The UEFA Champions League’s final four is set following the completion of the competition’s quarter-finals.
Manchester City have reached the semi-finals for a third consecutive campaign after completing the job at Bayern Munich, and will face Real Madrid in a rematch of last season’s classic. The other tie is also one not to miss, as the two Milan sides go head-to-head for a place in the final.
Following this week’s quarter-final action, we’ve selected our Champions League Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan – AC Milan
Mike Maignan was excellent once again as AC Milan reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2006/07. The goalkeeper was composed with the ball at his feet and alert off his line to deal with danger, as Napoli struggled to find a way past the Rossoneri rearguard.
Maignan’s penalty save from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the highlight in a commanding performance from the Frenchman, who on current form is one of European football’s best number ones.
Mike Maignan has saved 14 out of 45 penalties he’s faced in his career ???????? pic.twitter.com/4gRy85qESU
— 433 (@433) April 18, 2023
The future of the France national side is, literally, in safe hands with Maignan having conceded just one goal in the Champions League’s knockout rounds to date.
Right-back: Davide Calabria – AC Milan
Davide Calabria had the unenviable task of shackling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this week, but the right-back competed brilliantly in his duel with Napoli’s dangerman.
Calabria won eight tackles, nine ground duels and made six clearances, as a 1-1 draw in Naples booked AC Milan a semi-final date with city rivals Inter. Their captain was a major part of that success, after a display of determined defending against one of Europe’s best widemen.
Against Napoli, Davide Calabria won more tackles (8) than he completed passes (7).
Destroyer. ???? pic.twitter.com/0ZQsj94yrD
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 19, 2023
Centre-back: Ruben Dias – Manchester City
Outstanding again, from Manchester City’s defensive rock.
Dias produced a magnificent display of defending as City drew 1-1 at Bayern Munich to reach a third consecutive semi-final, with the Portugal international standing strong in the face of firm pressure from the home side.
The 25-year-old appears to have the bit between his teeth in City’s pursuit of trophies this season, willing to throw his body on the line – including one goal-line clearance at Bayern – for the cause. City are unbeaten since his return from injury and that statistic is no coincidence. Arguably the best centre-back in the world right now.
Ruben Dias’ first half by numbers vs. Bayern Munich:
95% pass accuracy
2/2 ground duels won
2 clearances
2 tackles won
1 goal line clearance
1 block
1/1 long ball completedCrucial intervention. ???? pic.twitter.com/4l49sHl1Qu
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 19, 2023
Centre-back: Simon Kjaer – AC Milan
AC Milan’s defensive leader was a towering presence as the Italians reached the last four, marshalling his side’s backline and largely keeping Napoli’s Victor Osimhen quiet. Kjaer made eight clearances, won duels and was calm on the ball under pressure as Napoli sought to get back into the tie.
His reaction to Mike Maignan’s penalty save showcased his leadership, as the Denmark defender cut short the celebrations of his teammates to organise Milan’s defence for the resulting set-piece.
Left-back: Federico Dimarco – Inter Milan
Federico Dimarco was at his creative best as Inter Milan reached the semi-finals after a thrilling draw with Benfica.
Inter took a two-goal lead into the second leg and progressed after a 3-3 draw at the San Siro in the return, with Dimarco providing two assists for Simone Inzaghi’s side. The wing-back burst into the box to tee up Lautaro Martinez for Inter’s second, before his pass led to Joaquin Correa putting the tie beyond Benfica.
Federico Dimarco recorded TWO assists against Benfica in the 2nd leg alone ????
Such an underrated player that deserves more credit. Inter's CATALYST ⚫️???? pic.twitter.com/b6uJSIPDrz
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) April 20, 2023
An outlet all evening, it’s now four goals and seven assists in all competitions for Dimarco this season, the best return of his career.
Midfield: Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich might have faced an almost impossible challenge to turn around their tie with Manchester City, but Joshua Kimmich was certainly not prepared to give up the fight.
