Our Champions League awards honour the best – and worst – of the semi-final action this week.
Player of the Week
Welcome back, Jadon Sancho.
After a torrid time since leaving Borussia Dortmund for the Premier League, Sancho was back to his brilliant best this week. Sancho looked right at home back in the Black and Yellow of Dortmund and tormented Paris Saint-Germain in his side’s 1-0 win at the Westfalenstadion.
PSG couldn’t get near Jadon Sancho this evening! ????️
An incredible #UCL semi-final display ???? pic.twitter.com/HVF4xeRQmP
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2024
He became the first Englishman to ever complete 11+ take-ons in a Champions League game, while it was the first time since Lionel Messi in 2008 that a player had reached that total in a semi-final. Sancho led the PSG defenders on a merry dance all evening, recording three key passes and 14 ground duels won.
What a performance from Jadon Sancho ✨
(via @BlackYellow) pic.twitter.com/bjXPr5H5ru
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 1, 2024
Manchester United might have been the wrong fit for Sancho, but he’s some talent. Dortmund know that better than anyone.
Goal of the Week
What a way to break the drought.
Leroy Sane had gone 186 days and 27 games without a goal for Bayern Munich, but brought the Bavarians back into their semi-final with Real Madrid with a stunning strike.
The speed of run and finish were exceptional, as Sane stormed infield and blasted Bayern level.
What a strike that is from Leroy Sané ????
The German SMASHES Bayern Munich back in to the semi-final ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/Zef1SIyZX3
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2024
Pass of the Week
The midfield maestro put on a masterclass as Real Madrid drew with Bayern Munich, haunting his old side with a performance full of trademark craft.
Toni Kroos led the contest for touches, completed passes, possession won, interceptions and chances created, while providing a wondrous assist for Vinicius Junior after carving open Bayern.
Modestly, he said the assist was nothing special. It’s fair to say that Vinicius, who bowed down to the veteran in appreciation after scoring, disagreed.
This angle of Toni Kroos’ pass for Vini Jr’s goal ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/McT1XYcMrQ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2024
Miss of the Week
Fabian Ruiz won’t want to watch this one back. After PSG lost at Dortmund, how costly could this moment be in the tie?
Fabián Ruiz misses an absolute sitter for PSG ????#UCL | ???? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/YmwW3dwrZZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2024
Prediction of the Week
Confirmed – Daniel Sturridge is a time traveller.
Daniel Sturridge saw Leroy Sane’s goal and Harry Kane’s penalty against Real Madrid coming ????
via @danielsturridge pic.twitter.com/KiFGFT3NzN
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 30, 2024
Stat of the Week
Stoke City 2015/16. Champions League heritage. Drink it in.
One of the craziest stats you’ll ever see…
2004: Glen Johnson
2005: Johnson; Ibrahim Afellay
2007: Peter Crouch
2008: Bojan; Crouch
2009: Bojan
2010: Bojan; Marko Arnautovic
2011: Afellay
2013: Xherdan Shaqiri
2019: Shaqiri
2024: Joselu???????????? pic.twitter.com/ZZD3rJ9SKs
— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) May 1, 2024
Tweet of the Week
Jamie Carragher, eight pints in with the Dortmund fans this week.
It’s some gig for those lot at CBS.
.@Carra23 is living his best life out in Dortmund ???????? pic.twitter.com/YXXv5Ed3tn
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 1, 2024
Quote of the Week
Rio Ferdinand was feeling Jadon Sancho’s sparkling performance against PSG this week.
Rio Ferdinand ???????????????????? that performance from Jadon Sancho ???? pic.twitter.com/9Kn2jaxWeE
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2024
While over in Germany, game recognises game.
Learned from the best! https://t.co/b8KZuChsY8
— Leroy Sané (@leroy_sane) April 30, 2024
Read – Four talking points from the Champions League semi-finals
See more – Ranking the best young players in world football right now