TThis week saw the intrigue that characterizes the Champions League, with two penalty shootouts and two other games that were not a done deal until the last minute. The team below is a 4-3-3 in a week where full-backs and wingers shined.
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak, Atlético Madrid. After a wait that stretched back to 2016, we had two penalty shootouts and the chance for four goalkeepers to be heroes. Two goalkeepers made two saves on penalties, with David Raya taking the plaudits as Arsenal celebrated victory over Porto. But for the legacy of the Champions League, Oblak takes the cake. By challenging Inter’s players, the Slovenian achieved a third shootout victory, a record for the competition. Alexis Sánchez was the first save, then came Davy Klaassen, before Lautaro Martínez chose the Chris Waddle 1990 techniquerocked by a goalkeeper who is still one of the very best.
Defender: Jules Koundé, Barcelona. If Napoli were disappointing at Montjuic, with their opponents Barcelona not exactly reaching the top, then credit must be given to a defense that kept the Italian club’s attackers very quiet and saw the Catalans progress to the quarter-finals. Koundé had to deal with one of the toughest details in football when he was asked to look after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But Napoli’s Georgian winger failed to make much of an impact as he looked to be back to his form from last season in Serie A.
Defender: Ben White, Arsenal. Porto’s visit to the Emirates will be remembered for the battles, but also for the fact that Arsenal’s defenders kept their courage and patience despite provocations. White, who was given a new contract by Arsenal on Thursday, continued his own good form for the Gunners. He kept Porto’s dangerous attackers, Galeno and Evanilson, quiet. The latter was eventually eliminated after an ineffective display.
Defender: Pepe, Porto. Goodbye then, Pepe? Or will there be one last dance? The old boy has had a brilliant Champions League season with Porto and there was little sign of a dip in standards at the Emirates, even though he was at the scene when Leandro Trossard scored. At the age of 41, Pepe seemed to have little trouble dealing with Arsenal’s pacey attackers and remained dominant in the air. His defensive organization was also important in frustrating Arsenal. A player who was once a villain of European football has become beloved.
Defender: Wendell, Porto. Speaking of tough disciplines for full-backs, another excellent performance came from Wendell on Porto’s left. Bukayo Saka had frustrating nights, with the experienced Brazilian cutting his chances. Saka stabbed his penalty with venom as if relieving the tension resulting from Wendell breathing down his neck. Some old-fashioned values were used to hinder Saka, but they were effective in curbing his influence.
Midfielder: Marcel Sabitzer, Borussia Dortmund. It’s been quite a week for Manchester United alumni, with Sánchez’s penalty miss and Jadon Sancho and Memphis Depay both on the scoresheet. Sabitzer, a lower profile former United player, starred this week. Dortmund struggled to control the second leg against PSV before going through 3-1 on aggregate, but the Austrian, who spent half of last season on loan at Manchester, completed 90% of his passes, screened the defense and carried contribute to his team’s attacks. He was Dortmund’s unsung hero and reached the last eight.
Midfielder: Declan Rice, Arsenal. It used to be known as the ‘Arsenal Round’, with the Gunners dying every year in the last 16. Now, as in the Premier League, Rice’s presence provided extra security and although he played further forward than usual, he contributed his usual role of mopping up problems. He also made it clear he wouldn’t be impressed by Porto’s gamesmanship, dropping a well-taken penalty. That’s what added £100 million to Arsenal.
Midfielder: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal. If Rice brings leadership and responsibility to Arsenal, their actual captain does much the same, but in his own creative way. Odegaard’s assist for Trossard’s goal was brilliant. He drew Porto defenders in with a strong run before slipping his colleague into a position from which he could barely miss. Apart from that, Odegaard, who is coming into form at the right time, made repeated runs into the heart of Porto’s defence. He lives up to what was expected of him in his teenage years and is one of the best players in Europe.
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Forward: Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund. Some players can be outsiders at certain clubs and the right choice at others. Sancho was a flop at Manchester United but was brilliant on his return to Dortmund. His weekend goal against Werder Bremen was followed by a long, low-flying attack against PSV. Walter Benítez might have done better, but the goal showed that the Sancho we see for Dortmund is full of awareness and danger, a contrast to the moribund United version.
Forward: Memphis Depay, Atlético Madrid. Another player who is living a much better life now that he is away from Manchester United, even though his association with the club ended in 2017. Depay was the substitute who saved Atlético with a thumping late goal, just when it looked like Inter could hold on. While Antoine Griezmann had shown his enduring class by knocking on the door and scoring a rather fortunate equalizer, it took Memphis’ energy, like mad, to knock down the door and find space to shoot into the goal that took the tie. in extra time.
Forward: Raphinha, Barcelona. One of those players who have epitomized Barcelona’s inability to rediscover their glory through the transfer market, the club has indicated its willingness to sell Raphinha. His performance against Napoli suggested he could be useful to Xavi for the remainder of the manager’s tenure and put himself in the shop window as well. His role in Barcelona’s two early goals turned the tie in his team’s favour. He provided an assist for Fermín López and then hit the post before the ball bounced to João Cancelo and headed to home plate.