The UEFA Champions League quarter-final line up has been completed following the second round of last-16 ties.
Manchester City have joined Chelsea as the Premier League representatives in the last eight, following a 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig that sent a statement of their intent. Liverpool are out after a convincing defeat to Real Madrid over two legs, while Inter Milan and Napoli progressed this week to ensure Serie A have three sides in the quarter-finals.
Here is the The Football Faithful’s Champions League Team of the Week
Goalkeeper: André Onana – Inter Milan
Inter Milan are into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years after Simeone Inzaghi’s side withstood strong Porto pressure to progress at the Estádio do Dragão. Andre Onana was the hero for the Italians, as the goalkeeper made a string of saves to frustrate the hosts in a goalless draw in Portugal.
Inter were protecting a 1-0 first-leg lead and rode their luck to reach the last eight, with Onana making a crucial stoppage-time save to turn Mehdi Taremi’s header onto the post as Porto pressed for a breakthrough late on.
???? | FOCUS
André Onana v Porto:
???? 6 saves
???? 3 saved shots from inside the box
✋ 2.55 Goals prevented
???? 2 punches
✈️ 1 high claim
???? 45 touches
???? 19/31 accurate long balls
???? 8.3 Sofascore ratingHe's our Player of the Match! ????#PortoInter #UCL pic.twitter.com/j2JYzYWLX2
— Sofascore (@SofascoreINT) March 14, 2023
An outstanding performance from the Cameroonian, who leads the Champions League for saves (37) and clean sheets (5) this season.
Right-back: Matteo Darmian – Inter Milan
A fantastic performance from the defender in tough conditions in Portugal, with the ex-Manchester United man epitomising the battling spirit from his side at Porto.
So often the 33-year-old was in the right place at the right time to disrupt attacks from the home side, covering errors from several teammates in a disciplined defensive display. Operating on the right-hand side of a back three, his intelligent positioning helped deal with the pace of Porto’s forward line.
Best 8️⃣ in Europe ????????#inter #forzainter #portointer #UCL pic.twitter.com/zStzpWYCO8
— Matteo Darmian (@DarmianOfficial) March 14, 2023
Centre-back: Eder Militao – Real Madrid
Eder Militao is maturing into one of Europe’s best centre-backs with the Brazilian again impressive as Real Madrid shut out a lacklustre Liverpool to reach the quarter-finals. After a crucial goal in the first leg, Militao produced a determined defensive showing in the second leg as Real won 1-0 to move into the last eight.
Militao was alert and aggressive in his defending and showcased improving confidence in possession as he stepped forward into midfield and broke lines. His partnership with Antonio Rudiger has the impressive ingredients required to be the foundation for the Spaniard’s defence.
Cuartos de final! ✌???????? @ChampionsLeague @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/Hb7rkSqIJO
— Éder Militão (@edermilitao) March 16, 2023
Centre-back: Kim Min-Jae – Napoli
Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti this week called Kim Min-Jae ‘the best centre-back in the world right now’ and the South Korean’s reputation continues to enhance with each performance.
The centre-back recorded another clean sheet as Napoli shut out Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs to reach the quarter-finals, with confidence growing that the runaway Serie A leaders can mount a challenge for the Champions League.
Min-Jae lived up to his ‘Monster’ nickname with a dominant defensive performance, allowing the Bundesliga side little chance of rescuing the tie in the second leg. He might just be one of the most sought-after players of the summer transfer window, amid rumours of a modest release clause.
Left-back: Nathan Ake – Manchester City
Pep Guardiola opted for four recognised central defenders to deal with the threat of RB Leipzig this week, a tactic that worked well as Manchester City swatted aside the Bundesliga side to reach the last eight.
Erling Haaland might have stolen the headlines with a five-star showing at the Etihad, but the performance of Nathan Ake deserves praise. Operating at left-back, the Dutchman completed 91.1% of his passes, 100% of his take-ons and won eight duels.
Nathan Aké's game by numbers vs RB Leipzig:
100% take-ons complete
100% tackles complete
91.1% passing accuracy
91 touches
8 duels won
2 chances created
1 interception
1 clearanceAnother brilliant performance. ???? pic.twitter.com/X3Wfqt94iH
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 14, 2023
Having come close to leaving the club last summer, Ake is now arguably the first name on the team sheet for Guardiola defensively. He is enjoying a fine season and has been the most consistent performer among City’s defensive options.
Midfield: Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid
Is this kid really just 20?
