 

Robert Lewandowski celebrated his 100th Champions League appearance in style, netting both of Bayern Munich’s goals to secure the Bundesliga side a 2-0 win at home to AEK Athens. The 30-year-old hit the target with four of his five shots, registered two key passes and won two aerial duels. AEK Athens, by contrast, didn’t even manage a shot on target at the Allianz Arena. Lewandowski was also fouled twice before being withdrawn from proceedings in stoppage time.

 

Benfica 1-1 Ajax - Hakim Ziyech - 7.55 rating

 

Ajax conceded their first goal in seven matches but maintained their unbeaten run, now spanning 10 matches. The Dutch giants are yet to lose in the Champions League this season, courtesy of Dusan Tadic’s second-half equaliser against Benfica. Hakim Ziyech was the supplier and the star man in Lisbon. The 25-year-old had five shots and completed two dribbles, while also drawing three fouls.

 

Manchester City 6-0 Shakhtar Donetsk - Riyad Mahrez - 9.81 rating

 

Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick but Riyad Mahrez was the real star of the show. The 27-year-old scored his first Champions League goal for the club and supplied two assists to continue his incredible recent form. Mahrez has now scored or assisted six goals in his last five appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side. The Algeria international also completed one tackle, one interception and one clearance to help the home side keep yet another clean sheet.

 

Lyon 2-2 Hoffenheim - Tanguy NDombele - 9.01 rating

 

Lyon will be furious they let slip a 2-0 lead against 10-men Hoffenheim but Tanguy NDombele did his reputation no harm amid reports Manchester City want the 21-year-old in January. The French midfielder scored from one of five attempts on goal, had the most touches on the pitch (97) and also completed five dribbles from central midfield. Hoffenheim were forced to foul the powerful midfielder on four occasions, while he weighed in with seven tackles and interceptions combined. 

Champions League round-up: The star men from Wednesday’s action