Champions League Team of the Week from the quarter-final second legs, as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid reached the last four.
Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin – Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s hero in the shootout success over Manchester City, it’s been some season for Lunin who began the campaign as third-choice goalkeeper at the Bernabeu.
The 25-year-old made eight saves as the Spanish side came under huge pressure at the Etihad before stops from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw Real Madrid progress on penalties. He’s having an unexpected role in Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s challenge for a record-extending 15th European crown.
???? Andriy Lunin has faced 26 career penalties and he’s saved 10 of them! pic.twitter.com/4Bn9ucGaa2
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 18, 2024
Right-back: Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
The best player on the pitch as Bayern Munich beat Arsenal to reach the semi-finals. In at right-back, the German shut Gabriel Martinelli out of the game and was influential at the other end, creating four chances and completing 93.3% of his passes.
The decisive moment of the tie came from Kimmich, who powered into the penalty box unmarked to head home the winner from Raphael Guerreiro’s cross. The general for the German giants, who cannot afford to lose him this summer.
Joshua Kimmich with the breakthrough ???? pic.twitter.com/SIYyput9xd
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 17, 2024
Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid
Erling Haaland must hate playing against this man. Rudiger came out on top in their duel once again, with Manchester City’s leading scorer substituted in extra-time after another ineffective European performance.
Rudiger made four clearances and blocked five shots at the Etihad, and although he errored for Manchester City’s equaliser, he atoned for that mistake by converting the winning penalty.
He’s been crucial over the two legs for Carlo Ancelotti and his side.
THIS IS REAL MADRID !!! We always fight – we always believe – we never give up! HALAAAA MADRID!!!! ???????????? #UCL #Hustle #AlwaysBelieve pic.twitter.com/ZURNfqx7Ys
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) April 17, 2024
Centre-back: Eric Dier – Bayern Munich
Eric Dier’s move to Munich in January caused a surprise as Spurs offloaded the out-of-favour defender to the German giants. The 30-year-old is now preparing for a Champions League semi-final after a strong defensive performance from Bayern Munich against Arsenal.
Dier won 100% of his aerial duels (4/4), won four tackles, was not dribbled past, and completed 92.2% of his passes as Bayern earned a 1-0 win to progress to the last four. The ex-Tottenham man admitted afterwards it was a sweet moment eliminating the club’s north London rivals.
Eric Dier masterclass ???? pic.twitter.com/BAGcRGHa0N
— Bayern & Football (@MunichFanpage) April 17, 2024
Left-back: Ian Maatsen – Borussia Dortmund
Another English football outcast set for the semi-finals is Ian Maatsen. After struggling for minutes at Chelsea, Maatsen signed on loan for Borussia Dortmund in January and has slotted impressively into Edin Terzic’s plans.
The 22-year-old was a real live-wire in Dortmund’s 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid, scoring the second with a crisp finish into the far corner.
Midfield: Marcel Sabitzer – Borussia Dortmund
Marcel Sabitzer took on a central role as Borussia Dortmund beat Atletico Madrid in a thriller to reach the semi-finals.
The all-action Austrian set up Ian Maatsen for the host’s second of the night, before charging forward to cross for Niclas Füllkrug to head home and level the tie at 3-3. The best was saved for last, however, as Sabitzer’s sweet strike nestled into the far corner to book Dortmund a date with Paris Saint-Germain in the last four.
▪️ Two assists
▪️ Winning goalMarcel Sabitzer was crucial in Dortmund’s win against Atletico ???? pic.twitter.com/kE4FrVe5qc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 17, 2024
Midfield: Federico Valverde – Real Madrid
Effort is the bare minimum for world-class footballers and Federico Valverde is never short of that. The Uruguayan midfielder was everywhere as Real Madrid knocked out holders Manchester City, with the Spanish side forced to work hard out of possession as Pep Guardiola’s team dominated the ball.
A monster performance from Valverde who produced 120 minutes of lung-busting intensity without compromising his quality on the ball. Arguably the man of the match in both legs of the tie, he is irreplaceable. What a player.
Midfield: Julian Brandt – Borussia Dortmund
The catalyst for Borussia Dortmund’s comeback win against Atletico, Brandt kickstarted a memorable night for the German side with a low finish squeezed under Jan Oblak. From there, almost everything positive ran through Brandt, who was at the heart of a fearless performance from Edin Terzic’s men.
It’s now nine goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Brandt this season, who is knocking on the door for a Germany recall ahead of Euro 2024.
Right-wing: Ousmane Dembele – Paris Saint-Germain
Dembele seemed to revel in the jeers that greeted his return to Barcelona, and as he did in the first leg the Frenchman made a telling impact. The winger silenced the home crowd with a thumping finish to equalise just before half-time and later won the penalty that saw Paris Saint-Germain take the lead in the tie.
In between he was a constant threat, completing four dribbles and winning five ground duels. Dembele even afforded himself a wry smile upon his second-half substitution, as boos rang out around the home crowd.
Ousmane Dembélé haunts Barcelona AGAIN ????
Dembélé is free at the far post to kickstart PSG’s fightback!#UCL
???? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MQRTB704aU
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2024
Left-wing: Raphael Guerreiro – Bayern Munich
A surprise selection further forward in the absence of Serge Gnabry, Guerreiro rewarded Thomas Tuchel’s show of faith with an excellent shift. He doubled up well defensively with Noussair Mazraoui to keep Bukayo Saka quiet against Arsenal and offered a real threat in the final third.
The Portugal international’s cross picked out Joshua Kimmich for the winner, while he came close to scoring himself.
Forward: Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain
Kylian Mbappe grew into the game to extend his impressive record against Barcelona. Mbappe scored a brace to send Paris Saint-Germain into the semi-finals, confidently converting his first from the spot to hand the French side the aggregate lead.
He steered in a second to seal the 4-1 win, taking his total to a tournament-leading eight goals in the Champions League this season. Not quite at his brilliant best, but decisive. It’s 41 goals for the campaign for Mbappe who might just be timing a run at the Ballon d’Or, with the Champions League and European Championship in his sights.
Kylian Mbappe has scored more goals (8) in the Champions League this season than any other player.
Has the Ballon d’Or run started? ???? pic.twitter.com/wxmGOq4P8F
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 16, 2024
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