Watching Camavinga you’d be forgiven for thinking the midfielder was a veteran performer, such is the maturity and confidence he shows at the heart of the side. The Frenchman was brilliant in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Liverpool, showcasing the talent and temperament which has seen him come-of-age to take a starting role in the team since the turn of the new year.
Eduardo Camavinga's game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
100% shot accuracy
100% take-ons completed
100% long pass accuracy
93% final ⅓ pass accuracy
10 passes into final ⅓
5 x possession won
4 duels won
2 fouls won
2 clearances
1 interceptionRemember, he's only 20 years old. #UCL pic.twitter.com/QLgEqfpI4Y
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) March 15, 2023
Premier League clubs courted Camavinga during the January transfer window, but there’s good reason Carlo Ancelotti called the midfielder ‘untouchable’. An underrated part of the club’s Champions League success last season, his coolness could be crucial once again as the latter stages heat up.
Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
A vintage performance from Kevin De Bruyne who was involved in everything as Manchester City sent out a statement of intent.
City equalled their biggest ever win in this competition with a 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig at the Etihad, with De Bruyne a joy to watch as he carved out chances with passes of perfect weight. A thumping effort from distance led to Erling Haaland’s second goal, before De Bruyne rounded off the win with a special strike of his own.
Kevin De Bruyne puts the icing on the cake ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/lSt3Z6nZcx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2023
More like it from the brilliant Belgian after a comparative dip from his extraordinary standards. A positive sign for Pep Guardiola to have his big names fit and firing in Europe.
Midfield: Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter Milan
Excellent and cool in the heat of battle against Porto this week, Calhanoglu produced a man-of-the-match performance in Inter’s goalless draw at the Estádio do Dragão.
Composure personified, the Turkish midfielder recorded a game-leading 96% pass accuracy, completed 100% dribbles, created two chances and made a huge 11 ball recoveries. Calhanoglu symbolised a relentless shift from Inter in Portugal, as the visitors hung on on occasion to book their place in the last eight.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu ????@Inter || #UCL pic.twitter.com/z2ZzDQYF7J
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 14, 2023
The 29-year-old has adapted brilliantly to a new role as the conductor of this Inter side this season and ranks second in Serie A for chances created. He will be crucial to the club’s hopes of progressing deeper into the Champions League.
Forward: Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior has been a thorn in the side of Liverpool in recent meetings and was again influential as Real Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals.
The Brazilian thrived in the space vacated as Liverpool sought to get back into the tie, coming close on occasion to opening the scoring during the first-half and toying with Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 22-year-old was too good, too sharp, and shone in both legs of the tie as the holders dumped out last season’s runners-up.
No player was dribbled past more times in the Champions League this week than Trent Alexander-Arnold against Real Madrid (6).
Vinícius Júnior is his worst nightmare. #UCL pic.twitter.com/q9739syrbU
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 15, 2023
Vinicius set-up Karim Benzema’s second-half winner at the Bernabeu and earned acclaim from his manager, as Carlo Ancelotti hailed the winger as ‘the best in the world’.
Forward: Victor Osimhen – Napoli
Napoli breezed into the quarter-finals and it was the club’s leading scorer who did the damage against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Victor Osimhen made it 23 goals for the campaign with a brace against the Bundesliga side, rising high to power home a header from Matteo Politano’s cross, before finding himself in the right place to turn in Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s centre for a second.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man ????
Victor Osimhen rises highest to put Napoli in full control ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/oMKyM3EgKF
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 15, 2023
The Nigerian has tormented Serie A defences all season and is spearheading Napoli’s challenge in Europe. None of the remaining quarter-finalists will want to draw the Italian league leaders in Friday’s draw.
Forward: Erling Haaland
Just ridiculous.
Erling Haaland’s season just keeps on getting better, with the forward becoming just the third player to score FIVE goals in a Champions League fixture this week. RB Leipzig had no answer to the Norwegian, who helped himself to a first-half hat-trick with a penalty and two poacher’s efforts.
Gimme five! ✋???????? #mancity #UCL pic.twitter.com/REPP5m8lkp
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) March 14, 2023
Haaland added two more in the second half to take his total to 39 goals in all competitions this season, breaking Manchester City’s all-time club record in mid-March. The levels he could reach – both this season and in the coming campaigns – are frightening.
Guardiola’s 63rd-minute substitution of the 22-year-old might just have been an act of mercy towards City’s shell-shocked opponents.
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