Finalists Man City and Chelsea run riot in Champions League Team of the Week

 

And then there were two. Manchester City and Chelsea both ran out fairly comfortable winners in midweek to set up an all-English Champions League final in Istanbul at the end of the month. City secured a 2-0 win at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday and Chelsea followed up with the same result 24 hours later at home to European giants Real Madrid.

 

Here we run through the best rated XI from the midweek action and it should come as no surprise that players from City and Chelsea fill every position in the team.

 

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) - 7.73 rating

 

Chelsea should have really scored four of five goals against Real Madrid but they did need goalkeeper Edouard Mendy at his best to ensure it was a relatively straightforward night's work. Mendy produced two superb saves to deny Karim Benzema in the first half, the first coming just moments before Chelsea took the lead themselves. Mendy has now kept eight clean sheets in 11 appearances in the Champions League this season.

 

Right-back: Kyle Walker (Man City - 8.35 rating)

 

Kyle Walker turned in his second best performance of the season in midweek and was rewarded with a kiss on the cheek by his manager Pep Guardiola. Walker did a superb job keeping Neymar quiet on Tuesday night, weighing in with more tackles and interceptions combined than any other player involved in midweek (9). Walker also made three clearances to help City keep a clean sheet, while completing as many dribbles (2) as his previous five appearances in the competition combined.

 

Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea) - 7.21 rating

 

Antonio Rudiger lost Karim Benzema in the box for his headed attempt but was otherwise superb for Thomas Tuchel's side. The Germany international played an important role in general, constantly barking orders out and telling others when they fell short of the standards required. He even stood tall to Sergio Ramos when the Real Madrid defender threw his captain, Cesar Azpilicueta, to the floor. Rudiger made three tackles on Wednesday night, more than he had managed in the Champions League all season (2 in nine appearances) and also helped lift the pressure with four clearances.

 

Centre-back: Ruben Dias (Man City - 7.20 rating)

 

Ruben Dias once again demonstrated why he is one of the best defenders around with a remarkable showing against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek. The Portugal international put his body on the line time and time again, even taking shots to the face, as he successfully blocked three shots. Dias also completed in excess of 90% of his passes for the seventh Champions League game in a row. It's easy to forget he is just 23. What a signing he has been for City.

 

Left-back: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Man City) - 7.43 rating

 

Oleksandr Zinchenko almost ruined all of his good work after getting involved in an altercation with Leandro Paredes towards the end but was left in tears at the final whistle after helping his side through to their first Champions League final. Zinchenko played a really key role in City's dominance, constantly driving forward down their left-hand side. Zinchenko played a perfect cut-back to Kevin De Bruyne that eventually led to City's opener and was effective in defence with five tackles and interceptions combined. The 24-year-old also completed 95.7% of his attempted passes.

 

Right wing: Riyad Mahrez (Man City) - 9.70 rating

 

Riyad Mahrez claims our Champions League player of the week award after scoring both of City's goals in midweek. Mahrez reacted quickes to De Bruyne's blocked shot to tuck away in the first half before lifting Phil Foden's cross over a helpless Keylor Navas late on to send City through to the final. Mahrez was in fact the WhoScored Man of the Match over both legs against PSG. On Tuesday, he had four shots, registered two key passes; completed five dribbles and won four fouls.

 

Central midfield: Jorginho (Chelsea) - 8.00 rating

 

An early booking for Jorginho felt like it could have been decisive in the tie but the midfielder kept his head and barely put a foot wrong from there on out. The 29-year-old has come in for plenty of criticism since moving to England but showed what a good midfielder he is against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. Jorginho was key in preventing the likes of Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema from seeing much of the ball with six interceptions, only two fewer than the entire Madrid team. Jorginho even created two goalscoring chances in midweek and typically completed 92.1% of his attempted passes.

 

Finalists Man City and Chelsea run riot in Champions League Team of the Week

 

Central midfield: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea) - 7.67 rating

 

Jorginho and N'Golo Kante worked beautifully in tandem in midweek, with the latter providing the energy that Madrid simply could not live with. Kante was instrumental in both goals, breaking up play and driving forward high up the pitch. Kante was simply too sharp and too good for the likes of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. He even won two aerial duels! Kante made five interceptions and three key passes. The Frenchman should have really capped off his evening with a goal but was denied by Thibaut Courtois.

 

Left wing: Phil Foden (Man City) - 8.52 rating

 

Rio Ferdinand hailed Phil Foden as the best young player on the planet after City's win over PSG on Tuesday and it's hard to argue against the former Manchester United defender. Foden was again in scintillating form for City, putting Mahrez's second goal of the night on a plate for him. The 20-year-old had three shots himself, completed as many dribbles and even weighed in with two tackles to help see City over the line.

 

Striker: Kai Havertz (Chelsea) - 7.81 rating

 

It's been a difficult first season for Kai Havertz at Chelsea but he demonstrated his class on the biggest stage on Wednesday. He was unlucky not to score after his delightful chip bounced back off the crossbar for Timo Werner to nod in and was then denied by the woodwork again after his brilliant header crashed off the frame of the goal in the second half. Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand were in awe of his performance after the game and said he has the special ability to slow play down when in possession. He gave Sergio Ramos and Nacho a tough time at the back, with three successful dribbles and four attempts on goal.

 

Striker: Timo Werner (Chelsea) - 7.86 rating

 

It looked like Timo Werner was going to endure another of those frustrating nights after he had a goal chalked off for offside on Wednesday night but he was eventually presented with a chance even he could not miss. Werner gratefully headed into an empty net after Havertz's own effort kissed the woodwork. Werner's pace and runs in behind were a real problem for Real Madrid all evening.

Finalists Man City and Chelsea run riot in Champions League Team of the Week