Our Champions League Team of the Week following the first legs of the inaugural play-off round.
Goalkeeper: Timon Wellenreuther – Feyenoord
In for the injured Justin Bijlow, Wellenreuther impressed as Feyenoord became the first Dutch team since 2007 to win a Champions League knockout game at home. The German made six saves as the Eredivisie outfit shut out AC Milan with a 1-0 win at De Kuip.
Centre-back: Federico Gatti – Juventus
Juventus’s best performer on the night against PSV. Gatti got himself on the scoresheet after roaming forward and was disciplined defensively. He made four clearances, and four interceptions and won 6/9 duels. The Italian barely misplaced a pass all evening, with 98.2% pass completion.
Centre-back: Nicolas Otamendi – Benfica
The veteran is still going strong and helped Benfica battle to a 1-0 win at AS Monaco. The Argentine racked up five clearances and won a mammoth 10 defensive duels en route to a clean sheet. A last-man challenge ensured the Portuguese side left the principality with a narrow lead.
Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck – Borussia Dortmund
At ease in Portugal as Borussia Dortmund cruised to an impressive 3-0 win at Sporting Lisbon. Schlotterbeck made six ball recoveries and four clearances, while his ball-playing credentials shone through. He completed nine accurate long passes and made 10 passes into the final third. No defender in Europe’s top five leagues has averaged more progressive passes per 90 (14.32) than the German this season.
Midfield: Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain
An excellent midfield outing. Vitinha opened the scoring in PSG’s 3-0 win at Brest from the penalty spot and was at the hub of a professional performance from the Parisians. He completed 8/9 long balls and 97.7% of his passes in an immaculate evening.
Midfield: Weston McKennie – Juventus
Weston McKennie has been written off more times than we care to count but he keeps winning the trust of Juventus managers. Thiago Motta is the latest to have been convinced by the American’s energy and adaptability. A brilliant goal has given Juventus the lead in their tie with PSV Eindhoven.
The speed of that shot 🚀
Weston McKennie came in clutch for Juventus. #UCL #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/YEVWKFVij0
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 12, 2025
Right-wing: Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
A joy to watch. Michael Olise is enjoying his first season on this stage. The Frenchman scored his fifth goal of the Champions League campaign with a beauty as Bayern beat a stubborn Celtic in Scotland. There was a touch of Arjen Robben about the strike, with Olise emerging as the next brilliant Bayern winger.
WHAT A ROCKET 🚀
Michael Olise cuts in from the right, and rifles a left footed strike into the roof of the net to give the German side the lead in Glasgow ⚽️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/d23nAyqs3X
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Left-wing: Igor Paixão – Feyenoord
Igor Paixão has been a shining light of Feyenoord’s season. The Brazilian made it six goal involvements in nine Champions League games with the decisive goal as the Dutch side beat AC Milan at De Kuip. It was the highlight of another lively outing from the 24-year-old, who is on the watch list of several top sides.
Forward: Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund
Serhou Guirassy stretched his run in this season’s Champions League to 10 goals after starring during Borussia Dortmund’s win at Sporting. The Guinea international is now the competition’s leading scorer outright and has matched a club record held by Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland for goals in a single Champions League this season. He has scored or assisted in all nine of his Champions League appearances for Dortmund.
🛫🎯 @ChampionsLeague #alhamdulillah pic.twitter.com/3pVCuh8EFQ
— Serhou Guirassy (@Guirassy_19) February 12, 2025
Forward: Ousmane Dembele – Paris Saint-Germain
Is there a player in better form anywhere in Europe? Dembele’s scintillating run continued with two goals as PSG took control of their tie with a 3-0 win at Brest. He fired in at the near post to double the lead after Vitinha’s opener, before putting the game beyond their Ligue 1 rivals after the break. It’s now 18 goals in 11 games for Dembele who is in the form of his career.
Ousmane Dembélé’s form in 2025 🥵
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⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/TtkAGPROPy— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 11, 2025
Forward: Erling Haaland – Manchester City
On the losing side but his quality ensures Manchester City remain in the tie. Despite limited involvement, he turned in his first goal against Real Madrid at the sixth attempt before sending Thibaut Courtois the wrong way from the spot. It’s now 49 goals in 48 Champions League games for the Norwegian.
Read – Champions League Awards: Olise’s Golazo, Vini has last laugh
See more – Five moments that have defined Manchester City and Real Madrid’s rivalry
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