After this week’s fixture, the faces of the teams making it past the Group stage are revealing. Some players played phenomenally to put their respective teams in qualifying positions. Let’s look at Champions League Gameweek Five Team of the Week, a starting 11 of top players. This week’s squad is presented in a 4-3-3 formation.
GK: Lukáš Hradecký (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Although Leverkusen conceded twice against Atletico Madrid, the Finnish international is still the best-performing goalkeeper in our eyes. He pushed the German team away from total elimination by saving Carrasco’s injury-time penalty. Luck maybe was on his side as the rebounds hit the woodwork and then hit another player, bouncing away. We hope to see this performance again from Hradecký as they fight for a spot in the Europa League.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
DF: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
Alessandro Bastoni was phenomenal against Plzen this week. With a quick one-two punch on the left wing, the center-half sling in a pinpoint cross to Mkhitaryan to open the deadlock. And from then it is all Inter Milan. The young Italian showed maturity and focus and was solid when Plzen was able to advance the ball. Bastoni is someone big teams need to watch for the future.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
DF: Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich)
Only 23 years of age, Matthijs de Ligt was the leader of Bayern’s defense against Barcelona this Wednesday. He was Robert Lewandowski’s worst nightmare that day, following wherever he went and putting pressure as soon as the striker touched the ball. The Dutchman even made a crucial last-line tackle on Lewandowski at the end of the first half. A rock-solid performance got him his Man of the Match. Bayern’s center-back competition is heating up!
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
DF: Leo Østigård (SSC Napoli)
What a way to debut in the Champions League! Twenty-two-year-old Leo Østigård is another diamond in the rough Napoli presents to the football world this year. He played calmly for a first-timer, read plays perfectly, and blocked every chance from Rangers. And on his first shot on goal, he got his first Champions League goal to seal the match. We look forward to the Norwegian’s development in the coming years!
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
DF: Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa)
Despite PSG’s demolishment, Abdoulaye Seck was Maccabi Haifa’s bright spot. Facing against some of world football’s most skilled ball handlers, Seck wasn’t dribbled past once. And not to mention, he scored two goals. How many people could say they scored a brace against mighty PSG? Seck is definitely one. Great shout-out to the great Abdoulaye Seck.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
MF: Sandro Tonali (AC Milan)
AC Milan’s domination against Dinamo Zagreb owed a lot to Sandro Tonali. He was everywhere and absolutely bossed the midfield. Tonali contributed to two goals as well. He placed a great ball for Matteo Gabbia to open the scores, then forced a penalty to make it three-nil. Sandro Tonali once again proved why he is one of AC Milan’s most irreplaceable pieces.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
MF: Otavio (FC Porto)
The Portuguese maestro of FC Porto. Otavio showed why he had that captain band on his arm. Club Brugge was the only club with a clean sheet left until Otavio’s FC Porto arrived. He contributed two assists en route to a four-star victory. That win secured them a spot in the Round of 16 thanks to a fantastic performance from their skipper.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
MF: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
There have been questions about the winger’s form and determination in recent games. But Serge Gnabry proved the haters wrong in Bayern’s emphatic victory against Barcelona. The Chef served up three beautiful assists to Mane, Choupo Moting, and Pavard and almost curled one in himself had it not been marked offside. Maybe the magic is the change of hairstyle? It works for Sane and now Gnabry. Bayern fans sure hope to see that vintage Serge Gnabry continues to fly.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
FW: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
A brace and two assists, a ten out of ten from SofaScore. That is enough said about Kylian Mbappe’s performance against Maccabi Haifa. He strayed far to the left flank this game and was a tornado coming down the wing. Number 7 was virtually unstoppable with his speed and topped things off with fine finishing skills. Nobody should ever doubt this man’s talent.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
FW: Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto)
The lucky player on the receiving end of Otavio’s assists was no other than Mehdi Taremi. The Iranian was cool, calm, and collected and knew where to put the ball past Mignolet. He was the factor that Porto was missing in the first leg against Club Brugge. Now that he’s back with a brace, they paid back fully the four goals the Belgian squad gave them.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
FW: Lionel Messi (PSG)
Just simple GOAT things: two goals, two assists, and another Man of the Match! What can we say about this alien of a man? Had it not been for the crossbar, he could’ve got his hattrick. Another unbelievable performance! Lionel Messi has aged like fine wine.
Fantom Sports’ Champions League Team of The Week spot: Earned!
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