Our Champions League awards honour the best – and worst – of the football action from the midweek games.
Moment of the Week
Remontada revenge.
Barcelona looked to have one foot in the semi-finals after scoring first in their meeting with Paris Saint-Germain this week, extending their aggregate lead to 4-2 through Raphinha. The game and tie changed dramatically, however, when Ronald Araujo was sent off in the 29th minute for a professional foul on winger Bradley Barcola just outside his own box.
Ronald Araújo is shown a straight red for bundling over Bradley Barcola ????
A HUGE moment in the tie between Barcelona and PSG!#UCL
???? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/l1D8hODp0P
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2024
Araujo’s slack pass had conceded possession and he was punished with a straight red for hauling down Barcola. It was the turning point of the tie, as PSG made their man advantage count to score four unanswered goals and complete the comeback.
The Parisians have not exactly convinced this season in Europe, but capitalised on a chaotic night with Kylian Mbappe on the scoresheet twice in their 4-1 win. How he will be hoping for the perfect farwell to his time in French football.
Player of the Week
Joshua Kimmich has often epitomised the unrelenting standards at Bayern Munich and rose to the occasion to keep the German club’s campaign alive against Arsenal. World-class in multiple positions, the 29-year-old started at right-back against the Gunners and was the best player on the pitch.
He shutdown the threat of Gabriel Martinelli at one end, completed 93% of his passes, won five tackles and created four chances, in addition to arriving into the box to head home a second-half winner.
NEVER GIVE UP!!! ???????? pic.twitter.com/FrMvzkZHME
— Joshua Kimmich (@JoshuaKimmich) April 17, 2024
Kimmich’s goal was the difference in the tie and embodied his trademark determination, as the German powered in at the back post to meet Raphaël Guerreiro’s cross and thunder a header past David Raya.
After a challenging campaign, Bayern remain in the hunt for the Champions League. Kimmich, as ever, was at the heart of it.
Now to sort that contract situation…
Goal of the Week
Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid treated us to an epic European tie this week, with the Germans progressing after a rollercoaster game at the Westfalenstadion.
Niclas Füllkrug headed Dortmund 3-2 ahead on the night and levelled the tie, following a wonderfully worked goal from the home side. After Marcel Sabitzer burst down the left to float in a cross, the towering target-man got across his marker to plant a header into the far corner.
Borussia Dortmund and Atlético Madrid is level ???????????????????? ????
What a game we have on our hands ????#UCL
???? @TNTSports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/WbyX9NxnZV
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2024
Textbook number nine play from the big man.
Miss of the Week
Bernardo Silva. Dear, oh dear.
There’s a fine line between looking effortlessly cool or utterly stupid in a penalty shootout and Silva’s spot-kick certainly fell into the latter category. Andriy Lunin called the midfielder’s bluff and stood still, catching the tamest of penalties as Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League.
A penalty shootout to forget for Man City ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/heNbuZbabd
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2024
Well, this is awkward…
Real Madrid at the Etihad?
We have Bernardo Silva ???? pic.twitter.com/SXYRpLrRvw
— Erling Enthusiast ???????? (@ErlingProp) April 17, 2024
Stat of the Week
The Kings of Europe for good reason.
6 – Real Madrid have eliminated the reigning UEFA Champions League title-holders six times in knockout ties – at least twice as often as any other side in the competition’s history. Authority. pic.twitter.com/rWhYFEYE8X
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 17, 2024
Tweet of the Week
Phil Foden on the 192 might just the most bizarre Tifo we’ve seen for a Champions League quarter-final.
Unfortunately for Manchester City, Real Madrid brought their own bus to park at the Etihad…
“Single to Stockport please pal.”pic.twitter.com/aumWjZ6kJW
— Matt Ford (@matt_4d) April 17, 2024
Read – Five transfer release clauses we expect to be triggered this summer
See more – Five Scandinavian strikers impressing in Europe this season