The midfielder fought well in an ultimately losing battle for Bayern, with aggressive work off the ball and unerring composure in possession. Always available and demanding of the ball, Kimmich tried and tried as the Bundesliga champions fought to get back into the game.
Joshua Kimmich’s game by numbers vs. Man City:
89% pass accuracy
84 touches
55 passes completed
4/4 long balls completed
3 ground duels won
3 shots
2 interceptions
2 crosses completed
1 block
1 key pass
1 goalGreat performance for a losing cause. ???? pic.twitter.com/WO6IPD4dD6
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 19, 2023
Kimmich scored a late leveller on the night from the penalty spot, the first spot-kick of his senior career.
Midfield: Fede Valverde – Real Madrid
All-action as ever from Fede Valverde, whose work rate is a crucial cog in Real Madrid’s engine room. Valverde ran the length of the Stamford Bridge pitch to set up one chance against Chelsea, before driving into the box to assist Rodrygo’s second goal.
Valverde’s intensity is a vital part of the pressure Real Madrid apply high up the pitch, with the Uruguayan now producing the numbers to match his insatiable work-ethic. He has 12 goals and six assists in all competitions, each career-best numbers for the 24-year-old.
Valverde was everywhere tonight for Madrid ????⚪️ pic.twitter.com/IBg19UTVvw
— LiveScore (@livescore) April 18, 2023
Right-wing: Kingsley Coman – Bayern Munich
The best player on the pitch during the first half of Bayern Munich’s draw with Manchester City, Coman was the one player who looked capable of making inroads back into the tie.
Coman gave Nathan Ake a torrid time as the defender struggled against the winger’s speed and sharp movement, while one brilliant spin away from Manuel Akanji led to a chance for Jamal Musiala.
Electric at times and a nightmare one-against-one, the France international needed more from those around him in the final third as Bayern crashed out in the quarter-finals for the third straight season.
Left-wing: Rafael Leao – AC Milan
What a talent.
Leao led AC Milan’s counter-attacking game against Napoli and often took the game to the home side alone. It was his driving run that led to a penalty for Milan, before a wonderful assist for Olivier Giroud after the forward had missed that earlier spot-kick.
Leao’s assist was out of this world as he glided forward past a succession of challenges before squaring for Giroud to tap home, the sort of individual brilliance that has become the norm for the Portugal international. If Milan are to reach a first final since 2007, he will be the key to their chances.
Giroud wasn't going to miss that one!
Leão with one of the best solo runs you will ever see ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/W4i9QLFnb2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2023
Forward: Rodrygo – Real Madrid
Rodrygo just loves the Champions League’s knockout rounds.
After crucial goals against Chelsea and Manchester City in last season’s competition, the forward is hoping history can repeat itself after two goals against the former this week.
Rodrygo was the bright spark of the Real Madrid front three at Stamford Bridge and scored twice to send the Spaniards into the semi-finals, arriving into the box to tuck home two close-range chances.
????✨ Fútbol de salón.
????️️ @FedeeValverde
⚽️ @RodrygoGoes#UCL pic.twitter.com/HBFSXFaIpE— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 20, 2023
Forward: Lautaro Martinez – Inter
Lautaro Martinez ended his recent run without a goal to send Inter Milan into the Champions League semi-finals.
Martinez scored his side’s second on the night with a clinical finish from Federico Dimarco’s cross, the standout moment of a fine centre-forward performance from the World Cup winner.
Lautaro Martínez puts Inter back ahead on the night ⚽️
A long way back for Benfica now… #UCL pic.twitter.com/6wEqZbgD1u
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 19, 2023
The Argentine had earlier set up Nicolo Barella’s opener at the San Siro, to complete a performance that saw the forward win five ground duels, complete three dribbles, make two key passes, score and assist.
This was more like it from Martinez, as Inter set up a mouthwatering Milan showdown with AC in the last four.
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