Champions League round-up: Assessing Wednesday's star men

 

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Monaco: Antoine Griezmann (8.19 rating) 

 

Despite the absence of key players Diego Godin and Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid ran out comfortable 2-0 victors at the Wanda Metropolitano, despite playing the final 10 minutes with 10 men. Antoine Griezmann (8.19) was the star man for the La Liga side, assisting Koke’s goal after two minutes before getting on the scoresheet midway through the first half, his fourth in the competition this season, with those coming from respective returns of two key passes and five shots. Two successful dribbles and two tackles contributed to a fine outing from the Frenchman. 

 

Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 Galatasaray: Grzegorz Krychowiak (8.35 rating) 

 

Lokomotiv Moscow secured their first Champions League win of the season with a 2-0 win over Galatasaray and bolstered their chances of a Europa League spot with the comfortable victory. Grzegorz Krychowiak (8.35) got the ball rolling for the Russian side, netting on the stroke of half time, that coming from one of four shots, while additional returns of two tackles and one interception helped cap off a memorable display from the Pole. 

 

Tottenham 1-0 Inter: Jan Vertonghen (7.67 rating) 

 

Making his first start since September following injury, Jan Vertonghen (7.67) put in a display expected of him as he made more interceptions (7) than any other player in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Inter. Could have scored, too, to cap off a excellent showing, but headed just wide from close range after being picked out by Christian Eriksen. 

 

 

PSG 2-1 Liverpool: Neymar (8.09 rating) 

 

Netted what proved to be the winning goal in PSG’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, Neymar (8.09) was hugely influential in the final third. He completed just two dribbles, a poor return by his standards, but could have had an assist having made two key passes for the French side. Has now scored four Champions League goals this season, with his goal tonight coming from four shots and means he is the highest scoring Brazilian player in Champions League history. 

 

Napoli 3-1 FK Crvena Zvezda: Marek Hamsik (8.54 rating) 

 

Controlled proceedings in the middle of the park in Napoli’s comfortable home win as he set the home side on their path too victory early on. Marek Hamsik (8.54) then turned provider for Dries Mertens’ second and Napoli’s third early in the second half to wrap up all three points. Made two key passes and returned a 92.5% pass success rate in a dominant midfield performance. 

 

FC Porto 3-1 Schalke: Eder Militao (7.93 rating) 

 

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Eder Militao (7.93) and fans will have been happy with what they saw tonight in FC Porto’s 3-1 win over Schalke. The defender netted early in the second half to set the hosts on their way and chipped in with returns of two tackles, three interceptions and four clearances in a sound showing. 

 

PSV Eindhoven 1-2 Barcelona: Lionel Messi (9.47 rating) 

 

His first non-perfect 10 performance in the Champions League, Lionel Messi (9.47) was still hugely influential in Barcelona’s 2-1 win on Wednesday night. The Argentine had a direct hand in both goals, with his one goal coming from six shots and one assist from five key passes as he led the Barcelona line in Luis Suarez’s absence impressively. Also made two tackles and completed two dribbles in another stunning outing. 

 

Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Club Bruges: Sofyan Amrabat (7.87 rating) 

 

This was far from a classic in Germany, but a 0-0 draw was enough for Club Bruges to wrap up a Europa League spot. Sofyan Amrabat (7.87) was the star man in this stalemate as he worked tirelessly off the ball to disrupt Borussia Dortmund’s attacking quality, making three tackles and four interceptions, and attacked well as he completed four dribbles.

Champions League round-up: Assessing Wednesday's star men