Arsenal slayers Bayern feature in Champions League team of the round

Bayern have no fewer than three players in the Champions League team of the round following their 10-2 aggregate win over Premier League outfit Arsenal. Heated rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid follow suit with two players apiece, but Bayern’s ravaging of the Gunners certainly raised eyebrows on the continent. 

The stand out performer in the last-16 stage was midfielder Arturo Vidal, whose WhoScored rating (8.75) was better than any other player. The Chilean netted twice at the Emirates and over both legs, made a combined 18 tackles and interceptions. 179 passes over the two fixtures meant the Chilean was more than capable of both winning and recycling possession as the Bundesliga giants romped to victory. 

Thiago Alcantara joins his teammate in midfield having made five key passes over the two legs, while he also didn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities after making six tackles across the fixtures. Arjen Robben rounds off the Bayern triumvirate with his two goals contributing to an average WhoScored rating of 8.37 against Arsenal. Joining the Dutchman on the frontline is Barcelona star Neymer and Manchester City man Sergio Aguero. 

While the Brazilian’s influence was minimised in the first leg, Neymar played a starring role in Barcelona's historic 6-1 home win over PSG, earning a perfect WhoScored rating of 10 courtesy of two goals and a crucial assist for Sergi Roberto’s winner. An underwhelming display in the first leg 4-0 loss in Paris, though, meant this average rating was 8.33, the fifth best at the last-16 stage. 

One place above Neymar is Aguero, who while he failed to get on the scoresheet in Monaco, was arguably City’s best player in France. Two goals and an assist in the 5-3 first leg win helped earn the Argentine the WhoScored man of the match award while nine dribbles over the two encounters earned him an average rating of 8.37. 

Casemiro shields the defence in the team of the round on the back of two excellent showings in Real Madrid’s 6-2 aggregate win over Napoli. The Brazil star made 10 tackles over the two legs, not to mention a stunning second half strike at the Bernabeu to leave goalkeeper Pepe Reina clutching at thin air. Nine interceptions was also a fine return, as Casemiro proved his worth to Real Madrid once more. 

Teammate Sergio Ramos comes in at the heart of the defence after earning the man of the match award in Naples. The defender was once again on the scoresheet for the European champions in the victory, while eight interceptions across the two legs contributed to an average rating of 7.76. Madrid rival Jose Gimenez partners Ramos at the back, with he excelling across both meetings with Bayer Leverkusen. The Uruguayan won nine aerial duels over the two legs, while 16 clearances and eight interceptions contributed to a WhoScored rating of 7.66. 

Sime Vrsaljko rounds off the Madrid-based contingent, with the Croat excelling at right-back having established himself as a first team regular under Diego Simeone. He proved why against Bayer Leverkusen, having registered an assist and completed six dribbles as he broke forward well. Nine clearances, five interceptions and eight tackles also exhibited the defensive qualities to his game as Atletico comfortably progressed to the next round of the Champions League. 

Juventus man Alex Sandro completes the back four with he earning the WhoScored man of the match award in the 2-0 win in Porto in the first leg. The left-back registered one assist from his six key passes and was on hand to help the defence having made six tackles over the two legs. Kasper Schmeichel finishes off the XI after his excellent showing between the sticks against Sevilla. The Dane twice denied the La Liga outfit from the penalty spot to secure Leicester’s place in the next round of the Champions League and made eight saves overall as the Foxes upset the odds to progress.