Champions League Team of the Round: Bayern dominate after Chelsea pounding

 

We have now concluded the first legs of the last-16 stage in the Champions League with many ties evenly balanced. Atalanta will consider themselves home and dry after a 4-1 victory over Valencia, while defending champions Liverpool have it all to do after a 1-0 defeat away to Atletico. Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from the complete list of first leg matches.

 

Goalkeeper: Peter Gulacsi (RB Leipzig) - 8.04 rating

 

RB Leipzig were good value for their 1-0 victory away to Tottenham but still required former Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi to be on red alert to snuff out any threat to his goal. The 29-year-old earned his clean sheet with five saves and claimed the WhoScored Man of the Match award.

 

Right-back: Hans Hateboer (Atalanta) - 8.54 rating

 

Atalanta ensured their first ever Champions League knockout game was one to remember, as they celebrated a 4-1 win at home to Valencia. Hans Hateboer helped himself to two goals in the victory, his first ever in the competition. He scored from both of his attempts, while also winning three aerial duels.

 

Centre-back: Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham) - 7.23 rating

 

It was a bitterely disappointing night for Tottenham against RB Leipzig and Jose Mourinho set them up for their defence to soak up a lot of pressure. You can count on one hand how many players performed relatively well, with Davinson Sanchez one of those. The Colombia international managed seven clearances, two more than he managed in his previous four appearances in the competition this season combined.

 

Centre-back: Marcal (Lyon) - 7.76 rating

 

Lyon arguably pulled off the shock result of the round to inflict a 1-0 defeat at home to Juventus in midweek. What was most impressive about the result was Lyon prevented Juventus from having a single shot on target and their defenders deserve huge credit. Marcal found himself as a centre-back in a back three on Wednesday and thrived. The 31-year-old made seven clearances and four tackles and interceptions combined to alleviate the pressure on Lyon's goal.

 

Left-back: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) - 8.60 rating

 

Alphonso Davies provided yet another breathtaking display from left-back, as Bayern all but put them name in draw for the next round at Chelsea's expense. Davies showed tremendous pace and power in the built up to assisting Robert Lewandowski and completed six dribbles in total at Stamford Bridge. At just 19, the sky is the limit for Davies.

 

Central midfield: Thiago (Bayern Munich) - 8.17 rating

 

Thiago turned in a typically polished display in Bayern Munich's mauling of Chelsea to help put his side firmly in the driving seat in their last-16 tie. The Spaniard completed 92.2% of his attempted passes - a personal best in the competition this season and was key in turning over possession with nine tackles and interceptions combined.

 

Champions League Team of the Round: Bayern dominate after Chelsea pounding

 

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 8.36 rating

 

Manchester City were made to work hard for their win away to Real Madrid on Wednesday, with Kevin De Bruyne completing the turnaround with a penalty in their 2-1 victory. De Bruyne inspired City's turnaround with the assist for Gabriel Jesus' equaliser before ending City's penalty woes with a perfect spot-kick past compatriot Thibaut Courtois. De Bruyne registered four key passes in total and also completed three dribbles.

 

Cental midfield: Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid) - 8.39 rating

 

For someone that doesn't find the back of the net often, Saul Niguez has a remarkably knack of scoring important goals. The Atletico Madrid midfielder scored the winner against Liverpool, his 10th strike in his Champions League career. Remarkably, every single one of his goals in the competition has been the opening goal of the game. The 25-year-old also made four tackles and interceptions combined and three clearances against Liverpool to help Atletico over the line.

 

Forward: Josip Ilicic (Atlanta) - 8.94 rating

 

You don't just hvae to be an emerging superstar to enjoy a breathtaking campaign, with 32-year-old Josip Ilicic enjoying the best season of his career. Ilicic netted a stunning long range effort in Atlanta's thrashing of Valencia, his first ever goal in the Champions League. Ilicic completed 94% of his attempted passes against Valencia, registered three key passes and completed five dribbles.

 

Forward: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 9.44 rating

 

Robert Lewandowski is the highest WhoScored rated player from the last-16 first leg matches after playing a direct hand in all three of Bayern Munich's goals in their 3-0 win away to Chelsea. Lewandowski has now scored 11 goals in the Champions League this season, his best ever haul in a single season in the competition. Lewandowski netted once against Chelsea and assisted both of Serge Gnabry's goals.

 

Forward: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich) - 9.22 rating

 

Former Arsenal academy graduate Serge Gnabry has thoroughly enjoyed trips back to London this season after scoring twice against Chelsea on Tuesday to add to his four-goal haul away to Tottenham in the group stage. Gnabry has remarkably now scored as many goals in London in all competitions this season as Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Champions League Team of the Round: Bayern dominate after Chelsea pounding