Man City's Foden stars in Champions League Team of the Week
After the first round of Champions League last 16 matches, we take a look back at the standout performers from the week’s action, with PSG the dominant side in our best XI after their 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad. Also included in our team of the week are players from Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid) - 8.78
Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin continues to shine in the absence of number one stopper Thibaut Courtois, and the Ukraine international registered the best rated goalkeeping performance in the Champions League this season with his display against RB Leipzig on Tuesday (8.78). Lunin made a total of nine saves at the Red Bull Arena to ensure the visitors left with all three points and a crucial clean sheet.
Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid) - 7.49
Los Blancos’ injury crisis has led to midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni taking up a berth in the centre of Carlo Ancelotti’s backline, and the Frenchman has looked right at home. Against Leipzig, the 24-year-old made two tackles, five interceptions and three clearances to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.49.
PSG captain Marquinhos earns a place in the week’s best XI after his 7.39-rated showing in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad. The Brazilian won a total of four aerial duels and made two tackles, four clearances and an interception in a strong defensive display.
Joining Marquinhos in defence is PSG teammate Danilo Pereira, whose efforts helped the French side to a clean sheet and first-leg advantage over Real Sociedad at Parc des Princes. Danilo won three aerial duels and three tackles in his 72 minutes on the pitch to return a WhoScored rating of 7.37.
Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 8.91
With a WhoScored rating of 8.91, Manchester City star Phil Foden is the Champions League player of the week. The 23-year-old carried over his impressive league form for Pep Guardiola’s side into Europe on Tuesday evening when he provided the assist for Kevin De Bruyne’s early opener, before finding the net himself in the 91st minute to seal a two-goal advantage heading into City’s second leg.
Former Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz takes a spot in our team of the week after a classy display against Real Sociedad on Wednesday night. The Spanish midfielder provided the assist for Bradley Barcola’s 70th minute goal, which doubled the Parisians’ lead, while he also made two tackles, three interceptions, three key passes and maintained a pass success rate of 96.5% to land a WhoScored rating of 7.84.
Partnering Ruiz in midfield is PSG teammate Vitinha, who made three tackles, three clearances, an interception and a key pass in the victory over Real Sociedad on his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.61.
Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) - 7.83
Introduced as a substitute after injury to Jack Grealish early in the first half, Belgian winger Jeremy Doku dazzled in Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen. The 21-year-old, as we’ve come to expect, completed a haul of dribbles - five in total - and made two key passes, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.83.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 8.27
Doku’s teammate for both club and country, Kevin De Bruyne, also earns a place in our best XI, having scored and provided an assist in the win in Denmark. Since returning from injury, De Bruyne has looked every bit his best, and that form continued on Tuesday night. The 32-year-old let fly with a total of seven attempts on goal, while he also made two key passes to take home a WhoScored rating of 8.27.
Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) - 8.69
In the absence of Jude Bellingham, it was Brahim Diaz who stepped up as Real Madrid’s match-winner against RB Leipzig on Tuesday night, and in some style. The 24-year-old danced past a couple of defenders before finding the far corner with a stunning strike, which would eventually seal victory for the Spanish side. As well as his goal, Diaz made four key passes and six successful dribbles to land a WhoScored rating of 8.69.
Despite the seemingly ever-present noise about his future, PSG’s Kylian Mbappe continues to provide when it matters, and he did so against Real Sociedad on Wednesday evening. The France international poked the hosts in front 13 minutes into the second half, after what had been a somewhat cagey first half, while he also completed two dribbles to register a WhoScored rating of 7.94.
