Champions League team of the week: Joselu and Hummels steal the show

Two second legs that both reached a dramatic crescendo, one with late goals, the other with late misses, set up a Wembley final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin, Real Madrid

It should probably be mentioned that this accolade made its way to the safe hands of Manuel Neuer, who rolled back the years until his catastrophic mistake gave Real Madrid the equalizer. Gregor Kobel is a worthy candidate, although in reality the Paris posts did much of the work for the Dortmund goalkeeper. PSG posted an xG of 5.36 in the draw but could not find the back of the net. Instead, Lunin gets the prize after some smart saves at the Bernabéu. The Ukrainian, who has replaced Thibaut Courtois with distinction all season, could also do little to stop Alphonso Davies’ miracle goal.

Defender: Julian Ryerson, Borussia Dortmund

The Norwegian defender was so confident in dealing with PSG’s attack – including Kylian Mbappé – that it begged the question why his country (who also have Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland)) will not be present at the European Championships this summer. Ryerson can play on either flank. From the left, his fierce, disciplined defense helped turn heads among PSG’s attackers. He finished with two tackles, four clearances and a key interception. Dortmund coach Edin Terzić calls Ryerson his ‘pit bull’. Towards the end, Mbappe could do little more than fall to the ground in despair.

Defender: Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund

This position could go to Hummels’ central partner, Nico Schlotterbeck, who was equally excellent at the Parc des Princes. But as goalscorer, and later substitute Marco Reus, Dortmund’s spiritual leader, Hummels made excellent use of the opportunity, just as he did by nodding home the decisive goal in the tie. That opened up the opportunity for Hummels himself to guide Dortmund’s team of rejected players back to Wembley, the scene of their last defeat to Bayern in 2013.

Defender: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid

In England, the draw between Bayern and Real will in any case be remembered for Thomas Tuchel beating Harry Kane in the 85th minute, a decision that the Munich coach cursed in the eyes of many. That position put an end to Rudiger’s calming of Kane, apart from the move for Bayern’s only goal. After that, the Bayern goalkeeper didn’t see enough of the ball, Rüdiger and Nacho knocked the ball away from him when it was sent his way. Kane was limited to less than 0.8% of the ball on Wednesday night, which said a lot about his isolation as Bayern found themselves in a deeper defensive block. The ball no longer stuck to his feet, meaning Kane was an ineffective outlet, and so the change was made.

Defender: Nuno Mendes, PSG

Dortmund’s win in Paris was followed by a lot of talk about Jadon Sancho thumbing the noses of Manchester United and Erik ten Hag by reaching the Champions League final. That rather ignores the fact that Sancho, while hard-working enough, had a negligible impact on the game. The Englishman was limited to just three successful dribbles from six attempts and was dispossessed once. That was thanks to Mendes, who also made a significant contribution to that increasingly frenzied wave of PSG attacks.

Midfielder: Emre Can, Borussia Dortmund

The leader of Dortmund is not Hummels, nor Reus, but Can. The prodigy who struggled at Liverpool and Juventus has become the mature link between defense and attack, and as Paris stepped up their chase, his composure and brawn played a major role in making their chase in vain. The fact that PSG was kept scoreless was thanks to a huge and organized effort. “We fight for each other,” Can said afterwards. “We did a great job and that’s why we deserve to be here.”

Midfielder: Warren Zaire-Emery, PSG

If this was Mbappe’s last stand, PSG’s campaign has shown that he will leave behind a lot of talent. Zaire-Emery only turned 18 in May, but he was a mainstay in Luis Enrique’s push to the semi-finals. When Parisian heads began to fall on Tuesday, it was the teenager, not Mbappe, who took the lead in the bid to get back into the final. tie. He was one of four PSG players to hit the woodwork, but kept pushing and pressing until the end.

Midfielder: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid

The Uruguayan was the lungs of the Madrid midfield, with Aurélien Tchouaméni sitting deeper to protect Toni Kroos, whose passing was not as effective as in the first leg. That pair were replaced by Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modrić as the tie reached fever pitch, but Valverde’s energy and constant search for an opening continued. Jude Bellingham, playing through the pain, couldn’t make much of an impact. The feeling remains that Valverde would be a star player in virtually any other team. In Madrid he is a brilliant support act.

Forward: Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich

An early crash in the first half, Davies looked to have wrestled the tie into Bayern’s hands by scoring a brilliant goal in the 68th minute, not bad for a first goal in the competition – and for someone who has been linked with a possible move to Madrid this summer.

On the left of Bayern’s attack after replacing Serge Gnabry, his defensive experience also came in handy. It looked like he could be decisive in a draw that Tuchel’s side seemed to have taken control of.

Forward: Joselu, Real Madrid

Another replacement, another contribution to Stoke City’s appearance indelible Champions League legacy. And a player whose fame should fill the hearts of every honest professional. He scored just ten league goals for Stoke and Newcastle in 68 league appearances, but an itinerant career that also included a spell at Real Madrid B culminated with two decisive strikes to deny Bayern Munich. The first was a predatory grab from a rebound, the second a stab from a well-chosen position.

Forward: Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid

If Mbappé is to play in Madrid, he will be teammate with a player who, despite being two years younger, has shown a mastery of the Champions League that has thus far eluded the Frenchman. Although Madrid appeared to sag as Tuchel’s tactics denied them victory, it was Vinicius who provided the outlet and hope they could find a way back. Joselu’s equalizer came when Neuer dropped Vinicius’ shot. If that was tame, it was a nervous reaction to the danger the Brazilian always brings on this stage. The world’s best? He’s in the conversation.